A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE Wren High School basketball TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR AN OUTSTANDING SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2023 SOUTH CAROLINA CLASS AAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the members of the Wren High School basketball team of Anderson County captured the South Carolina Class AAA State Championship title at the tournament held at the University of South Carolina Aiken Convocation Center on Friday, March 3, 2023; and

Whereas, to the cheers of their exuberant fans who showed up in full force, the Wren Hurricanes defeated a fine, competitive Crestwood High School 56-49 in a fast-paced title game to win the first state championship in the program's history and end the season with an impressive 24-7 record; and

Whereas, Wren led 16-12 at the end of the first quarter and 32-27 at the halftime, but the Hurricanes expanded the lead on the Crestwood Knights eight points in the third quarter before the Knights reduced Wren's lead and entered the fourth quarter 42-38 behind the Hurricanes; and.

Whereas, a three-point play in the fourth quarter gave Wren a 45-38 lead with six and a half minutes left to play.  The Hurricanes opened a 49-38 lead with just over four minutes remaining in the game, and Crestwood responded by cutting the lead to 54-49, but the Knights could take it no further; and

Whereas, Wren seniors Jacob McQueen with eight points and Johnathan Whysong with twenty-six points, five rebounds, two assists, two blocked shots, and one steal dominated the game to lead the Hurricanes.   Brock Cherry scored eight points for Wren; Rhett Warga posted seven points and ten rebounds, and Jeremiah Campbell had seven points and five boards.  Whysong, the emotional leader for the team was diving for loose balls and sprinting back on defense, and his teammates followed; and

Whereas, the Hurricanes, celebrating big plays and interacting with the crowd, pressed Crestwood and hit the backboards, keeping the state match close the entire game; and

Whereas, in a sport that demands speed, strength, and accuracy, thirty-nine-year veteran at Wren Head Coach Fran Campbell and his skilled coaching staff maximized their own athletic experience and training to forge a championship-caliber team and teach these athletes lessons that will prove invaluable through life both on and off the courts; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives appreciates the pride and recognition that the Wren basketball players have brought to their school and their community, and the members look forward to following their continued accomplishments in the days ahead, Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor the Wren High School basketball team, coaches, and school officials for an outstanding season and congratulate them for winning the 2023 South Carolina Class AAA State Championship title.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Kyle Whitfield, principal, and to Coach Fran Campbell.

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