A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE North Augusta HIGH SCHOOL girls VARSITY basketball TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2023 SOUTH CAROLINA CLASS AAAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the members of the North Augusta girls basketball team of Aiken County captured the state trophy at the state tournament held at the University of South Carolina Aiken Convocation Center on Thursday, March 2, 2023; and

Whereas, to the cheers of their exuberant fans, the North Augusta Lady Jackets defeated the reigning state title holder, Westwood High School, 42-29, garnering the program's fifth state championship in seven years; and

Whereas, leading a young lineup for North Augusta, seniors P'eris Smith, who missed a majority of the regular season, and Ansley Gartrell took the state trophy as a fitting end for their high school career.  Freshman Celena Grant and eighth-grader Kenedi Wright played a pivotal role in the semifinal and final games, which shows tremendous potential for the Lady Jackets in the next few seasons; and

Whereas, with an aggressive defense, Westwood took an early 9-2 lead, and North Augusta could only fight back to a five-point deficit by the end of the first quarter.  In the second quarter, the Lady Jackets outscored the Westwood Lady Redhawks 5-1, and at the end of the first half, North Augusta still had a one-point deficit; and

Whereas, in the third quarter North Augusta wasted no time acquiring a 33-20 lead by the end of the period, by remembering what the team had learned in the season of practice.  Although the Lady Redhawks added nine points in the fourth quarter, almost half of what it had taken three quarters for the team to post, it was not enough to overcome the 13-point lead they had surrendered to North Augusta in the third quarter; and

Whereas, in a sport requiring strength, agility, and speed, Head Coach Al Young and his skilled coaching staff maximized their own athletic experience and passion to produce a championship-caliber team and teach these athletes life principles that will endure beyond the court; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are grateful for the pride and recognition that the North Augusta basketball players have brought to their school and their community and look forward to following their continued achievements 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 North Augusta High School girls varsity basketball team, coaches, and school officials for an extraordinary season and congratulate them for winning the 2023 South Carolina Class State Championship title.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Principal John Murphy and Coach Al Young.

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