A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE Heathwood Hall girls varsity basketball TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR A REMARKABLE SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2023 SOUTH CAROLINA Independent School Association CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the members of the Heathwood Hall basketball team of Richland County captured the state title at the state tournament held at the Sumter County Civic Center on Saturday, February 25, 2023; and

Whereas, Heathwood's Lady Highlanders defeated Northwood Academy 79-49 amid the wild cheers of their exuberant fans, to win the program's fourth all-time state championship; and

Whereas, Northwood Academy got out to an 8-0 lead in the first quarter, but the Lady Highlanders quickly erased that deficit with an 18-0 run of their own and never trailed in the game again. Heathwood stole the ball often, and the Lady Highlanders converted them into layups, adding momentum to the game; and 

Whereas, with an unrelenting combination of full-court-press defense and fast-break offense, they pummeled their opponents with layup after layup, leading 25-15 after the first quarter, 53-26 after the second, and 68-32 after the third; and

Whereas, although Heathwood is losing two starting seniors, Virginia Bowers who posted 4 points and  Emily Frick who added 3, the 2024 season for the Highlanders is quite promising; and

Whereas, four returning sophomores were Heathwood's high scorers in the championship game: point guard Lauren Jacobs scored 28 points; guard Sabreya Monsanto added 15; reserve guard Shamarie Hayes posted 12; and guard Sydney Cunningham had 6; and

Whereas, starting junior Camillea Gore matched Cunningham's 6, and freshman guard Amariea Spriggs contributed 5 points, both underclass athletes adding to a hopeful future for the Lady Highlanders in the next few years; and

Whereas, Heathwood finished the season with an almost perfect record of 26-1 under the leadership of Head Coach Brionna Zimmerman, a 2005 graduate of Heathwood and the Lady Highlanders all-time leading scorer.  The only loss the team had all season was a non-conference game to a team from Australia; and

Whereas, this was the first state championship for Heathwood since 2014 when A'ja Wilson bolstered the team to victory as the centerpiece for the Highlanders.  She is now a WNBA star and MVP with the Las Vegas Aces, after having completed an impressive career at the University of South Carolina; and

Whereas, in a sport that exacts teamwork, speed, and precision, Coach Zimmerman and her skilled coaching assistants maximized their athletic experience and passion to produce a championship-caliber team and teach these athletes life principles that will endure beyond the courts; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives values the satisfaction and respect that the Heathwood basketball players have contributed to their school and their community, and the members look forward to following their continued achievements in the days to come.  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 Heathwood Hall girls varsity basketball team, coaches, and school officials for a remarkable season and congratulate them for winning the 2023 South Carolina Independent School Association Class 4A State Championship title.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to George Scouten, Head of Upper School, and to Coach Brionna Zimmerman.

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