A house RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE THE EAST COLUMBIA YOUTH BASKETBALL LEAGUE BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM ON CAPTURING THE 2023 SCAP DIVISION 1 10U STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN BOYS BASKETBALL AND TO HONOR THE TEAM'S EXCEPTIONAL PLAYERS, COACHES, AND STAFF.

Whereas, for nearly fifty years, the East Columbia Youth Basketball League (ECYBL) has served the Lower Richland community as the longest-running community-led subagency of the Richland County Recreation Commission (RCRC). The tradition of teaching the life lessons of teamwork, sportsmanship, and perseverance through the game of basketball is passed from generation to generation, as many of its dedicated coaches were once players in the ECYBL; and

Whereas, after becoming South Carolina Athletic Programs (SCAP) Central District champions on February 25, 2023, twelve players selected from fifty-six athletes in the ECYBL teams for boys 9-10 years old claimed the 2023 SCAP Division 1 10U State Championship in boys basketball. The team captured the title on March 5, 2023, in a double-elimination tournament held in Mauldin; and

Whereas, Kingston Cunningham, Emoni Ladson, Daitwan Shell, Kingston Huguenin, Davon Byrd, Jr., Jackson Ware, Amari Staley, Brandon Dreher, Jr., Dylan Smith, Braylon Gibson, Tristan Highsmith, and Leighton McLaughlin represented the East Columbia Youth Basketball League in the title competition; and

Whereas, the team was led by Coaches Joshua Tucker, Gerald Gibson, and Rodrick Starks and was supported by All-Star Coordinator Toni Reese-Tucker and Age-Group Coordinator Darrian Alston; and

Whereas, the House of Representatives takes great pleasure in recognizing the young players of the ECYBL boys basketball team for leading with excellence both in the classroom and on the court, and the members expect to hear of continued great achievements in the years ahead. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate the East Columbia Youth Basketball League boys basketball team on capturing the 2023 SCAP Division 1 10U State Championship in boys basketball and honor the team's exceptional players, coaches, and staff.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Coaches Joshua Tucker, Gerald Gibson, and Rodrick Starks of the East Columbia Youth Basketball League.

----XX----