A concurrent RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THE ROGER C. PEACE ROLLIN' TIGERS WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL TEAM FOR WINNING THE 2023 NATIONAL WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PREP DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP.

Whereas, the Roger C. Peace Rollin' Tigers wheelchair basketball team is the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) Prep Division champion; and

Whereas, the NWBA Prep Division includes youth basketball players from ages 5 to 13 years, with thirty-four teams in the division throughout the country and sixteen teams attending the national tournament; and

Whereas, the Rollin' Tigers constitute the only youth wheelchair basketball team in the State of South Carolina and are part of the Prisma Health Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Hospital's adaptive sports program; and

Whereas, the Rollin' Tigers basketball team players live in various areas in the South Carolina Upstate, including Greenville, Greenwood, Pickens, Clemson, Spartanburg, Gaffney, Anderson, and Simpsonville, as well as Johnson City, Tennessee; and

Whereas, led by team coaches Jeff Townsend and Lindsey Metz, the Rollin' Tigers entered the NWBA Tournament as a number-two seed after being ranked number four in the nation following the 2022 NWBA National Tournament; and

Whereas, a 29-21 win over the Lincolnway Special Recreation Association Hawks of Illinois clinched the 2023 national title victory for the Rollin' Tigers; and

Whereas, the Rollin' Tigers finished the overall basketball season with a record of 22-1, including a win to secure the Southeast Wheelchair Basketball Conference; and

Whereas, three Rollin' Tigers basketball players were honored for their individual performances, including Hudson Tucker, named Most Valuable Player of the National Tournament and second team All-American; Joseph Brady, named second team All-American; and Ethan McWhorter, chosen to receive the Academic Achiever Award. In addition, Coach Jeff Townsend received a leadership award; and

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly are delighted to congratulate the Roger C. Peace Rollin' Tigers on winning the NWBA National Championship and are proud to offer their best wishes for continued success. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and celebrate the Roger C. Peace Rollin' Tigers wheelchair basketball team for winning the 2023 National Wheelchair Basketball Association Prep Division Championship.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Prisma Health Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Hospital's adaptive sports program and to Jeff Townsend and Lindsey Metz, team coaches.

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