A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE CROSS SCHOOLS GIRLS VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM ON WINNING THE SOUTH CAROLINA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ASSOCIATION 1A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were pleased to learn that the Cross Schools girls varsity basketball team took home the South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA) 1A State Championship title on February 23, 2024, with a score of 47-43 against Curtis Baptist; and

Whereas, the championship game was a nail-biter, and the cheers of exuberant fans filled the Sumter Civic Center as the game unfolded. Both teams were operating at peak performance, and the scores remained close for much of the game. The Cross Schools Stingrays were leading 25-23 when the Curtis Baptist Crusaders scored ten straight points to go up 33-25 with 42 seconds left in the third quarter; and

Whereas, maintaining their resolve despite the sudden point deficit, the Stingrays managed to get the score to 33-29 entering the fourth quarter with a jump shot by Lex Maldonado and two free throws by Genesis Wilson, but not long after that the Crusaders secured three more points bringing the game to 36-29 with Curtis Baptist in the lead. Baskets from the Stingray's Lex Maldonado and Ryan Mayers brought the score to 36-33 before the Crusaders hit a free throw. Consecutive 3s from RJ Benson and Sydney Hollings gave Cross a 39-37 lead with 4:15 left in the game. By the time there were 2 minutes and 54 seconds left in the game, the score was 44-42 in favor of Cross. Nobody would score again until the Crusaders hit a free throw with 27 seconds left and then the Stingray's RJ Benson hit a free throw with 25 seconds left, making the score 45-43. A Crusaders turnover gave the ball back to the Stingrays, allowing RJ Benson to hit two free throws with 14 seconds left to win it all; and

Whereas, reflecting on their victory, Head Coach Matthew Fisher-Davis said, "We knew we were going to come out with a win … we were able to overcome adversity like we had all season."; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives values the pride and recognition that the Cross Schools girls basketball players have brought to their school and community, and the members 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 Cross Schools girls varsity basketball team, coaches, and school for an extraordinary season and congratulate them on winning the South Carolina Independent School Association 1A State Championship.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Head of School Joseph Almeida and to Head Coach Matthew Fisher-Davis.

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