| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, The Graford High School boys' basketball team once |
|
|
again proved itself one of the finest in the Lone Star State by |
|
|
winning the 2023 University Interscholastic League 1A state |
|
|
championship on March 11 at the Alamodome in San Antonio; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, During the regular season, the Jackrabbits dropped |
|
|
just three games, and they claimed the District 21-1A title with a |
|
|
perfect record against their league rivals; Graford advanced |
|
|
through the playoffs with decisive victories over Nocona Prairie |
|
|
Valley, Sulphur Bluff, Slidell, Gordon, and Huckabay High Schools |
|
|
to reach the state tournament for the ninth time in program history; |
|
|
in the semifinals, the team easily dispatched Benjamin High School |
|
|
66-42 to claim a berth in the state finale; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Graford matched up against Jayton High School in a |
|
|
thrilling championship showdown; the teams battled to a 41-all tie |
|
|
at the end of regulation; in overtime, the Jackrabbits cranked up |
|
|
the defensive pressure to triumph 49-44 and claim their second |
|
|
consecutive state crown, closing out a storybook season with a |
|
|
record of 37 wins and only 3 losses; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Championship game Most Valuable Player Colin |
|
|
Roberts and Christian Shea were 1A All-Tournament picks for |
|
|
Graford; the team also received significant contributions |
|
|
throughout the year from the other members of the roster: Landon |
|
|
Cobb, Nick Bloxham, McKennon Lemley, Cye Lemley, Reed Ferguson, |
|
|
Connor Waters, Brad Lemley, Kamdyn Richardson, Jayden Welch, Noah |
|
|
Perry, and Jess Lemley; these talented student-athletes were |
|
|
directed by head coach Jeff Bell and assistant coach Jarod |
|
|
Westmoreland; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, By winning back-to-back state titles, the Graford |
|
|
Jackrabbits have burnished their school's reputation for |
|
|
basketball excellence, and they may indeed reflect with pride on a |
|
|
job well done; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
|
|
Legislature hereby congratulate the Graford High School boys' |
|
|
basketball team on winning the 2023 UIL 1A state championship and |
|
|
extend to the players, coaches, and staff sincere best wishes for |
|
|
continued success; and, be it further |
|
|
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
|
|
prepared for the team as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
|
|
House of Representatives. |