SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 436

WHEREAS, The Hitchcock High School boys' basketball team closed out a historic campaign by winning the 2023 University Interscholastic League 3A state championship; and

WHEREAS, Hitchcock began its journey to the title with an impressive run in the regular season, winning the district crown with a perfect record of 14-0 against league opponents; continuing to excel in the playoffs, the Bulldogs dispatched Shepherd, Diboll, Orangefield, Lorena, and New Waverly High Schools to earn the school's fourth state tournament appearance; with a 69-36 blowout victory against Hooks High School in the semifinals, the team punched its ticket to the state finale for the first time since 2003; and

WHEREAS, On March 11, Hitchcock battled for the title against Childress High School; the Bulldogs trailed early in the first quarter but led 28-20 at halftime and stymied their foe's comeback attempt in the third frame; holding a six-point advantage entering the fourth quarter, the team erupted on offense, going on a 14-3 run to seal the outcome; emerging triumphant by the final score of 68-45, the Bulldogs claimed the program's inaugural state championship; and

WHEREAS, Hitchcock was led by Championship Game Most Valuable Player Damien McDaniel, who was joined by Lloyd Jones III and Elijah Sherwood on the 3A All-Tournament Team; the Bulldogs also received valuable contributions throughout the year from the other members of the roster: Isaac Garza, Kelshaun Johnson, Taron Elam, Bryce Dorsey, Tahara Goins Jr., Kamari McNeal, Tyler Crear, Trevor Gregory, and Jayden Saxton-Rivera; these determined student-athletes were ably guided by head coach Christopher Jordan-Foster and assistant coaches Rogers Davis and Lloyd Jones; and

WHEREAS, Winning a state championship represents the culmination of countless hours of hard work and an unwavering commitment to excellence, and the Hitchcock Bulldogs will treasure the memory of this accomplishment for the rest of their lives; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th Legislature, hereby congratulate the Hitchcock High School boys' basketball team on winning the 2023 UIL 3A 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 Bulldogs as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.

Middleton

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 18, 2023.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate