By Alexander                                           H.R. No. 478

         75R9214 JHS-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The Malakoff High School girls' basketball team is

 1-2     to be commended for its exceptional season and for providing

 1-3     longtime Lady Tiger fans with many great memories and a future

 1-4     bright with promise; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, The 1996-97 Region II-3A champions, the Lady Tigers

 1-6     acquitted themselves admirably in their first season at the Class

 1-7     3A level, reeling off four straight playoff victories in the state

 1-8     championship tournament and posting a season record of 21-12; the

 1-9     team's record is all the more impressive considering that the Lady

1-10     Tigers' starting five included just two seniors; and

1-11           WHEREAS, First-year coach Keith Smith has schooled his young

1-12     players in hardcourt fundamentals while emphasizing the importance

1-13     of teamwork and sportsmanship both on and off the court; Assistant

1-14     Coach Jeff Gurley also provided much needed support, and his

1-15     leadership and commitment set a winning example for the team; and

1-16           WHEREAS, Dedication to excellence both individually and as a

1-17     team has been a hallmark of the Lady Tigers, whose team members

1-18     include Racheal Crossley, Tiffany Weaks, Tasha Yarbrough, Tara

1-19     Walker, Tonya Jackson, Ashley Massingill, Sonya Jackson, Shonda

1-20     Coleman, Shernett Coleman, Skyja Drinks, and Nikki Drinks; and

1-21           WHEREAS, These talented young women have rallied the students

1-22     and faculty of Malakoff High School and have given the team's many

1-23     supporters in the community an opportunity to proudly display their

1-24     black and gold team colors, and the team's tremendous season has

 2-1     rightfully earned it special legislative recognition; now,

 2-2     therefore, be it

 2-3           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

 2-4     Legislature hereby congratulate Head Coach Keith Smith and the

 2-5     Malakoff High School Lady Tigers on their exceptional season and

 2-6     extend to them sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be

 2-7     it further

 2-8           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

 2-9     prepared for the team and coaching staff as an expression of high

2-10     regard by the Texas House of Representatives.