By Laney                                               H.R. No. 501

         75R10459 PAN-D                           

                                 R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The Nazareth High School Swifts boys' basketball

 1-2     team has achieved outstanding success during the 1996-1997 season

 1-3     by reaching the number one ranking in the state and finishing as

 1-4     runner-up at the University Interscholastic League (UIL) Class 1A

 1-5     state tournament; and

 1-6           WHEREAS, Truly one of the Lone Star State's most impressive

 1-7     basketball teams throughout the course of this season, Nazareth

 1-8     High School won 19 consecutive games, ascended to the top ranking

 1-9     in the state, and captured district, bi-district, area, and

1-10     regional championships en route to a berth at the state tournament

1-11     in Austin; and

1-12           WHEREAS, The Swifts faced a talented Molton High School team

1-13     in the semifinal round of tournament competition, but refused to be

1-14     denied, winning 58-51 to advance to the championship game; and

1-15           WHEREAS, The Swifts completed their season with a phenomenal

1-16     record of 32 wins against only five defeats and earned the respect

1-17     and admiration of all who witnessed their spirited performance; and

1-18           WHEREAS, The season's remarkable accomplishments were a

1-19     result of total commitment to the team concept by players Bryan

1-20     Braddock, Nathan Hoelting, Marcus Brockman, Justin Bingham, Nick

1-21     Gerber, Barry Hoelting, Darren Huckert, Billy Cannon, Jerad

1-22     Birkenfeld, Kit Schulte, Dustin Ramaekers, Shane Ethridge, Josh

1-23     Merritt, and Mitch Brockman; and

1-24           WHEREAS, Head Coach Mark Makeever schooled his charges in

 2-1     roundball fundamentals, enabling each of his players to reach his

 2-2     full athletic potential on the court, and he was ably supported in

 2-3     his efforts by his assistant coach, Colby Waldrop; and

 2-4           WHEREAS, This inspirational group of young men, together with

 2-5     their coaches and staff, is a source of tremendous pride to the

 2-6     students and faculty at Nazareth High School and their numerous

 2-7     supporters in the community, and their many notable achievements

 2-8     are indeed worthy of special legislative recognition at this time;

 2-9     now, therefore, be it

2-10           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

2-11     Legislature hereby congratulate the members and coaching staff of

2-12     the Nazareth High School Swifts boys' basketball team on finishing

2-13     the 1996-1997 season as Class 1A runner-up at the UIL state

2-14     tournament and extend to them best wishes for continued success in

2-15     the future; and, be it further

2-16           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-17     prepared for the team members and coaching staff as an expression

2-18     of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.