By Averitt                                             H.R. No. 596
         76R11389 GMW-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Mexia High School boys' basketball team defeated
 1-2     Seminole High School 77-71 to earn the 1999 UIL Class 3A state
 1-3     championship, and this outstanding achievement is truly deserving
 1-4     of special recognition; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, In their march to the state crown, the Runnin' Cats
 1-6     knocked out the three top-rated schools in the state, beating No. 3
 1-7     ranked Kountze High School in the regional finals, as well as No. 2
 1-8     ranked Clarksville High School, the defending state champions, in
 1-9     the state semifinals, and No. 1 ranked Seminole High School in the
1-10     title game; and
1-11           WHEREAS, Head Coach Terrul Henderson and his assistants,
1-12     Randy Ewers and Joe Fonteneaux, ably prepared the Runnin' Cats for
1-13     the championship showdown with the Indians; this thrilling contest
1-14     showcased Mexia's pressing defense and low-post scoring, enabling
1-15     them to storm from behind late and send the game into overtime, a
1-16     period they would then dominate to claim the state championship and
1-17     improve their record to a stellar 33-5; and
1-18           WHEREAS, The team was led by tournament MVP Rickey Huckaby,
1-19     who notched 25 points, six rebounds, and three steals, and fellow
1-20     all-tournament selection Demar Chambers, who poured in 19 points;
1-21     other standout performers were Tim Hubbard, who blocked several key
1-22     shots, and Jesse Kimbrough, who added 15 points; and
1-23           WHEREAS, This impressive victory would not have been possible
1-24     without the contributions of all the talented team members,
 2-1     including J. T. Brown, Sam Chambers, Willie Jefferson, Tedrick
 2-2     Mathews, Greg Dunn, Freddie Hall, Donavan Smith, John McGilvray,
 2-3     James Collins, Bridger Winsor, and Mikey Guthrie; and
 2-4           WHEREAS, The young champions of the Mexia High School Runnin'
 2-5     Cats basketball team have distinguished themselves as formidable
 2-6     competitors, and as they take pride in their state championship, it
 2-7     is indeed fitting to pay tribute to them for their remarkable
 2-8     accomplishment; now, therefore, be it
 2-9           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-10     Legislature hereby congratulate the members of the Mexia High
2-11     School boys' basketball team for winning the 1999 UIL Class 3A
2-12     state championship and extend to them sincere best wishes for
2-13     continued success and happiness; and, be it further
2-14           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-15     prepared for the Mexia High School Runnin' Cats as an expression of
2-16     high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.