H.R. No. 1073
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, The members of the girls' basketball team from
  Ponder High School distinguished themselves during the 2020-2021
  season, advancing all the way to the semifinals of the University
  Interscholastic League 3A playoffs; and
         WHEREAS, During the regular season, the Lady Lions compiled
  an outstanding record of 24 wins and 3 losses, including a perfect
  14-0 tally in league play to claim the district title; Ponder then
  embarked on an exciting postseason run, defeating the teams from
  Dallas Madison, Pottsboro, Rains, and Winnsboro High Schools to
  reach the regional finals; and
         WHEREAS, Squaring off against Gunter High School on March 2,
  Ponder relied on the same stout defense that it had specialized in
  all season long; the Lady Lions' suffocating full-court press
  surrendered just 10 points from the end of the first quarter to the
  start of the fourth, and when the final buzzer sounded, the team had
  claimed a decisive 42-29 victory, punching its ticket to the state
  tournament for just the second time in school history and the first
  time since 1998; and
         WHEREAS, The Lady Lions faced Brownfield High School in the
  semifinals on March 6; in a thrilling game that went down to the
  wire, the Ponder players gave their all but ultimately fell short,
  ending their season with a record of 29-4; and
         WHEREAS, Excelling with a true team effort, the Lady Lions
  received valuable contributions throughout the year from each
  member of the roster: Marlee Moynagh, Tate Wells, Kassi Ballard,
  Karly Ivy, Kenzie Crider, Riley Jackson, Everley Joplin, Chloe
  Poole, and Devyn Weiland; these dedicated athletes were ably guided
  by assistant coach Ellyn Avery and by head coach Jimmy Avery, who
  was honored prior to the state tournament as one of the top 100
  girls' basketball coaches of all time; and
         WHEREAS, Demonstrating a combination of exceptional talent
  and fierce determination, the Ponder Lady Lions turned in a
  memorable performance during the 2020-2021 campaign, and their
  success is a source of great pride to their many supporters in the
  local community; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
  Legislature hereby congratulate the Ponder High School girls'
  basketball team on advancing to the semifinals of the 2021 3A state
  playoffs and extend to the team's players, coaches, and staff
  sincere best wishes for the future; 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.
 
  Parker
 
  ______________________________
  Speaker of the House     
 
         I certify that H.R. No. 1073 was adopted by the House on May
  14, 2021, by a non-record vote.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House