88R18743 CW-D
 
  By: Meyer H.R. No. 626
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, The boys' basketball team of Lake Highlands High
  School closed out an unforgettable year by winning the 6A state
  title at the 2023 University Interscholastic League Basketball
  State Championships; and
         WHEREAS, Lake Highlands began its journey to the title by
  clinching the district crown with an unbeaten record against its
  league rivals; the Wildcats then surged through the playoffs,
  besting Arlington Bowie, Plano East, Arlington Martin, North
  Crowley, and Byron Nelson High Schools to reach the state
  tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio; a 52-44 semifinals win
  over DeSoto High allowed Lake Highlands to punch its ticket to the
  finale for the first time since 1968; and
         WHEREAS, The March 11 state title game pitted No. 1 Lake
  Highlands against No. 2 Beaumont United High School, the 5A state
  champion for the past two seasons; after trailing 31-27 at
  halftime, the Wildcats turned up the offensive heat to lead by five
  points entering the fourth quarter; Lake Highlands then
  demonstrated its strength down the stretch, unleashing an 11-2 run
  to seal the outcome; emerging victorious by the final score of
  55-44, the Wildcats claimed the second basketball state
  championship in school history and ended the year with a 24-game
  winning streak; and
         WHEREAS, Most Valuable Player Tre Johnson paced Lake
  Highlands with a game-high 29 points, and he was joined by Samson
  Aletan on the 6A All-Tournament Team; over the course of their
  campaign, the Wildcats also received vital contributions from the
  other members of the roster: Jaylen Washington, Ila Jehl, Khaleel
  Thomas, Quinton Perkins, Warren Hamilton, Chidi Umeh, Logan
  Strayhan, Jaire Williams, Ethan Davis, Beck Johnstone, Lewis
  Racine, Issaiah Tate, and Elias Dement; these talented
  student-athletes were ably guided by head coach Joe Duffield and
  assistant coaches Richard Johnson, Zac Haug, Dominique Kirk, and
  Tre Stewart; and
         WHEREAS, Winning a state championship represents the
  culmination of countless hours of hard work and an unwavering
  commitment to excellence, and the Lake Highlands Wildcats are a
  source of great pride to their school and their many community
  supporters; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
  Legislature hereby congratulate the Lake Highlands High School
  boys' basketball team on winning the 2023 UIL 6A 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 team as an expression of high regard by the Texas
  House of Representatives.