88R26008 CW-D
 
  By: Price H.R. No. 1943
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, The defending champion Gruver High School girls'
  basketball team continued its exceptional performance during the
  2022-2023 season, once again advancing all the way to the
  University Interscholastic League 2A state title game; and
         WHEREAS, After closing out the regular season with an 11-game
  winning streak and claiming the district crown, the Lady Hounds
  carried their momentum into the playoffs, besting Wheeler,
  Floydada, Farwell, and New Home High Schools to reach the regional
  final; there, with 14 seconds remaining, Gruver made a tip-in off a
  missed three-point shot to defeat Panhandle High School 38-36,
  punching the team's ticket to the state tournament for the fifth
  time in school history; and
         WHEREAS, On March 3, Gruver met Hearne High School in the 2A
  semifinals at the San Antonio Alamodome; the Lady Hounds scored 18
  points off of turnovers and sank 15 free throws to triumph 45-32,
  earning a berth in the state final for the third time in the past
  four years; in the title contest, the Gruver players gave their all
  in a closely contested showdown with Lipan High School; though the
  Lady Hounds finished as the 2A runner-up, their season-long
  achievements burnished the team's proud tradition of success that
  includes state championship victories in both 2020 and 2022; and
         WHEREAS, Gruver was paced at state by 2A All-Tournament
  selections Allie Sparks and Kimber Whitehead; the Lady Hounds also
  received valuable contributions throughout the year from the other
  members of the roster: Giselle Miranda, Alexa Quintana, Makenlei
  Vasquez, Brenna Butler, Brooklyn Vasquez, Jaylee Lane, Maizie Kelp,
  Kinley Callaway, Erin Merkel, and Hannon Lankford; these determined
  student-athletes were ably guided by head coach Trent Lankford and
  assistant coaches Jill Butler, Valerie Merkel, Steven Livingston,
  and Scotty Hintergardt; and
         WHEREAS, With their exceptional skill and unwavering
  commitment to excellence, the Gruver Lady Hounds have earned a
  place among the top high school basketball teams in Texas, and they
  are a source of tremendous pride to their classmates and their many
  supporters in the local community; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
  Legislature hereby congratulate the Gruver High School girls'
  basketball team on advancing to the 2023 UIL 2A state championship
  game and extend to the 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 Lady Hounds as an expression of high regard by the
  Texas House of Representatives.