H*3556 Concurrent Resolution, By West, Gagnon, Hill, Putnam, White, Alexander, 
Allison, Anderson, Anthony, Arrington, Atkinson, Atwater, Bales, Ballentine, 
Bamberg, Bannister, Bedingfield, Bennett, Bernstein, Blackwell, Bowers, Bradley, 
Brown, Burns, Caskey, Chumley, Clary, Clemmons, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cogswell, 
Cole, Collins, Crawford, Crosby, Daning, Davis, Delleney, Dillard, Douglas, 
Duckworth, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Finlay, Forrest, Forrester, Fry, 
Funderburk, Gilliard, Govan, Hamilton, Hardee, Hart, Hayes, Henderson, Henegan, 
Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Jefferson, Johnson, 
Jordan, King, Kirby, Knight, Loftis, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Mack, Magnuson, Martin, 
McCoy, McCravy, McEachern, McKnight, Mitchell, D.C. Moss, V.S. Moss, Murphy, 
Neal, B. Newton, W. Newton, Norman, Norrell, Ott, Parks, Pitts, Pope, Quinn, 
Ridgeway, M. Rivers, S. Rivers, Robinson-Simpson, Rutherford, Ryhal, Sandifer, 
Simrill, G.M. Smith, G.R. Smith, J.E. Smith, Sottile, Spires, Stavrinakis, 
Stringer, Tallon, Taylor, Thayer, Thigpen, Toole, Weeks, Wheeler, Whipper, 
Whitmire, Williams, Willis and Yow
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE BELTON-HONEA PATH HIGH
 SCHOOL VARSITY BASEBALL TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR AN
 EXTRAORDINARY SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR CAPTURING THE 2016 SOUTH
 CAROLINA CLASS AAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

   01/24/17  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate
                     (House Journal-page 23)
   01/24/17  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence
                     (Senate Journal-page 26)

TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE BELTON-HONEA PATH HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY BASEBALL TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR CAPTURING THE 2016 SOUTH CAROLINA CLASS AAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly is pleased to learn that the members of the Belton-Honea Path baseball team of Anderson County took top honors at the state competition held at St. James High School in Murrells Inlet on May 19, 2016, and at home on May 23, 2016; and

Whereas, to the cheers of their exuberant fans, the Belton-Honea Path Bears defeated the St. James Sharks 1-0 in the first game of the series on May 19, and the Bears again shut out the Sharks 5-0 in the second game on May 23 in the best two-out-of-three series; and

Whereas, this victory marks the second consecutive state championship for Belton-Honea Path, a repeat of the Bears' 1990-1991 back-to back state titles; and

Whereas, winning 21 out of their last 22 games, the Bears mounted an impressive 28-4 season with 16 shutouts, adding the fifth state title to the baseball program at Belton-Honea Path and capturing the eleventh upper state regional championship; and

Whereas, the following players for the Bears have received college scholarships to play baseball: pitcher and first baseman Blake Holliday, South Carolina Player of Year, received a baseball scholarship to Clemson University; pitcher Austin Todd to The Citadel; catcher Dax Roper to Coastal Carolina University; and centerfielder Chase Coker to Newberry College; and

Whereas, not only did his players succeed, but Head Coach Steve Williams also posted a stellar record, exceeding the 500-victory mark this season with an overall record of 508-233; and

Whereas, in a sport that demands strength, strategy, and quickness, Coach Williams and his skilled coaching staff maximized their own experience and passion to hone a championship-caliber team and teach these athletes lessons that will prove invaluable through life both on and off the diamond; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly value the pride and recognition that the Honea Path baseball players have brought to their school and their community and expect to hear of their continued achievements in the days to come. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and commend the Belton-Honea Path High School varsity baseball team, coaches, and school officials for an extraordinary season and congratulate them for capturing the 2016 South Carolina Class AAA State Championship title.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Principal Lester McCall and Coach Steve Williams.