H*3918 Concurrent Resolution, By J.H. Neal and Bales
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE THE DIAMONDS OF LOWER RICHLAND HIGH
 SCHOOL OF RICHLAND COUNTY ON WINNING THE STATE AND REGIONAL 1999 CLASS AAAA
 BOYS BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS.

   04/14/99  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-35
   04/14/99  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-13

TO CONGRATULATE THE DIAMONDS OF LOWER RICHLAND HIGH SCHOOL OF RICHLAND COUNTY ON WINNING THE STATE AND REGIONAL 1999 CLASS AAAA BOYS BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Whereas, the Diamonds of Lower Richland High School of Richland County captured the 1999 Class AAAA State and Regional Championships, defeating Lexington High School 59-49; and

Whereas, the Diamonds had a winning season with a record of 28-3 with this State Championship being the Diamond's first in boys basketball since 1989; and

Whereas, the Diamonds were ranked number one in the State in preseason rankings and ended the pressure-filled year under the watchful eye and high expectations of sports analysts as the number one high school team in South Carolina; and

Whereas, the team was also ranked fifteenth in the country in high school basketball by USA Today and competed in holiday classic tournaments in Hawaii and Delaware; and

Whereas, the 1999 Lower Richland championship boys basketball team consisted of: Antonio Bannister, Chris Brown, Eric Dugans, Perry Fleming, Ivan Howell, Rolando Howell, Antonio Mays, David Scrivens, Edward Scott, Rashaun Stewart, John Taylor, and Todd Williams.

Whereas, this outstanding group of young men have displayed not only natural athletic ability and precision teamwork, but also they have performed in excellence academically with all four seniors being pursued by colleges and universities for basketball scholarships; and

Whereas, the team displayed personal commitment and great perseverance through many long hours of practice, hard work, dedication and sacrifice; and

Whereas, these fine athletes were guided through the season by the distinguished coaching abilities of Head Coach Carl Williams and Assistant Coaches Mickey Purdy and Kenneth Spells; and

Whereas, Coach Williams has been an exceptional role model, mentor, and internationally known coach, having conducted basketball camps in France and Italy; and

Whereas, this outstanding season would not have been possible without the support, commitment, and encouragement of the team members' parents, families, and friends and the never-wavering support of Lower Richland's Principal, Mr. Titus Duren and Athletic Director, Mr. Darrell Lilly; and

Whereas, the General Assembly is pleased to have this opportunity to recognize and commend this outstanding team, their coaches, and school personnel for a victorious basketball season. Now, therefore,

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

That the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, congratulates the Diamonds of Lower Richland High School, in Richland County, on winning the State and Regional 1999 Class AAAA boys basketball championships.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Coach Carl Williams, the Diamonds Boys Basketball Team, and Lower Richland High School.