H*3981 Concurrent Resolution, By Jennings and Freeman
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEND THE PLAYERS, COACHES, AND STAFF OF THE
 VARSITY MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM OF MARLBORO COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FOR A REMARKABLE
 SEASON OF SPIRITED COMPETITION AND TO CONGRATULATE THE BULLDOGS ON WINNING THE
 2001 SOUTH CAROLINA CLASS AAAA MEN'S BASKETBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

   04/19/01  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-67
   04/24/01  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-21

TO COMMEND THE PLAYERS, COACHES, AND STAFF OF THE VARSITY MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM OF MARLBORO COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FOR A REMARKABLE SEASON OF SPIRITED COMPETITION AND TO CONGRATULATE THE BULLDOGS ON WINNING THE 2001 SOUTH CAROLINA CLASS AAAA MEN'S BASKETBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

Whereas, the Men's Basketball Team of Marlboro County High School completed a spectacular season of twenty-six wins and just two losses and captured the Class AAAA State Title with a win over Greenwood High School in the March 9, 2001, championship game; and

Whereas, the 2000-2001 Bulldogs of Marlboro County High School had their sights set on winning the State Championship this season after making it to the title game last year, and with three returning starters accompanied by several experienced reserves, the team had high expectations from the first day of practice; and

Whereas, the Bulldogs overcame a number of early season challenges and dealt with the tragedy of an automobile accident that injured reserve forward Antoine Morgan and killed Tschana Parnell, a relative of several team members and a friend to all; the team won the Bojangles Christmas Tournament in December in convincing fashion and finished the regular season as Region 5-AAAA champs; and

Whereas, the Marlboro County High School Men's Basketball Team continued its dominance of teams in the region when it won the Region 5-AAAA tournament in February, hammering South Florence 72-41 and crushing Socastee 71-34, and the team entered the State playoffs with just one goal in mind; and

Whereas, the Bulldogs achieved decisive victories over Lower Richland, Battery Creek, and Goose Creek in their first three playoff games, earning them the right to face Greenwood in the Championship game on Friday, March 9, 2001; the team faced stiff competition against Greenwood and clung to a mere two point lead at halftime; the men of Marlboro County High eventually built a 54-41 lead, only to watch the Eagles of Greenwood come tearing back to get within two; in the end, however, it was the Bulldogs who celebrated a 65-62 victory and were crowned the South Carolina Class AAAA State Champions; and

Whereas, the Bulldogs of Marlboro County High School, as led by Head Coach Ken Spencer, came together as a team through hard work, discipline, and a commitment to each other and achieved their preseason goal of claiming Marlboro County High School's first ever basketball state championship. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly commend the players, coaches, and staff of the Varsity Men's Basketball Team of Marlboro County High School for a remarkable season of spirited competition and congratulate the Bulldogs on winning the 2001 South Carolina Class AAAA Men's Basketball State Championship.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Head Coach, Ken Spencer on behalf of the Men's Basketball Team of Marlboro County High School.