H*5106 Resolution, By Allison, Alexander, Anderson, Anthony, Atwater, Bales, 
Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bedingfield, Bernstein, Bingham, Bowers, 
Bradley, Brannon, G.A. Brown, R.L. Brown, Burns, Chumley, Clary, Clemmons, 
Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cole, Collins, Corley, H.A. Crawford, Crosby, Daning, 
Delleney, Dillard, Douglas, Duckworth, Erickson, Felder, Finlay, Forrester, Fry, 
Funderburk, Gagnon, Gambrell, George, Gilliard, Goldfinch, Govan, Hamilton, 
Hardee, Hart, Hayes, Henderson, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hicks, Hill, Hiott, Hixon, 
Hodges, Horne, Hosey, Howard, Huggins, Jefferson, Johnson, Jordan, Kennedy, 
King, Kirby, Knight, Limehouse, Loftis, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Mack, McCoy, 
McEachern, McKnight, M.S. McLeod, W.J. McLeod, Merrill, Mitchell, D.C. Moss, 
V.S. Moss, Murphy, Nanney, Neal, Newton, Norman, Norrell, Ott, Parks, Pitts, 
Pope, Putnam, Quinn, Ridgeway, Riley, Rivers, Robinson-Simpson, Rutherford, 
Ryhal, Sandifer, Simrill, G.M. Smith, G.R. Smith, J.E. Smith, Sottile, Southard, 
Spires, Stavrinakis, Stringer, Tallon, Taylor, Thayer, Tinkler, Toole, Weeks, 
Wells, Whipper, White, Whitmire, Williams, Willis and Yow
 A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE THE JAMES F. BYRNES HIGH SCHOOL BOYS
 BASKETBALL TEAM FOR CAPTURING THE 2016 CLASS AAAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE AND
 TO HONOR THE TEAM'S EXCEPTIONAL PLAYERS, COACHES, AND STAFF.

   03/15/16  House  Introduced and adopted (House Journal-page 35)

TO CONGRATULATE THE JAMES F. BYRNES HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM FOR CAPTURING THE 2016 CLASS AAAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE AND TO HONOR THE TEAM'S EXCEPTIONAL PLAYERS, COACHES, AND STAFF.

Whereas, fully prepared for the challenge, the James F. Byrnes High School boys basketball team crowned a fine 25-3 season by capturing the 2016 Class AAAA State Championship title, defeating Irmo 57-50 on Friday, March 4, 2016; and

Whereas, with the biggest prize in South Carolina high school boys basketball on the line, the Rebels focused all their knowledge, skill, and determination, took to heart their coaches' exhortations, and came through like the champions they are. Seizing the crown won them Byrnes's first boys basketball state title since 1990, when the Rebels took home the Class AAA title; and

Whereas, jubilant Byrnes fans cheered with excitement as the Rebels, with equal doses of heart and hustle, orchestrated a game that gave sports pundits confidence in predicting a repeat performance for 2017; and

Whereas, having honed his players into a championship machine throughout the season, Coach Layne Fowler saw the fruits of his labors as the title trophy was hoisted. Coach Fowler, who was on the last Byrnes team to play in a state championship game (1993), took over as coach in 2010 after the team went 1-19, and he grew the program from there; and

Whereas, in the title game, Byrnes led 11-0 and never trailed. The Yellow Jackets were able to get back within 34-27 by halftime by going 6-of-12 on 3-pointers. The Rebels then scored the first 10 points of the third quarter, and Irmo (24-5) could never close the gap; and

Whereas, the House of Representatives takes great pleasure in recognizing the young men of the James F. Byrnes High School boys basketball team for leading with excellence both in the classroom and on the court and expects to hear of continued great achievements in the years ahead. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate the James F. Byrnes High School boys basketball team for capturing the 2016 Class AAAA State Championship title and honor the team's exceptional players, coaches, and staff.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Principal Jeffrey Rogers and Coach Layne Fowler of James F. Byrnes High School.