A senate RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE ANDREW JACKSON HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR AN OUTSTANDING SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2024-2025 SOUTH CAROLINA CLASS AA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate is pleased to learn that the members of the Andrew Jackson girls varsity basketball team of Lancaster County captured the state title at the state competition held in Florence on Saturday, March 8, 2025; and

Whereas, to the cheers of their exuberant fans, the Andrew Jackson Lady Volunteers defeated Eau Claire High School in a stunning 89-36 victory to claim the program's second consecutive state title and to set a school-record 29 wins and several team and individual records; and

Whereas, the Andrew Jackson team became the tenth class AA school to win at least two back-to-back girls basketball state titles since the 1957-1958 season. The 2013-2014 squad that lost the state title to Bishop England School set the precedent for the high standards of Andrew Jackson's program, but the 2024-2025 season will go down as the best in school history; and

Whereas, since the beginning of the 2013-14 season, the Andrew Jackson program has had seven 20 win seasons, won 10 region championships, and won two of its four state championship appearances. In the 2024 2025 win, Andrew Jackson set a state girls championship game-record 89 points and hit 37 field goals, also the record for the championship game; and

Whereas, the Lady Volunteers won 26 of their 29 games this season by double digits, including 18 by 50 points or more. They scored 90 points or more in 11 games, including six at 100 or more, and their last loss this season came in January to a Georgia team. They finished the season winning the last 12 games by 53 points or more, the closest game in the stretch being the 53-point state final win; and

Whereas, in region play, Andrew Jackson has posted a 67-game win streak, losing their last region game in February 2019. The region win streak started the year that seniors Tamia Watkins and Emiley McCall joined the varsity basketball squad as seventh graders; and

Whereas, Tamia Watkins is now the school's all-time leading scorer with 2,758 points, including a school-record 933 points this season. Emiley McCall is also in the top 10 in Andrew Jackson history, with 1,338 points scored, and is one of the school's top 3-point shooters with 222; and

Whereas, junior starters Ni'Yonna Asbelle, who has had 1,781 points, and Trinity Delly, who posted a career-high 30 points in the 2024-2025 state championship game and has 584 career points and 264 steals, will both return for the next season. The future promises great times for the Lady Volunteers, as another seven players will return to next year's squad, including two eighth graders; and

Whereas, in a sport that requires strength, speed, and stamina, Head Coach Steven Fair and his skilled coaching staff capitalized on their own athletic experience and training to build a championship-caliber team and teach these athletes life principles that will endure beyond the hardwoods; and

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate appreciates the pride and recognition that the Andrew Jackson basketball players have brought to their school and their community, and the members look forward to following their future achievements in the days to come. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor the Andrew Jackson High School girls varsity basketball team, coaches, and school officials for an outstanding season and congratulate them for winning the 2024-2025 South Carolina Class AA State Championship title.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Principal Shuntay Miller and Coach Steven Fair.

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