A house RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE FLORENCE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR A REMARKABLE SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2026 SOUTH CAROLINA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ASSOCIATION CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the members of the Florence Christian girls basketball team captured the South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA) state title at the state tournament held at the Sumter Civic Center on February 28, 2026; and

 

Whereas, to the thrill of their exuberant fans, the Florence Christian Eagles defeated a competitive Orangeburg Prep Indians 42-35, to take the program's first-ever state title and finish the season with a 24-2 record, also avenging a loss to Orangeburg Prep earlier in the season; and

 

Whereas, Florence Christian was able to hit shots against the strong triangle-and-two defense of Orangeburg Prep, leading at the half 19-14. In the third period, the Indians outscored Florence Christian 12-9 points to shave the Eagles' lead to 28-26, but Florence Christian outscored Orangeburg Prep 14-9 in the final period to bring home the state trophy; and

 

Whereas, Emerson Poston led the Eagles in scoring with 19 points in the championship game, while Bailey Johnson added 8, Charlotte Granger chipped in 5, Leah Lambert netted 4, and Anna Kate Huggins and Demi Green each contributed 3. The SCISA 3A girl's all-tournament team included three players from Florence Christian: Anna Kate Huggins, Bailey Johnson, and Emerson Poston; and

 

Whereas, Florence Christian head coach Neil Minton, credited the victory to hard work, determination, and his team just getting after it, summing it up by saying, "We had more people playing with confidence and they were stronger with the ball… All the little stuff we worked on helped us improve and we rely on our defense. I thought we played great half-court defense…."; and

 

Whereas, the Eagles' roster included three senior starters, Leah Lambert, one of the team's better passing post players, Anna Kate Huggins, one of the team's most important players defensively, and Demi Green, a strong leader who plays well on both sides of the ball, whose combined leadership next year's team will miss, and teammates Bailey Johnson, Raegan Claire Watson, Bethany Starr, Lareen Rishmawi, Lyla Broach, Lana Claire Jordan, Charlotte Granger, and Emerson Poston. Winning seventeen straight games, the Eagles benefited from each player's effort during the season, or as Coach Minton put it, this team "chopped wood and carried water" all the way to the school's first ever girls basketball state championship; and

 

Whereas, in a sport that demands strength, agility, and accuracy, Coach Minton and his staff maximized their own athletic ability and training to hone a championship-caliber team and teach these athletes life principles that will endure beyond the court; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is grateful for the pride and recognition that the Florence Christian basketball players have brought to their school and their community, and the members look forward to following their continued achievements in the days ahead. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor the Florence Christian School girls varsity basketball team, coaches, and school officials for a remarkable season and congratulate them for winning the 2026 South Carolina Independent School Association Class 3A State Championship title.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Principal Jim Berry and Coach Neil Minton of Florence Christian School.

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