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H. C. R. No. 62 *HR43/R2728* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representative Scott
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 62
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE 1
LAUREL HIGH SCHOOL LADY GOLDEN TORNADOES BASKETBALL TEAM ON 2
WINNING THE 2026 MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION 3
(MHSAA) CLASS 5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. 4
WHEREAS, on March 7, 2026, the Laurel High School Girls 5
Basketball Team reigned supreme when the Lady Golden Tornadoes 6
handily defeated the Holmes County Central High School Lady 7
Jaguars in the 2026 Mississippi High School Activities Association 8
(MHSAA) Class 5A State Championship, incredibly bringing home the 9
team's second Golden Ball in the last three years; and 10
WHEREAS, while both teams showcased exemplary skill and 11
determination during the championship battle on the hardwood, the 12
Lady Golden Tornadoes took a commanding lead from the very start 13
and never surrendered it, as the team's mental stamina and 14
unimaginable amount of fortitude never waivered for a moment as 15
they outlasted and overpowered the Lady Jaguars until the last 16
buzzer sounded with the 52-26 final score on the board; and 17
WHEREAS, with the championship win culminating a 20-game 18
winning streak, the 32-2 Lady Golden Tornadoes' success in 19
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capturing the state title, the team's third during Coach Sherri 20
Cooley's time as head coach at Laurel, was powered by standout 21
performances by Kayllis Walker, who finished with 20 points and 22
nine rebounds, along with Jahyla Dubose, who added 15 points, 23
eight rebounds and one block, and Gracelyn Carmichael, who chipped 24
in six points; and 25
WHEREAS, beyond her athletic achievements, Gracelyn 26
Carmichael, a senior guard for the Lady Golden Tornadoes, has 27
demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to academic excellence, 28
resulting in her being recognized as Class 5A All-Academic; and 29
WHEREAS, while the state title for the Lady Golden Tornadoes 30
is cause to celebrate, the championship game in the Mississippi 31
Coliseum marked a bittersweet moment for the Laurel community as 32
Coach Cooley had her last game where she hoped, "at the big 33
house," before retiring from coaching after a remarkable 25-year 34
career, six of which were as head coach at Laurel without a single 35
losing record, to bravely fight the biggest battle of her life, 36
breast cancer; and 37
WHEREAS, during the 2025-2026 season, the Laurel High School 38
Lady Golden Tornadoes outscored their opponents 2,148-981 and 39
finished as the Clarion Ledger's No. 2 team, and their success is 40
attributable to the remarkable commitment and hard work of each of 41
its talented student-athletes, including: Tatyionna Pittman, 42
Jahyla Dubose, Karly Hunter, Sydney Ridgeway, Madisun McKenzie, 43
Robyn Moore, Takaylen Dean, Autumn Mcgill, Gracelyn Carmichael, 44
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Kayllis Walker, Nahla Faulkner, Zykeria Evans and Khe'dasia 45
Jackson, with the support of Team Manager Antwumya Dean; and 46
WHEREAS, in addition to Head Coach Sherri Cooley, the Lady 47
Golden Tornadoes have been superbly coached and inspired by 48
assistant coaches Shasta Husband, Kristie McKinley and Bianca 49
Gully, who together have broadened the players' knowledge of the 50
game and refined their skills in execution; and 51
WHEREAS, the members of this team will forever carry the 52
unforgettable memories they made along the way to their 53
hard-earned championship status, as well as the lessons of hard 54
work, dedication and perseverance learned during this amazing 55
season; and 56
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize 57
and commend excellence such as that displayed by the Laurel High 58
School Lady Golden Tornadoes Basketball Team, and it is with great 59
pride that we congratulate this elite group of student-athletes 60
and Coach Sherri Cooley, who have brought honor to their families 61
and school, the City of Laurel, and the State of Mississippi: 62
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 63
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING 64
THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Laurel 65
High School Lady Golden Tornadoes Basketball Team and Head Coach 66
Sherri Cooley on winning the 2026 Mississippi High School 67
Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A State Championship and 68
extend best wishes to the team for continued success in all their 69
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ST: Laurel High School Lady Golden Tornadoes
Basketball Team; commend on winning MHSAA Class
5A Championship.
future athletic and academic endeavors. FURTHER, we do hereby 70
offer our prayers and extend sincerest wishes to Coach Cooley for 71
healing and the very best of health for years to come. 72
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 73
furnished to Laurel High School, Coach Sherri Cooley and to the 74
members of the Capitol Press Corps. 75