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H. R. No. 129 *HR43/R2703* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representative Karriem
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 129
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE COLUMBUS HIGH 1
SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM ON WINNING THE 2026 MISSISSIPPI HIGH 2
SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION (MHSAA) CLASS 5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. 3
WHEREAS, on March 7, 2026, the Columbus High School Boys 4
Basketball Team reigned supreme when the Falcons handily defeated 5
the Holmes County Central High School Jaguars in the 2026 6
Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A 7
State Championship, incredibly bringing home the team's first 8
Golden Ball since 2018; and 9
WHEREAS, while both teams showcased exemplary skill and 10
determination during the championship battle on the hardwood at 11
the Mississippi Coliseum, the Falcons took a commanding lead in 12
the second quarter and never surrendered it, as the team's mental 13
stamina and unimaginable amount of fortitude never waivered for a 14
moment as they outlasted and overpowered the Jaguars until the 15
last buzzer sounded with the 52-38 final score on the board; and 16
WHEREAS, with the championship win culminating a 23-game 17
winning streak, the 27-5 Falcons' success in capturing the state 18
H. R. No. 129 *HR43/R2703* ~ OFFICIAL ~
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title, the team's third in school history, was powered by standout 19
performances by Tylan Brown, who finished with 17 points and eight 20
rebounds and was named Most Valuable Player for the championship, 21
along with DJ Verdell, who found the net for 15 points, and Mike 22
Hood, who chipped in 13 points; and 23
WHEREAS, the Columbus High School Falcons' success is 24
attributable to the remarkable commitment and hard work of each of 25
its talented student-athletes, including: Michael "Mike" Hood, 26
Jr., Jawaun Thomas, Maxwell Leach, Cameron Aaron, Courtney Perry, 27
Ben Latham, Davie "DJ" Verdell, Tylan Brown, Alan Cox, Timarion 28
Bush, Michael "MJ" Brewer, Tyson Sims, Preston Harris, Malik 29
Baldwin, Jace Buckley, Ethan Coats and Kameron Hayes, with the 30
support of the team's managers, Torrance Nash and Jalen Roland; 31
and 32
WHEREAS, the Falcons have been superbly coached and inspired 33
by Head Coach Phillip Morris and Assistant Coaches Roger Joiner, 34
Allen Lewis, Bryan Nichols and Javontae McDavid, all who have 35
broadened the players' knowledge of the game and refined their 36
skills in execution, and they continue to build upon the legacy of 37
superior play and true sportsmanship forged by the tenacious and 38
undaunted spirit of each team member; and 39
WHEREAS, the members of this team will forever carry the 40
unforgettable memories they made along the way to their 41
hard-earned championship status, as well as the lessons of hard 42
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ST: Columbus High School Boys Basketball Team;
commend on winning MHSAA 5A State Championship.
work, dedication and perseverance learned during this amazing 43
season; and 44
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to 45
recognize and commend excellence such as that displayed by the 46
Columbus High School Boys Basketball Team, and it is with great 47
pride that we congratulate this elite group of student-athletes 48
and Coach Phillip Morris, who have brought honor to their families 49
and school, the City of Columbus, and the State of Mississippi: 50
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 51
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby 52
commend and congratulate the Columbus High School Boys Basketball 53
Team and Head Coach Phillip Morris on winning the 2026 Mississippi 54
High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A State 55
Championship and extend best wishes to the team and coaches for 56
continued success in all their future endeavors. 57
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 58
furnished to Coach Phillip Morris on behalf of the Columbus High 59
School Boys Basketball Team and to the members of the Capitol 60
Press Corps. 61