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H. R. No. 79 *HR26/R2485* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representative Wallace
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 79
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE SIMPSON 1
ACADEMY LADY COUGARS BASKETBALL TEAM AND COACH LINDA DEAR ON 2
WINNING THE 2026 MIDSOUTH ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS 3
(MAIS) CLASS 4A DIVISION I STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. 4
WHEREAS, on February 14, 2026, the Simpson Academy Girls 5
Varsity Basketball Team tasted the ultimate sweetness of victory 6
when the Lady Cougars defeated the East Rankin Academy Lady 7
Patriots in the 2026 Midsouth Association of Independent Schools 8
(MAIS) Class 4A Division I State Championship, incredibly bringing 9
home to Mendenhall the team's first championship trophy since 10
2019; and 11
WHEREAS, while both teams showcased exemplary skill and 12
determination during the championship battle on the hardwood at 13
Jackson Prep, the Lady Cougars took the lead from the very start 14
of the game and never surrendered it, as the team's mental stamina 15
and unimaginable amount of fortitude never waivered for a moment 16
as they outlasted and overpowered the Lady Patriots until the last 17
buzzer sounded with the 54-45 final score on the board; and 18
H. R. No. 79 *HR26/R2485* ~ OFFICIAL ~
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WHEREAS, the championship win, the Lady Cougars' fourth state 19
title in Simpson Academy's girls basketball program history, paved 20
the way for the team's trip to the MAIS Girls Basketball Overall 21
Championship held on the campus of Mississippi College, where the 22
31-6 Lady Cougars played phenomenally well and reached the overall 23
finals only to come up short against Madison-Ridgeland Academy; 24
and 25
WHEREAS, the Simpson Academy Lady Cougars' success is 26
attributable to the remarkable commitment and hard work of its 27
talented student-athletes, including: Brooke Blackledge, Danni 28
Cooper, Maggie Shivers, Jayda Smith, Elie Stewart, Anniston Bass, 29
Charlye Bowen, Emma Henderson, Ansley Jones, Madi Davidson, Elle 30
McNulty, MC Hunt, Lucy Walker, Gracie Pinkerton and Annmarie 31
Blakeney; and 32
WHEREAS, the Lady Cougars have been superbly coached and 33
inspired by Head Coach Linda Dear, who has been at Simpson Academy 34
for 23 years, and Assistant Coaches Chaucer Funchess and Josh 35
McNulty, all of whom who have broadened the players' knowledge of 36
the game and refined their skills in execution, and they continue 37
to build upon the legacy of superior play and true sportsmanship 38
forged by the tenacious and undaunted spirit of each team member; 39
and 40
WHEREAS, the members of this team will forever carry the 41
unforgettable memories they made along the way to their hard-42
earned championship status, whether it be the long hours of 43
H. R. No. 79 *HR26/R2485* ~ OFFICIAL ~
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ST: Simpson Academy Lady Cougars Basketball
Team; commend on winning MAIS 4A Division I
State Championship.
grueling practices or Coach Dear's famous red rag, a longtime 44
rallying towel that always fires up the Lady Cougars and their 45
fans, as well as the lessons of hard work, dedication and 46
perseverance learned during this amazing season; and 47
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to 48
recognize and commend excellence such as that displayed by the 49
Simpson Academy Lady Cougars Basketball Team, and it is with great 50
pride that we congratulate this elite group of student-athletes 51
and Coach Linda Dear, who have brought honor to Simpson Academy, 52
their families, the Mendenhall community, and the State of 53
Mississippi: 54
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 55
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby 56
commend and congratulate the Simpson Academy Lady Cougars 57
Basketball Team and Coach Linda Dear on winning the 2026 Midsouth 58
Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class 4A Division I 59
State Championship and extend best wishes to the team for 60
continued success in all their future academic and athletic 61
endeavors. 62
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 63
furnished to Head Coach Linda Dear on behalf of the Simpson 64
Academy Lady Cougars Basketball Team and to the members of the 65
Capitol Press Corps. 66