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H. R. No. 82 *HR43/R2657.1* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representatives McMillan, Ford (73rd)
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 82
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE 1
MADISON-RIDGELAND ACADEMY PATRIOTS BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM FOR 2
WINNING THE 2026 MISSISSIPPI ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS 3
(MAIS) CLASS 4A DIVISION I STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. 4
WHEREAS, the Madison-Ridgeland Academy Patriots Boys 5
Basketball Team of Madison, Mississippi, delivered an 6
extraordinary performance during the 2025-2026 basketball season, 7
culminating in the capture of the Mississippi Association of 8
Independent Schools (MAIS) Class 4A Division I State Championship, 9
bringing pride and distinction to Madison-Ridgeland Academy, the 10
Madison community and the State of Mississippi; and 11
WHEREAS, the Patriots concluded their remarkable season with 12
a decisive 65-53 victory over Jackson Academy in the MAIS Overall 13
State Tournament championship game at Mississippi College's A.E. 14
Wood Coliseum in Clinton, Mississippi, before a crowd of thousands 15
of enthusiastic supporters, demonstrating exceptional skill, 16
teamwork and determination on the court; and 17
WHEREAS, Madison-Ridgeland Academy completed the season with 18
a 37-2 record, the best record in the program's history, while 19
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riding a 19-game winning streak into the championship and earning 20
recognition as one of the premier high school basketball teams in 21
the State of Mississippi; and 22
WHEREAS, the Patriots were led in the championship contest by 23
6-foot-10-inch sophomore center EJ Dampier, who delivered a 24
dominant performance with 25 points, 12 rebounds and eight blocked 25
shots, along with contributions from teammates including Evan 26
Carr, Caeden Harvey, Will Bizot, and Jack Dalton, whose collective 27
efforts, leadership and execution propelled the team to victory; 28
and 29
WHEREAS, the Patriots' championship success was achieved 30
under the legendary leadership of Head Coach Richard Duease, the 31
winningest high school basketball coach in Mississippi history, 32
who concluded his extraordinary 51-year coaching career, including 33
44 years at Madison-Ridgeland Academy, with 1,888 career 34
victories, 42 state championships, and 16 MAIS Overall Tournament 35
titles, cementing his legacy as one of the most accomplished and 36
respected coaches in the history of Mississippi high school 37
athletics; and 38
WHEREAS, the 2026 championship season was particularly 39
meaningful as the Patriots rallied together with determination and 40
unity to send their beloved coach into retirement with a 41
championship, reflecting the deep respect and appreciation the 42
student-athletes held for Coach Duease's lifelong commitment to 43
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mentorship, discipline and the development of young people through 44
the game of basketball; and 45
WHEREAS, the achievements of the Madison-Ridgeland Academy 46
Patriots Boys Basketball Team are a testament not only to the 47
dedication and talent of its student-athletes and coaches, but 48
also to the unwavering support of the school administration, 49
faculty, families and the broader Madison community, whose 50
encouragement and pride helped propel the Patriots to championship 51
glory; and 52
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to 53
recognize and commend the outstanding achievements of Mississippi 54
student-athletes, especially those such as the MRA Patriots Boys 55
Basketball Team, whose hard work, determination and championship 56
spirit bring honor to their school, their community and the State 57
of Mississippi: 58
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 59
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby 60
commend and congratulate the Madison-Ridgeland Academy Patriots 61
Boys Basketball Team upon winning the 2026 Mississippi Association 62
of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class 4A Division I State 63
Championship and extend sincere best wishes for continued success 64
both on and off the court. 65
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 66
furnished to the administration of Madison-Ridgeland Academy, Head 67
H. R. No. 82 *HR43/R2657.1* ~ OFFICIAL ~
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ST: Madison-Ridgeland Academy Patriots Boys
Basketball Team; commend on winning 2026 MAIS
Class 4A Division I State Championship.
Coach Richard Duease on behalf of the Patriots Boys Basketball 68
Team, and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps. 69