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S. R. No. 98 *SS08/R1639* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Senator(s) Simmons (13th), Simmons
(12th)
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 98
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE NORTH BOLIVAR 1
SCHOOL DISTRICT NORTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL GATORS BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM 2
AND COACH DEMARCUS MCKINLEY FOR WINNING THEIR FIRST CLASS 2A STATE 3
CHAMPIONSHIP. 4
WHEREAS, when Northside High School senior and small forward 5
Dai'Qwaunn Price jumped into the arms of senior center Jaquavius 6
Jackson with his arms flexed and fists raised high in the air, the 7
ultimate goal had been accomplished on March 7, 2026, at the 8
Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson; and 9
WHEREAS, the Gators played a fast paced style of basketball 10
using stingy defense to win their first state championship as they 11
defeated the Pelahatchie High School Chiefs 51-39 in the 12
championship game of the Mississippi High School Activities 13
Association 2A State Boys Basketball Playoffs. Northside won its 14
last 12 in a row to finish the year at an impressive 28-3; and 15
WHEREAS, Northside is only in its eighth year of existence as 16
it formed from the merger of John F. Kennedy Memorial High School 17
in Mound Bayou and Broad Street High School in Shelby, 18
Mississippi, in 2018. Fans from Shelby, Mound Bayou and the 19
S. R. No. 98 *SS08/R1639* ~ OFFICIAL ~
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surrounding towns in the North Bolivar School District cheered the 20
Gators on with every play at Jackson. The state championship in 21
boys basketball was the first in the North Bolivar area since 1989 22
when Broad Street captured the 2A State Crown. The win for 23
Northside was also sweet revenge as the Gators lost to the Chiefs 24
59-49 in the 2025 semifinals; and 25
WHEREAS, the Gators' effort against Pelahatchie was 26
spearheaded by senior shooting guard Jamarion Johnson who scored a 27
team-high 21 points with six rebounds and two steals. Johnson was 28
named the Most Valuable Player of the Game; and 29
WHEREAS, the win in the state championship game was huge for 30
Northside Head Boys Basketball Coach Demarcus McKinley. In the 31
previous five years at Northside, McKinley had guided the Gators 32
to the quarterfinals or further each year. They had been to the 33
semifinals twice and finished 2A State Runner-Up in 2023. "It 34
feels great," said McKinley about bringing home the Gold Ball. 35
"We've been working hard. I'm proud of the kids, and it's just 36
been a long time coming. I just appreciate those guys for 37
believing in me." When the game against the Chiefs came to a 38
close and he realized his team won the title, McKinley was in awe; 39
and 40
WHEREAS, the key to the Gators' success this season has been 41
defense, and it was huge for them in the playoffs. To advance to 42
the state championship game, Northside dominated Bay Springs 55-29 43
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ST: Commend Bolivar Northside High School Boys
Basketball Team for first 2A State Championship.
in the semifinals on March 4, 2026, at the Mississippi Coliseum in 44
Jackson; and 45
WHEREAS, the Gators will graduate seven seniors with Johnson, 46
Price, Thomas, Davis, Jackson, James Hogan, and Jacarious Baynes; 47
and 48
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this 49
first-ever championship by a group of student athletes who have 50
brought honor to their school, their community and to the State of 51
Mississippi: 52
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF 53
MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the North 54
Bolivar School District Northside High School Gators Boys 55
Basketball Team and Coach Demarcus McKinley for winning their 56
first Class 2A State Championship, and extend to the team, 57
coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for future 58
championships. 59
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to 60
Coach Demarcus McKinley and Northside High School Principal 61
Johnnie Vick for the team, forwarded to the North Bolivar School 62
District and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps. 63