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TO CONGRATULATE THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS ON AN OUTSTANDING SEASON AND TO HONOR THEM FOR WINNING THE 2017 NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.
Whereas, on April 2, 2017, the University of South Carolina women's basketball team completed an outstanding season by winning their first national championship in women's basketball, defeating the Mississippi State Bulldogs 67-55 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas; and
Whereas, the Lady Gamecocks attacked from the opening tip, leading by as many as fourteen points in the third quarter. Surging in the fourth quarter, the dynamic duo of A'ja Wilson and Allisha Gray drove the team to victory; and
Whereas, A'ja Wilson was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, finishing with thirty-six points and twenty-nine rebounds. Allisha Gray, named to the Final Four All Tournament Team, had thirty-six points and eighteen rebounds, and Kaela Davis had sixteen points and nine rebounds; and
Whereas, the Gamecocks were strong not only offensively, but also defensively. Outstanding point guard Bianca Cuevas Moore held off Mississippi State's star point guard Morgan William, completely taking her out of her game. Freshman point guard Tyasha Harris was also a commanding presence in terms of floor leadership and poise; and
Whereas, the women's first championship is all the more impressive given the team's ability to overcome adversity, as the women lost star center Alaina Coates to an ankle injury before the tournament started; and
Whereas, Gamecock players and coaches attribute the win to the players' commitment to the team and their will to realize their goals. The team motto centered on one goal, one team, one dream, one family, and one focus; and
Whereas, the Lady Gamecocks have won four SEC regular season championships, as well as three SEC Tournament Championships; and
Whereas, as head of an excellent coaching staff, Coach Dawn Staley is in her ninth season with Carolina. For Coach Staley, member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the win marked her first ever NCAA women's basketball championship. She is only the second African-American coach to win the title; and
Whereas, assistant coaches and support staff have also proven integral to the team's success, including Lisa Boyer, Nikki McCray-Penson, Fred Chmiel, Melanie Balcomb, Cynthia Jordan, Freddy Ready, Ariana Moore, Hudson Jacobs, Marcella Shorty, Katie Fowler, and Dianne Palmer; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate appreciate the pride and recognition that the University of South Carolina women's basketball team have brought to their school and community and look forward to a future filled with accomplishments by the team and its talented athletes. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, congratulate the University of South Carolina women's basketball team, coaches, and school officials on an outstanding season and honor them for winning the 2017 NCAA Women's Basketball National Championship.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the University of South Carolina women's basketball team, Coach Dawn Staley, Athletic Director Ray Tanner, and President Harris Pastides.
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