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TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE A. C. FLORA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR AN OUTSTANDING SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2014 CLASS AAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.
Whereas, the South Carolina Senate is pleased to learn that the members of the A. C. Flora High School boys varsity basketball team of Richland County won the state championship at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia on Saturday, March 8, 2014; and
Whereas, in a nail-biting, riveting overtime, the A. C. Flora Falcons used their team motto "see it through" to defeat Darlington High School 51-42 to win the state championship trophy, the team's first since 1986 and the fourth in the program's history; and
Whereas, the Falcons struggled at the beginning of the season, but their game improved dramatically as the season progressed, ending a 20-9 season with seven straight wins; and
Whereas, playing the first half of the championship game at Darlington's pace, the Flora Falcons fell behind 14-4 at the end of the first quarter, continued to trail 20-16 at the half, and did not take their first lead, 30-28, until the final shot of the third quarter; and
Whereas, by using their superior size on the floor, the A. C. Flora team was able to wear down the smaller Darlington front court and control the tempo in the second half; and
Whereas, Flora Falcon James Murray-Boyles had seven of his game-high 16 points in the second quarter, and three of his teammates posted double digits: Karl Gamble 11 points and 14 rebounds, Rion Davis another 11 points, and Diquan Day-Grant 10. Tyler Gray, however, hit a 3 pointer to give the Falcons their first lead of the game and his only, yet decisive, score; and
Whereas, dominating the rebounding battle in the second half and overtime, A. C. Flora went hard in the paint, hit the backboards, and outscored Darlington 35-22 by taking a 13-2 point advantage from offensive rebounds; and
Whereas, although regulation time ended with the teams tied at 35,
A. C. Flora continued to take down the rebounds and virtually owned the overtime period to grab the state victory; and
Whereas, feeling that God had led him to A. C. Flora to re-energize the basketball program, Head Coach Leon Brunson, with his skilled coaching staff, trained and molded a championship team through relentless drills and demanding practices, teaching these athletes lessons that will prove invaluable through life both on and off court; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate appreciate the pride and recognition that the A. C. Flora basketball players have brought to their school and their community and look to hear of their continued accomplishments in the days ahead. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor the A. C. Flora High School boys varsity basketball team, coaches, and school officials for an outstanding season and congratulate them for winning the 2014 Class AAA State Championship title.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Principal Richard McClure and Coach Leon Brunson.
This web page was last updated on March 11, 2014 at 1:48 PM