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TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE W.J. KEENAN HIGH SCHOOL BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR AN OUTSTANDING SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2020 SOUTH CAROLINA CLASS AAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the members of the W.J. Keenan High School basketball team of Richland County captured the state title at the state tournament held at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia on Saturday, March 7, 2020; and
Whereas, to the cheers of their exuberant fans, the Keenan High Raiders defeated a fine, competitive Wade Hampton with a clean 55-32 victory to secure the team's second consecutive state title and the ninth state title altogether; and
Whereas, the Wade Hampton Red Devils posted an early lead against the Raiders in a 7-2 charge to start the championship match, but Raekwon Horton kept his eye on the objective, the basket, putting up seven of his nine points in the first half to end the first quarter with a 14-13 lead over Wade Hampton. He would end the night with double digits in scoring and rebounds; and
Whereas, both teams posted six points in the second quarter, but Keenan managed to stay ahead at the halftime with two points on a dunk from Raider Joe Barrino just before the buzzer for a 20-19 lead; and
Whereas, Keenan had a dominant third quarter with the assistance of Raekwon Horton and Samajeh Echols when the Raiders had an 8-1 run and finished with a 35-28 lead to begin the final quarter; and
Whereas, when Keenan blasted the net with a 15-2 run in the fourth quarter, they tied up the championship with a 23-point lead; and
Whereas, Raekwon Horton, the class AAA Player of the Year, scored 19 points and added 16 rebounds. It was a night for doubles for Keenan: Raiders Jazian Gortman and William Daney each scored 13 points in the title game; teammates Samajeh Echols and Vidal Jones both added 6 points, and Joseph Barrino and Javaris DaSant had 4 points each; and
Whereas, the win was the seventh state title for Head Coach Zach Norris, and it was made all the sweeter because the Keenan girls' basketball team garnered a state trophy the same day; and
Whereas, in a sport that requires speed, agility, and precision, Coach Norris and Assistant Coach Tyrell Manning capitalized on their own athletic ability and training to hone a championship team and teach these athletes valuable lessons that will stand them in good stead throughout life; and
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives values the respect and appreciation that the Keenan basketball players have brought to their school and their community, and the members expect to see more of their continued success in the days to come. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor the W.J. Keenan High School boys varsity basketball team, coaches, and school officials for an outstanding season and congratulate them for winning the 2020 South Carolina Class AAA State Championship title.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Principal Vondré T. Whaley and Coach Zach Norris.
This web page was last updated on March 19, 2020 at 1:43 PM