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TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE LANDER UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY SEASON, TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2021 PEACH BELT CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE AND THE NCAA SOUTH REGION CHAMPIONSHIP, AND TO FURTHER COMMEND THEM FOR MAKING THE FIRST NCAA TOURNAMENT FINAL FOUR APPEARANCE IN PROGRAM HISTORY.
Whereas, the South Carolina Senate is pleased to learn that the members of the Lander University women's basketball team of Greenwood County took top honors at the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) Tournament, claimed the NCAA South Region championship, and made the first NCAA Tournament Final Four appearance in school history; and
Whereas, led by Coach Kevin Pederson, the 2021 Lander University women's basketball team chased their dreams and defied expectations as they triumphed over their opponents this season. The Bearcats claimed their place in Lander University history as the first unbeaten regular season team with the highest single-season winning percentage of 90.9%; and
Whereas, while all members of the Bearcats basketball team were integral for this outstanding success, several key players earned special recognition this season among their peers. With consistent and dominating performances, both Makaila Cangé and Zamiya Passmore were named WBCA NCAA Division II All-Americans. Cangé was also named a First Team Division II Coaches' All-American, and Passmore earned Division II Coaches' All-American Honorable Mention honors. In recognition of her season long success, Cangé was named PBC Player of the Year. Following her uncanny defensive work this season, Miriam Recarte earned PBC Defender of the Year; and
Whereas, adding to these impressive achievements, the Lander University Bearcats continued to show excellence among their competition as sophomore Cierra Revelle earned the PBC Elite 16 Award, given to a player competing in the PBC Championship with the highest cumulative GPA. Revelle, who holds a perfect 4.00 GPA, is the second Bearcat to win this prestigious award. In recognition of the superb performance of the Lander University women's basketball team, Coach Kevin Pederson, who now holds his sixth PBC Championship title, claimed his second PBC Coach of the Year honor; and
Whereas, having conquered the Peach Belt Conference in swift and decisive measure, the Bearcats earned their place as NCAA South Region champions with a definitive 67-48 win over North Georgia in the NCAA South Regional championship game. They were then advanced into the Elite Eight, where they defeated Azusa Pacific 88-76, securing the Bearcats first appearance in the NCAA Final Four; and
Whereas, though the Bearcats ultimately fell 74-65 against Drury University in the semifinal game, the Bearcats phenomenal season only serves as a precursor of greater things to come as the team looks to return all of its dedicated and hardworking players next season; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate value the pride and recognition the Lander basketball players brought to their university and our State and eagerly 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 Lander University women's basketball team, coaches, and school officials for an extraordinary season, congratulate them for winning the 2021 Peach Belt Conference Tournament Championship title and the NCAA South Region Championship, and further commend them for making the first NCAA Tournament Final Four appearance in program history.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Richard E. Cosentino, president, and Coach Kevin Pederson.
This web page was last updated on April 28, 2021 at 7:12 PM