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Commending the Cross Keys High School Indians boys basketball team and inviting the coach and team to appear before the House of Representatives; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the 70 different nationalities represented in the Cross Keys High School student body melded into one community of fans as their boys basketball team put together a sterling season that culminated in a Class AAA State Championship; and

WHEREAS, the Indians began the season by winning 15 games in a row and followed that streak by winning seven of their last ten games, and, as the season went on, basketball fever gained momentum among a student body with little tradition in the sport; and

WHEREAS, excitement grew to fevered pitch on the night of the championship game in Macon, when fans filled five "spirit buses" for the trip from Atlanta to witness their team´s play against the proud Eagles of Mitchell-Baker High School; and

WHEREAS, the Eagles were looking for their fourth state championship in five years, but the Indians stood defiantly in their way; and

WHEREAS, the Indians fans in the stands were of many races and accents, but they cheered with one voice as their team built a lead, lost it, kept their composure, and played their hearts out in a magnificent game, and, when the final buzzer sounded with the score Cross Keys 80 and Mitchell-Baker 78, Cross Keys had won its first state championship in any sport since students wore bell bottoms and tie-dyed shirts; and

WHEREAS, this remarkable team, led by Coach Bennie Gibbs, was made up of Kendall Ruffin, Michael Banks, Antonio Simpson, Lance Willis, Angelo Simpson, Oniah Mitchell, Antoine Crittle, Eric Nathan, Anthony Njie, and C.J. Washington.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body commend the Cross Keys High School Indians boys basketball team for its unparalleled achievements and extend their sincerest best wishes for continued success in the future.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Coach Gibbs and the team are invited to appear before this body on a date and at a time designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Coach Bennie Gibbs on behalf of the Cross Keys High School Indians boys basketball team.