2016 -- S 2773

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LC005358

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING THE CLASSICAL HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' BASKETBALL TEAM ON

WINNING THE 2016 RHODE ISLAND BOYS' BASKETBALL DIVISION I TOURNAMENT

     Introduced By: Senators Jabour, and Lombardi

     Date Introduced: March 10, 2016

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

     WHEREAS, The Classical High School Boys' Basketball Team had an outstanding 2015-

2016 regular season, compiling a sterling 13-3 divisional record and an 18-5 overall record; and

     WHEREAS, Classical entered the Division I Tournament seeded fourth and, after

receiving a first-round bye, easily dispatched arch-rival Central High School in the quarterfinals

by the score of 73 to 42 to advance to the semi-finals. In the semi-finals, Classical faced

defending State and Division I champion La Salle, a squad that had only lost one game in the

regular season, to Classical. Classical once again knocked off La Salle, using a ferocious defense

and tenacious rebounding, especially by center Jamari Johnson, to storm back from a late deficit

to defeat the Rams by the score of 62-49, and advance to the title game; and

     WHEREAS, Classical faced Hendricken in the championship game and won a hard-

fought 82 to 71 victory to win the State Title. Once again, Classical had to come from behind to

win, as they were led by the sensational play provided by star guards Rodney Theodore, who

scored thirty points, and David Duke, who scored twenty-six points; and

     WHEREAS, Winning a state championship in a team sport requires that everyone on the

team give their all unselfishly at all times and put team goals ahead of personal aspirations. The

2015-2016 Classical Boys' Basketball Team had those qualities in abundance as they were led all

season by the significant contributions provided by Captains David Duke, Rodney Theodore, and

Jonathan Batista, along with Malik Chase, Bryce Daily, Earnest Umoh, Jacob Lamar, Daniel

Licht, Christian Grimes, Jarell De Los Santos, Jamari Johnson, Jaylon Price, and Daniel Karlin.

In addition, the Classical Boys' Basketball team benefited all season from the superb coaching

that was provided by Head Coach John Kavanagh, and Assistant Coaches Brian Daily, Albert

Schiavone, and Josh Yeaw; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby congratulates the 2015-2016 Classical High School Boys' Basketball Team on winning the

2016 Boys' Basketball Division I Tournament; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. John Kavanagh, Head Basketball Coach,

Classical Boys' Basketball Team.

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LC005358

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