2018 -- H 7966

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING AND CONGRATULATING THE TIVERTON GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM

ON WINNING THE RHODE ISLAND GIRLS BASKETBALL DIVISION III

CHAMPIONSHIP

     Introduced By: Representatives Edwards, Shekarchi, Maldonado, Fellela, and Morin

     Date Introduced: March 15, 2018

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The Tiverton Girls Basketball Team compiled an outstanding 18-2 regular

season record and a stellar 17-1 divisional record, good for a first place finish in the East

Division; and

     WHEREAS, In the Division III State playoffs, the Tiverton Girls Basketball Team earned

the #1 seed and a first round bye. In the Quarterfinals, Tiverton faced Blackstone Valley and,

thanks to a ferocious display of defensive intensity in the second half, they overcame a four point

deficit at the half to win going away by the score of 44 to 34. From the four minute mark in the

second half to the end of the game, the Tiverton squad outscored Blackstone Valley 18-3, forced

10 turnovers, and held the opposition to one basket in the last 12 minutes; and

     WHEREAS, In the Semi-Finals the Tiverton Basketball Team once again faced a four

point half-time deficit and once again they surged back for the win. Tiverton ramped up their

defense in the second half, forcing numerous steals that led to easy layup baskets. Aja Caldwell

and Mariah Ramos continued their outstanding play and when North Providence had them

covered, Jillian DaSilva hit clutch baseline jump shots to help secure the victory for Tiverton by

the score of 44-40 earning the Tigers a berth in the State Championship game against Classical

High School; and

     WHEREAS, After suffering through a 34 year drought, the Tiverton Girls Basketball

Team won its first State Title since 1984 when they defeated Classical High School by the score

of 34-32 in a game played at Rhode Island College. Thanks to a game leading 12 points

contributed by Mariah Ramos and a hot start that gave Tiverton leads of 17-12 at the half and a

nine point lead four minutes into the second half, the Tigers held off a Classical High School rally

late in the game to emerge victorious and clinching the State Title; and

     WHEREAS, Winning a State Championship in a team sport is an immense achievement,

one that requires superb leadership and the unselfish contributions of everyone on the team.

Members of the team must place personal aspirations and desires secondary to team needs and

goals. The Tiverton Girls Basketball Team had those attributes in abundance as they were led all

season by the important contributions provided by players Mikayla Andrews, Aja Caldwell,

Marisa Cater, Jillian DaSilva, Mercedez Lopes, Rachel Pare, Sydney Pelletier, Mariah Ramos,

Halen DellaVecchia-Ronan, and Jaimi Vaillancourt. The Tiverton Team was also blessed all

season to have the leadership and innovative coaching that was provided by Head Coach Jonette

Lopes and Assistant Coach Cara Faria; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby honors and congratulates the Tiverton Girls Basketball Team on

winning the Rhode Island Girls Basketball Division III Championship; 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 Tiverton Girls Basketball Head Coach, Jonette

Lopes.

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