MS HC89

East Rankin Academy Lady Patriots Varsity Basketball Team won the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) AAAA Division II State Championship with a 50-30 victory over Lamar School, finishing the season with a 29-6 record.

Team demonstrated exceptional perseverance after losing teammate Leah Cunningham in an automobile accident on December 23, 2017, and honored her memory by wearing a memorial patch with her No. 14 during the championship game.

The team showed continued character and compassion when they paused their February 9, 2018 game at Copiah Academy to pray for and support a parent who experienced a medical emergency.

The resolution commends the 20 student-athletes and coaching staff (Head Coach Rod Delaney and Assistant Coaches Grant Thompson, Trudy Case Dawkins, and Seth Cheatham) for their dedication and strength during a season marked by tragedy.