A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE East Columbia Youth Basketball League and COACHES FOR AN OUTSTANDING SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2024 South Carolina Athletic Programs' Division 1 12U Boys State Championship TITLE.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the East Columbia Youth Basketball League (ECYBL) won the state title at the South Carolina Athletic Program (SCAP) state competition in a double elimination tournament in Easley on March 2, 2024; and

Whereas, to the delight of their faithful fans, ECYBL defeated a fine, competitive field of comers to win the 2024 state trophy; and

Whereas, after garnering the SCAP Central District Champions title on February 24, 2024, in Columbia, ten young men were selected from forty-two athletes in the ECYBL eleven- and twelve-year-old boys teams representing the league, who claimed the 2024 SCAP Division 1 12U boys state championship; and

Whereas, the members of the state championship team included Jackson Ware, Amari Staley, Dylan Smith, Cody Scott, Tim McCoy, Jr., Tristan Highsmith, Braylon Gibson, Davon Byrd, Jr., Isaiah Brown, and Victor Alderete; and

Whereas, ECYBL under the Richland County Recreation Commission (RCRC) has been serving the Lower Richland community as the longest running community led subagency for nearly fifty years, and many of the current, dedicated coaches were once players in the ECYBL; and

Whereas, under the leadership of President Lydia Overton, Vice President Adrienne Jackson, and League Advisor Greg Sinkler, ECYBL is supported by board members, community and business team sponsors, age-group coordinators, and family volunteers who help to make each team and each season successful; and

Whereas, as a subagency of the Richland County Recreation Commission, ECYBL works in partnership with RCRC Park Directors Sigmund Tucker, Sr., Jamila Broomfield, and Henry Devereux, along with the staff members of Caughman Road Park, Bluff Road Park, and Hopkins Park located in the Lower Richland County community; and

Whereas, in a sport that requires skill, strength, and strategy, Coaches Art Overton, Gerald Gibson, and Devante Wright used their own athletic experience and passion to build a championship team and teach these athletes lessons of teamwork, sportsmanship, and perseverance that will prove invaluable through life both on and off the court; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is grateful for the pride and recognition that the East Columbia basketball players have brought to their community, and the members look forward to following their continued achievements in the days. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor the East Columbia Youth Basketball League and coaches for an outstanding season and congratulate them for winning the 2024 South Carolina Athletic Programs' Division 1 12U Boys State Championship title.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Coaches Art Overton, Gerald Gibson, and Devante Wright.

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