State champions in Mississippi usually receive a proclamation at the State Capitol recognizing their achievements.
That was not possible during the 2020-21 school year due to the COVID pandemic. Instead, State Sen. Robert Jackson presented a proclamation to the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 2A state basketball champions the Coahoma County Red Panthers at the high school earlier this month.
The Red Panthers are back-to-back champions and have won four titles in five years.
“I want to first thank your principal, Ms. (Cortney) Jackson, for allowing us to be here this morning,” said Sen. Jackson. “I want to thank Donald Green for accompanying me here this morning. I just wanted to take the opportunity to present this proclamation to this great team for winning the 2A championship this year. It’s not your first time. It’s probably not your last time, but it’s always important to take time to say thank you and congratulate you for a job well done.”
Sen. Jackson proceeded to explain how the pandemic caused things to be different.
“Normally, we would have you at the State Capitol to do this,” he said. “You’ve been there before as a team. As you know, with the pandemic, we couldn’t allow people into the Capitol, so we take the opportunity to do this when we can. We’re taking the opportunity to do this today, at your own home, at your own school presenting this proclamation.”
Sen. Jackson praised coach Derrick Moore and the entire team.
“I’m happy to present this proclamation to you,” Sen. Jackson said. “I requested it after learning that you had won again the championship. My hats off to Coach Moore and the rest of the team for winning.”
The venue where the proclamation was presented is not the only change in 2020-21. CCHS defeated Newton 46-40 in the championship at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson.
Tyler McCaughn, the State Senator in Newton’s district, also signed the proclamation.
“This proclamation is different from the rest,” Sen. Jackson said. “Normally, it would be signed by the Lieutenant Governor and me as your State Senator. This one was a little different. I got the Senator from the opposing team that you beat to sign the resolution this time. This is a new deal.”
Sen. Jackson said he jokingly asked McCaughn if he wanted to sign the proclamation. Sen. Jackson said McCaughn replied, “Yeah.”
“He attended the game and saw they were well beaten,” Sen. Jackson said. “He just wanted to sign on. He’s signed this proclamation.”
Sen. Jackson said the proclamation reads the Red Panthers “brought honor to their school and the state of Mississippi.”
It also says it is their second consecutive MHSAA championship and all names on the roster are on there.
“Even though we’re here to highlight their athleticism as basketball players, I also want you to know these are student-academic achievers,” said Coahoma County School District superintendent Dr. Ilean Richards. “We bring them together. They are athletes, but they also do well in their classrooms. Again, we are proud of them.”
Richards said she hopes Sen. Jackson is back next year after a third consecutive championship.
Cortney Jackson also appreciated Sen. Jackson coming.
“Sen. Jackson reached out to me about a few weeks ago because he wanted to come to the school and honor you guys and present you with a proclamation from the Mississippi State Senate, which is a big deal,” Cortney Jackson said.
