Honor Girls Basketball Champions

March 18, 2017 WHEREAS, Individual and team championships are highly sought after in high school sports; this Legislative Body commends rare athletic achievements and pays special recognition to those who pursue such excellence and become examples for the youth of this great Empire State; and WHEREAS, Athletic competition helps to enhance both the moral and physical development of young athletes, preparing them for the future by instilling in them the importance of teamwork, encouraging a standard of healthy living, and developing a sense of fair play and competition; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate the Baldwin High School Girls Basketball Team and Head Coach Tom Catapano upon the occasion of capturing the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class AA Championship; to the praise and applause of their excited fans, the Bruins defeated Ossining High School in a decisive 73-45 victory to capture the Championship on Saturday, March

18, 2017, at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York; and WHEREAS, This monumental win marked the Baldwin High School Girls Varsity Basketball Team's first state title; throughout the game, the Bruins played nearly perfect basketball, pairing efficient offense with their signature brand of pressure defense; and WHEREAS, Proudly donning the school's colors of blue and gold, family, friends, and the community at large loyally and enthusiastically supported the Bruins throughout their journey as they ended their season with an impressive 21-1 overall record; and WHEREAS, In a sport such as basketball, which demands athletic prowess, speed and agility, Head Coach Tom Catapano and his expert coaching staff worked hard to hone the skills of this championship team, teaching these outstanding athletes lessons which will prove invaluable both on and off the field; and WHEREAS, Head Coach Tom Catapano and all of the outstanding athletes on the Baldwin High School Girls Basketball Team have clearly utilized dedication, determination and teamwork in providing a lasting contribution to the spirit of excellence which is a tradition of their school; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to congratulate the members of the Baldwin High School Girls Basketball Team: Mariah Benavides, Aziah Hudson, Kayla Brown, Kaia Harrison, Sarah Pulis, Nicolette Manzella, Jenna Annecchiarico, Kezjahree Wingate, Jada Watts, Lexi Aponte, Jamillia Moore, Nadia Elcock, Elena Randolph, Donnetta Johnson, Montia Moon, Ebony Duvert, Sarah Henry, and Meaghan George; and Head Coach Tom Catapano upon the occasion of capturing the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class AA Championship on March 18, 2017; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the members of the Baldwin High School Girls Basketball Team, and Head Coach Tom Catapano.