2013 -- S 0793

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING THE CLASSICAL HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' BASKETBALL TEAM ON

WINNING THE 2013 BOYS' BASKETBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

     Introduced By: Senators Jabour, Lombardi, Pichardo, Metts, and Ruggerio

     Date Introduced: March 27, 2013

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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     WHEREAS, Led by the innovative and sterling coaching of Head Coach John Kavanagh

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and Assistant Coach Josh Yeaw, and the exemplary leadership of their "Big Three" Captains

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Kealen Ives, Ismael Batista, and Terrill Toe, the Classical High School Boys' Basketball Team

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stormed into the state playoffs and won the 2013 Boys' Basketball State Championship; and

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     WHEREAS, After compiling a regular season record of 15-3 and finishing the runner-up

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in the Division Tournament, the Classical Boys' Basketball Team entered the 2013 Boys'

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Basketball State Championship playoffs on a mission to redeem themselves after a disappointing

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loss in the 2012 Boys' Basketball playoffs; and

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     WHEREAS, Classical squeaked by West Warwick in the first round by a score of 50-47,

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and then easily dispatched Westerly in the Quarterfinals by the score of 81-32, setting up a highly

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anticipated Final 4 match with North Smithfield, a team that, up until this game, had won an

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astounding twenty-six games in a row. In a thrilling back and forth contest that was tied at 54-54

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with 3:37 to play, Classical responded to a North Smithfield rally by keeping their cool and

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scoring the last seven points of the game to emerge victorious and earn the right to play North

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Kingstown for the State Championship; and

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     WHEREAS, In an exciting Championship game at the Ryan Center, one that will be

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long-remembered as one of the best games in Rhode Island High School basketball history,

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Classical stormed back from a 29-22, seven point half-time deficit and won a hard-fought and

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hard-earned victory by the score of 57-52 to win the 2013 Boys' Basketball State Championship.

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The game turned when Classical, with their backs against the wall, went on an 11-0 run led by

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their "Big Three," Kealen Ives, a good shooting, play-making point guard, Ismael Batista, a guard

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who plays big and rebounds like a forward, and Terrill Toe, a dangerous three-point shooting

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threat. It is only fitting that these three senior leaders and Captains of the Classical High School

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Boys' Basketball Team end their high school basketball careers as Champions; and

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     WHEREAS, Winning a State Title requires a total team effort with every member of the

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team devoting themselves selflessly to the team. Classical is such a team and emerged as state

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champions due to the hard work and unselfish play of Captains Kealen Ives, Ismael Batista, and

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Terrill Toe, and team members William Leviton, Jonathan Oloja, Claudius Cooper, Jacob Lamar,

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Oscar Morales, Ariel Batista, Jaylon Price, Thomas McKiernan, and Devin Northup, as well as

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the sterling leadership provided by Head Coach John Kavanagh, Assistant Coach Josh Yeaw, and

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Volunteer Calvin Jones; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

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hereby congratulates the Classical High School Boys' Basketball Team on winning the 2013

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Rhode Island Boys' Basketball State Championship; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of state be an hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. John Kavanagh.

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