2025 -- H 6143

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LC002641

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF RHODE ISLAND WOMEN'S

BASKETBALL TEAM ON WINNING THE NATIONAL JUNIOR COLLEGE ATHLETIC

ASSOCIATION REGION XXI CONFERENCE FOR THE FOURTH YEAR IN A ROW AND

EARNING A BERTH IN THE 2025 NJCAA DIVISION III NATIONAL TOURNAMENT

     Introduced By: Representatives Felix, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Paplauskas,
Kennedy, Ajello, Shallcross Smith, Fogarty, and Bennett

     Date Introduced: March 27, 2025

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The Community College of Rhode Island Lady Knights Basketball Team,

led by the sterling coaching provided by Hall of Fame CCRI Alumnus Head Coach, Doug

Haynes, continued their four-year run and dominant play on the court as they compiled an

outstanding overall record of 24-6, and a perfect 13-0 record in conference play; and

     WHEREAS, For the fourth year in a row, the Lady Knights Basketball Team won the

National Junior College Athletic Association Region XXI Conference and earned a berth in the

2025 NJCAA Division III National Tournament. Tracing back to the 2001-2002 season, the

women's team has won an unprecedented 50 consecutive games against Region XXI Conference

Schools, one of the most impressive achievements in the history of college sports; and

     WHEREAS, In the Region XXI Tournament, the Lady Knights held the first seed, and

showed why they were a force to be reckoned with in the first round when they dominated their

opponent, Northern Essex Community College with a score of 94-52, to advance to the

championship game. In the title game, the Lady Knights once again excelled under pressure,

defeating UConn Avery Point 75-59 to secure an invitation to the 2025 NJCAA Division III

National Tournament where they finished their season strong, after dropping the first game, by

defeating Owens Community College in the consolation game; and

     WHEREAS, Being a championship team requires that every member of the team gives

their all at all times and always places team needs ahead of individual aspirations. The Lady

Knights had those attributes in abundance all season as they were led by the outstanding play

provided by star player Stephanie Walker of Providence, who led the team in scoring and

rebounding, Angelisse Melendez of North Providence, who broke the school record of all-time

three-pointers made with 158, including 8 points scored in the Regional Semifinal, and Tatiana

Pereira, who led the Lady Knights with 27 points scored in the Regional Final. Other team

members include Jayanah Rollins, Kellylyn Kozlin, Sydney Waitekus, Jav’Viona Smith-

Littlejohn, Kelsey Hatch, Pamela Galva, Rihanna Tavares, Trinity Burk and Nadine Ogni; and

     WHEREAS, The Lady Knights also benefitted all season by the outstanding leadership

and guidance that was provided by Head Coach, Doug Haynes and Assistant Coaches, Victoria

Wilkerson, Derrick Campbell, and Katherine Raposo; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

heartily congratulates the Community College of Rhode Island Women's Basketball Team on

winning the National Junior College Athletic Association Region XXI Conference for the fourth

year in a row and earning a berth in the 2025 NJCAA Division III National Tournament; and be it

further

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

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the CCRI Women's Basketball Team Head

Coach, Doug Haynes.

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