SR0886 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0886 LRB103 40117 LAW 71764 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate wish to congratulate the West Central Co-op boys basketball team, the Cougars, on winning the 2023-2024 Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 1A State Championship; and

WHEREAS, The West Central Co-op boys basketball team is a cooperative boys basketball team between Bluffs High School and Winchester High School; and

WHEREAS, The West Central Co-op boys basketball team defeated the Meridian High School boys basketball team, the Bobcats, in the final championship game with a score of 62 to 43 at the State Farm Center in Champaign on March 9, 2024, marking the first state championship victory in the co-op's history as well as the school histories of Bluffs High School and Winchester High School; and

WHEREAS, The West Central Co-op boys basketball team concluded the 2023-2024 season with a record of 36-3, earning the most wins for a single season in the co-op's history and the school histories of Bluffs High School and Winchester High School; and

WHEREAS, The West Central Co-op boys basketball team further won all three of its regular season tournaments, the Beardstown Thanksgiving Tournament, the Waverly Holiday Tournament, and the 101st Winchester Invitational Tournament; and

WHEREAS, The West Central Co-op boys basketball team was also named the champion of the Western Illinois Valley Conference (WIVC), remaining undefeated with a 9-0 record; and

WHEREAS, The West Central Co-op boys basketball team performed with passion, dedication, and love for the game; and

WHEREAS, The West Central Co-op boys basketball team includes seniors Mason Berry, Zack Evans, and Chance Little, juniors Carson Brown, Zac Howard, Caden Meyer, and Cameron Sievers, sophomores Carson Clevenger, Ryker Ford, and Nick Hamilton, and freshmen Gabe Howard and Blayne Sidwell; and

WHEREAS, The West Central Co-op boys basketball team is led by Varsity Coach Ryan Sichting and Assistant Coaches Bill Jacquot and Brady Slagle; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the West Central Co-op boys basketball team, the Cougars, on winning the 2023-2024 Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 1A State Championship, and we wish the team continued success; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the West Central Co-op boys basketball team as an expression of our esteem and respect.