WHEREAS, It is the policy of the Washington State Legislature to recognize excellence in all fields of endeavor; and
     WHEREAS, The Prairie High School Falcons Girls' Basketball team capped off an amazing season by winning the State Class 4A Girls' Basketball Tournament; and
     WHEREAS, The final game ended with a Falcon rally enabling them to beat the top-ranked, two-time defending champion, Central Valley High School of Spokane; and
     WHEREAS, The Falcons finished the 2003 season with an outstanding record of 28 wins and 2 losses; and
     WHEREAS, Their victory over their adversaries was truly an example of the team's perseverance and achievement in their field; and
     WHEREAS, Showing exceptional defensive prowess, Andrea Sitton with assistance from her teammates shut down her opponents leading scorer; and
     WHEREAS, In the 4th quarter as the Falcons were trailing, guard Lauren Short turned the tide of the game with three steals in the span of two minutes, resulting in five Prairie points; and
     WHEREAS, Forward Jessica Menkens sealed the deal by sinking four free throws in the final 18 seconds and in the final game, along with Andrea Sitton, scored a team high 15 points; and
     WHEREAS, The rest of the Falcons team, Ticey Westbrooks, Kaela Zarkovich, Denise Benedict, Shree Glover, Rachel Sratton, Amy Donovan, Brittany MacGregor, Jamey Gelhar, and Gina Griffiths, are shining examples of the dedication and teamwork it takes to be champions; and
     WHEREAS, Both head coach Al Alridge and assistant coaches, Ken Storey, Kurt Sitton, and Paul White, deserve special recognition for guiding this talented team of young women to victory; and
     WHEREAS, This victory is the fourth state title for the Prairie High School Falcons as a 4A team, the most for any school, and the school's fifth overall; and
     WHEREAS, The extraordinary accomplishments could not have been achieved without the support and encouragement of the students, alumni, families, friends, and community members, who backed them all the way;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate of the state of Washington honor the 2003 Prairie High School Falcons Girls' Basketball team; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the 2003 Prairie High School Falcons Girls' Basketball team Head Coach Al Aldridge, Principal Greg Parcher, and every member of the championship team.