HR0185 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0185 LRB103 31689 ECR 60219 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate the Mater Dei High School girls basketball team, the Lady Knights, on winning the 2023 Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 2A Girls Basketball Championship; and

WHEREAS, The Lady Knights defeated the Byron Tigers at Redbird Arena on the campus of Illinois State University on March 4, 2023, with a final score of 62-46; and

WHEREAS, The Lady Knights' win over Byron earned the team its first state basketball championship in Mater Dei history; and

WHEREAS, The Lady Knights finished the season with a 27-7 record, placing them at 26th all-time in IHSA history with 830 program wins; and

WHEREAS, Lady Knights sophomore Alyssa Koerkenmeier achieved one of two triple-doubles in state tournament history and finished with 23 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 blocks, with her 10 blocks setting a state tournament single-game record; and

WHEREAS, The Lady Knights' ethos of sportsmanship was on display during the championship game when senior forward Madison Eversgerd offered words of encouragement and a friendly hug to a discouraged competitor; and

WHEREAS, The Lady Knights recovered from a 17-7 season start, including losses in four of five games in late January and early February, to win every game thereafter, leading to a state championship and a 27-win season; and

WHEREAS, The Lady Knights basketball team is led by Head Coach Craig Zurliene and Assistant Coaches Terri Souder and Bridget Winter; and

WHEREAS, The Lady Knights basketball team includes seniors, Madison Eversgerd, Alexis Kampwerth, Julia Korte, Carissa Litteken, and Cora Meyer; juniors, Ryann Becker, Emma Eversgerd, Sam Muscarello, Avery Trame, and Madison Winkeler; sophomores, Alyssa Koerkenmeier and Maris Zurliene; and freshmen, Amelia Beer, Lily Butler, and Addison Ringwald; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Mater Dei High School girls basketball team, the Lady Knights, on winning the 2023 Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 2A Girls Basketball Championship, commend the players on their grit and sportsmanship, and wish the team continued success; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Head Coach Craig Zurliene as an expression of our respect and esteem.