SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2012 SESSION

12100082D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 189
Offered January 16, 2012
Commending the Honaker High School baseball team.
----------
Patrons-- Johnson and Morefield; Senator: Puckett
----------

WHEREAS, the Honaker High School baseball team captured the 2011 Virginia High School League Group A, Division 2 baseball title in a heartwarming finish to an outstanding season and dramatic weekend of competition; and

WHEREAS, the Honaker High School baseball team entered the semifinal game of the state championship tournament at Radford University on Friday, June 10, with its veteran head coach, Tom Harding, in the hospital undergoing surgery after suffering chest pains; and

WHEREAS, the Honaker High School Tigers had been well trained, and, determined to win their beloved coach his first state baseball championship in his 41-year career, routed Region B champions Appomattox County 21 - 1 to advance to the championship game the next day; and

WHEREAS, the Honaker High School Tigers faced another team of extraordinary will, powerhouse J.J. Kelly High School, which was playing for a tenth state championship since 1982 in the last baseball game of the school’s history as the school had already been closed due to consolidation; and

WHEREAS, J.J. Kelly High School took the lead early, scoring three runs in the first inning before the Honaker High School Tigers answered, scoring two runs in the second and launching an eight-run streak in the third; and

WHEREAS, during the sixth inning, the Honaker High School Tigers began to hear a wave of applause in the stadium that culminated in a standing ovation to welcome Head Coach Tom Harding, who, in a remarkable show of strength and solidarity with his team, had left the hospital to watch the championship game; and

WHEREAS, Coach Harding’s appearance was all the Tigers needed to win the game; the team built a 16 - 8 lead before waiting out a two-hour rain delay; J.J. Kelly High School scored one more run but Tigers pitcher Chaz Miller struck out two in the final inning to clinch the state championship title; and

WHEREAS, the Honaker Tigers and fans jubilantly welcomed Coach Harding onto the field and later gave him another ovation as the team received its well-deserved trophy; and

WHEREAS, the 2011 Virginia High School League Group A, Division 2 championship baseball game will forever remain in the memories of the team, Coach Harding and his supportive staff, and the fans, students, staff, and administration of Honaker High School; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend the Honaker High School baseball team on winning the 2011 Virginia High School League Group A, Division 2 baseball title; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Head Coach Tom Harding as an expression of the General Assembly’s congratulations and admiration for the Honaker High School baseball team’s outstanding 2011 season.