LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating the Chatham Varsity Softball Team
and Coach J.B. Brantley upon the occasion of capturing the New York
State Class B Championship

WHEREAS, Excellence and success in competitive sports can be achieved
only through strenuous practice, team play and team spirit, nurtured by
dedicated coaching and strategic planning; and
WHEREAS, Athletic competition enhances the moral and physical develop-
ment of the young people of this State, preparing them for the future by
instilling in them the value of teamwork, encouraging a standard of
healthy living, imparting a desire for success and developing a sense of
fair play and competition; and
WHEREAS, The Chatham Varsity Softball Team are the New York State
Class B Champions; the Lady Panthers defeated Mynderse Academy of
Section V by a score of 4-3 in the finals on Saturday, June 9, 2012, at
the Adirondack Sports Complex in Queensbury, New York; and
WHEREAS, In addition, the Chatham Varsity Softball Team outscored
opponents 27-4 in postseason play which included four shutouts; and
WHEREAS, The Lady Panthers are winners of the "Jiggs" Vetter Sports-
manship Award presented by the New York State Softball Officials for
Class B, and were designated as the Scholar Athlete Team, having an
overall team GPA of 90 or better; and
WHEREAS, Along with the state championship, the Chatham Varsity Soft-
ball Team won the 2012 Patroon Conference Championship, the 2012
Sectional Class B Championship, and the 2012 Regional Championship; and
WHEREAS, The athletic talent displayed by this team is due in great
part to the efforts of J.B. Brantley, a skilled and inspirational tutor,
respected for his ability to develop potential into excellence; and
WHEREAS, The team's overall record is outstanding, and the team
members were loyally and enthusiastically supported by family, fans,
friends and the community at large; and
WHEREAS, The hallmarks of the Chatham Varsity Softball Team, from the
opening game of the season to participation in the championship, were a
sisterhood of athletic ability, of good sportsmanship, of honor and of
scholarship, demonstrating that these team players are second to none;
and
WHEREAS, Athletically and academically, the team members have proven
themselves to be an unbeatable combination of talents, reflecting favor-
ably on their school; and
WHEREAS, Coach J.B. Brantley has done a superb job in guiding, molding
and inspiring the team members toward their goals; and
WHEREAS, Sports competition instills the values of teamwork, pride and
accomplishment, and Coach J.B. Brantley and the outstanding athletes on
the Chatham Varsity Softball Team have clearly made a contribution to
the spirit of excellence which is a tradition of their school; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the Chatham Varsity Softball Team; its members: Courtney
Mesick, Leah Layton, Karsyn Sawyer, Lindsey Skype, Kayla Doty, Caitlin
Gilligan, Michaela Smith, Karlee Shields, Erica French, Hannah Gregg,
Allison Mesick, Kaitlin Pearson, Maddy Minahan, Karey Jornov, and Sam
Zucco; and Head Coach J.B. Brantley and Assistant Coaches Dan Gregg,
Jodi Sullivan, and Pete Minahan, as well as Scorekeeper Cheyenne
Shufelt, and Team Manager, Ahenk Yakar on their outstanding season and
overall team record; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Chatham Varsity Softball Team and to the aforementioned
coaches and staff.