LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating the Thomas Jefferson High School
Boys' Varsity Basketball Team upon the occasion of capturing the New
York State Class AA Federation 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 Thomas Jefferson High School Boys' Orange Wave Basketball
Team captured its first New York State Class AA Federation title with an
exciting 72-65 victory over Aquinas Institute on Saturday, March 19,
2016, at the Times Union Center in Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, Prior to winning the Federation Championship, the Orange Wave
finished in first place in the highly competitive Brooklyn AA Division,
and won their program's first PSAL City Championship since 1954; and
WHEREAS, The athletic talent displayed by this team is due in great
part to the efforts of Coach Lawrence Pollard and his staff, skilled and
inspirational tutors respected for their ability to turn potential into
excellence; and
WHEREAS, The team's overall record of 23-9 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 Thomas Jefferson Orange Wave, from the
opening game of the season to participation in the championship, were a
brotherhood 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 Lawrence Pollard 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 Lawrence Pollard and these outstanding
athletes 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 Thomas Jefferson High School Boys' Varsity Basketball
Team; its members: Deante Bridgett, Dashan Crittenden, Rasheem Dunn,
Malachi Faison, Kerome Grant, Monty Jackson, Jamari Lewis, Eric Massin-
gale, Tyrik Mitchell, Stephen Moncrieffe, Jordan Morgan, Shamorie Ponds,
Curtis Smith, Youssouf Traore and Marques Watson; Coach Lawrence
Pollard; Volunteer Assistant Coaches Kenneth Jones, Frank Thomas, Arian-
na Lewis, Kenny Pretlow, Seldon Jefferson, Anthony Scott, Tyrone Davis
and Carlyle Burnette; and Managers Faith Robinson, Candice Miller,
Dynasty Jackson, Brianna Peronel, Evonni Wilkerson, Kamai Pugh, Malaysia
Anderson, Karen Cutler-Pugh and Isaiah Penny on their championship
season and outstanding team record; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the members of the Thomas Jefferson High School Boys' Varsity
Basketball Team and Coach Lawrence Pollard.