Senate Resolution No. 4445

BY: Senator DEFRANCISCO

CONGRATULATING the Liverpool Boys Varsity
Basketball Team upon the occasion of winning the
2018 New York State Public High School Athletic
Association Class AA Championship

WHEREAS, Excellence and success in competitive team sports can be
achieved only through rigorous practice, solid teamwork, and a dedicated
coaching staff; and

WHEREAS, Athletic competition enhances the moral and physical
development 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, promoting a desire for success, and by
developing a sense of fair play and competition; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those
student athletes within our communities, who by achieving outstanding
success in athletic competition, have inspired and brought great pride
to their school and community; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
recognize and congratulate the Liverpool Boys Varsity Basketball Team
upon the occasion of winning the 2018 New York State Public High School
Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Class AA Championship against Half
Hollow Hills East at the Floyd Maines Veterans Memorial Arena in
Binghamton on March 18, 2017; and

WHEREAS, The Liverpool Warriors capped off an unbeaten run to the
New York State Championship by defeating Half Hollow Hills East with a
final score of 71-65 for the NYSPHSAA Class AA title; and

WHEREAS, The NYSPHSAA win was the first state title for the
Liverpool Boys Varsity Basketball Team in program history, and the first
by a Section III Class AA team since 2002; and

WHEREAS, The Liverpool Warriors trailed by seven points at the half,
but determined to win, they outscored Half Hollow Hills East by 13
points in the second half of the game to rally back strong for the
championship victory; and

WHEREAS, Improving to an impressive 26-0 season record, the
Liverpool Warriors then advanced to the Federation Tournament semifinals
in Glenn Falls, where they took on PSAL Champ South Shore and ended
their sectional and state championship campaign with a 26-1 record; and

WHEREAS, The road leading up to the New York State Championship was
fierce for the Liverpool Warriors; the Class AA semifinal was played in
mid-March, and it was a 9-2 run late in the fourth quarter that lifted
Liverpool to a 70-67 win over Mount Vernon, and advanced the Liverpool
Warriors to the State title game; and

WHEREAS, Athletically and academically, the outstanding players of
the Liverpool Boys Varsity Basketball Team proved to be an unbeatable
combination of talents and determination throughout their record season,
reflecting favorably on their school, school district and community; and

WHEREAS, The impressive athletic talent displayed by the Liverpool
Warriors is due in great part to the efforts of Head Coach Ryan
Blackwell, Coach Shawn Muller and Assistant Coach Brett Liedka; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the Liverpool Boys Varsity Basketball Team's
season, the players and coaches were loyally and enthusiastically
supported by family, friends and fans throughout the entire community;
and

WHEREAS, The Liverpool Warriors rallied behind one another in
establishing a brotherhood of athletes and sportsmanship to demonstrate
that these team players are second to none; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize and congratulate the members of the Liverpool Boys Varsity
Basketball Team: Kyle Butler-Gaffney, Kyle Caves, Peter Cerrone, Ian
Conroy, Joseph DeSocio, Freshaun Dreher, La-Teef Edwards, Noah
Issakainen, Nahjeir Johnson, Connor Jones, Nicholas Klein, Jacob Piseno,
Charles Pride, Alexander Ruston, Matthew Senecal, Ryan Valentine, Joseph
Valerino, Alan Willmes Jr. and Smith A. Qu'Ran upon the occasion of
winning the 2018 NYSPHSAA Class AA Championship; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the aforementioned players and coaches of the Liverpool
Boys Varsity Basketball Team.