South Carolina H 5688: Wardlaw Academy varsity girls basketball

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 5688 Text of Previous Version (May. 12, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 5688

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

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A house RESOLUTION

to honor and recognize the Wardlaw Academy girls Varsity 
basketball team, coaches, and school officials for an outstanding season and to 
congratulate them on winning the South Carolina Independent School Association 
Class 1A State Championship title. 

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina House of Representatives were pleased to hear that the 
Wardlaw Academy girls varsity basketball team won the South Carolina 
Independent School Association Class 1A State Championship title at the 
championship game held at the Sumter County Civic Center on Friday, February 
27, 2026; and

Whereas, this win marks 
the Wardlaw girls varsity basketball team's first championship title since 
2009; and 

Whereas, after 
finishing last season as the SCISA Class 1A state runner up, the Wardlaw 
Patriots were determined to come out on top this season. The Patriots entered 
the season with just eight players: seniors Taylor Hill, Katherine Trotter, and 
Brianna McNeil; sophomore Lillie Stocum; freshmen Brooklyn Proctor and 
Charlotte Grace Culver; and eighth graders Mary Blanche Stark and Savannah 
McNeil. They knew that they had to put in the work this season to get back to 
the championship game. Their hard work and determination paid off, as they not 
only made it to the championship game, but also defeated the Richard Winn 
Academy Eagles 43-39; and

Whereas, both teams 
came into this final game with a 13-7 record. This championship game was the 
fifth meeting of the two this season, with the Patriots only winning one of the 
previous games against their rivals. The Patriots knew that it would take all 
the effort and strength that they had to come out on top when they met the 
Eagles again in the championship game. After trailing by sixteen points in the 
first quarter and seven points at halftime, the Patriots were able to turn it 
around and outscore the Eagles 26-15 in the second half, claiming the 2026 
championship title; and 

Whereas, Katherine Trotter 
led Wardlaw in scoring with seventeen points, while teammate Taylor Hill finished 
the game with fifteen points. Brianna McNeil finished with seven points, while 
Lillie Stocum and Mary Blanche Stark earned two points each for the Patriots. The 
team's three seniors, Taylor Hill, Katherine Trotter, and Brianna McNeil were 
named to the All-Tournament team; and 

Whereas, in a sport 
that requires both physical and mental strength, Head Coach Kristina Spurlock 
and her talented coaching staff utilized their own experience and passion for 
the sport to craft a championship-caliber team. The lessons that they have 
taught these young athletes will continue to prove invaluable on and off the 
court; and 

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina House of Representatives value the pride and recognition 
that the Wardlaw Academy girls varsity basketball team have brought to their 
school and community. The members look forward to hearing of their future 
achievements in the days to come. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the 
South Carolina House of Representatives, 
by this resolution, honor and recognize the Wardlaw Academy girls varsity 
basketball team, coaches, and school officials for an outstanding season and 
congratulate them on winning the South Carolina Independent School Association 
Class 1A State Championship title.

Be it further resolved 
that a copy of this resolution be presented to Wardlaw Academy Head of School 
Dr. Jared Smith and Head Coach Kristina Spurlock.

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This web page was last updated on May 12, 2026 at 12:39 PM