WHEREAS, Prior to the 2012-13 basketball season, the closure of Germantown High School mandated the transfer of most former Germantown students to Martin Luther King High School. The partial merger was nationally publicized, including both a lengthy New York Times article and a forthcoming documentary, and concerns arose about students from former rivals attending the same school; and
WHEREAS, The Martin Luther King High School Basketball Team won the first eight games of the season before succumbing to Constitution High School; and
WHEREAS, The Cougars' amassed a 24-6 overall record on their way to a rematch with Constitution High School in the Public League Championship game; and
WHEREAS, At the end of the first quarter, the Cougars tied the game courtesy of a three-point shot by senior Gregory Bennett; and
WHEREAS, The Cougars took a 19-18 halftime lead behind junior Sammy Foreman's five second-quarter points; and
WHEREAS, By the end of the third quarter, in which junior Jabri McCall scored nine points in his MVP effort, the Cougars stretched the lead to 34-28; and
WHEREAS, With seconds on the clock, a Cougars' rebound cemented their victory; and
WHEREAS, The Cougars won the Philadelphia Public League Boys' Basketball Championship for the first time in school history; and
WHEREAS, The Cougars exhibited teamwork, commitment, and determination in leading the team to a championship season; and
WHEREAS, Under the dedicated direction of Head Coach Sean Colson and Principal William Wade, the Cougars, through their signature Purple and Gold colors, set a standard of achievement for themselves and for others to follow; and
WHEREAS, The pride that the 2013-14 Cougars exhibited by accepting the challenges presented by political circumstances beyond their control was evident throughout the season and they have insured an honored place in Philadelphia Public League basketball history through their season of great achievement; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize and honor the Martin Luther King High School Boys Basketball Team for their outstanding achievements during the 2013-14 season.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Martin Luther King High School as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body
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