Offered By: Representatives Lafayette of Burlington, Tracy of Burlington, Little of Shelburne

NO. R-284Page 1

NO. R-284. JOINT RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING THE RICE MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL 2000 DIVISION I CHAMPIONSHIP BOYS’ BASKETBALL TEAM.

(J.R.H. 221)

Offered by: Representatives Lafayette of Burlington, Tracy of Burlington, Little of Shelburne and Hummel of Underhill.

Whereas, the Rice Memorial High School boys’ basketball team, though seeded first in the 2000 Division I playoffs, was paired against traditional rival Burlington High School, which twice defeated the Rice team and had prevented Rice from achieving a perfect season, and

Whereas, hardly daunted by the prospect of this formidable crosstown rival, the men from Rice High School entered the basketball court at St. Michael’s College prepared to win their first championship title since 1985, and

Whereas, as the game reached the halfway mark, the initial Rice lead of 22-10 had temporarily evaporated as the two crosstown competitors exited from the court with the Burlington Seahorses holding a very narrow 39-37 edge, and

Whereas, as the second half commenced, Rice junior Mike Cioffi scored a three-point play that was the start of a 12-point personal offensive drive during the third quarter and a game total of 23 points, and

Whereas, Cioffi’s scoring extravaganza set the pace for an overwhelming 78-62 Rice victory, and

Whereas, an impressive offensive prowess was ably demonstrated throughout the evening by Rice players Andrew McDonald, Alex Lloyd and Nick Landrigan who tapped into the basket 16, 14 and 12 points respectively, and

Whereas, Coach Kevin Cieplicki thoughts were with his father, former Rice boys’ basketball coach, Bernie Cieplicki, who died last year, and would have been very gratified by the team’s wonderful season, and

Whereas, the Division I crown was earned through the dedication of the outstanding Rice players such as Chris Gosselin, Kyle Cieplicki, Mike Fitts, Lance Besaw, Nick Tipson, Matt Montange, Pat McDonald, Mike Clark, Jeremy Reis and Lee Greenberg, and

Whereas, assistant coaches Frank Papillo and John Galle provided invaluable aid to Coach Cieplicki, now therefore be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:

That the General Assembly congratulates the outstanding players and coaches of the 2000 Rice Memorial High School Division I championship boys’ basketball team, and be it further

Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Coach Kevin Cieplicki at Rice Memorial High School in South Burlington.

VT LEG 125588.1