COMMENDATIONS: Commends the Ben's Ford Christian School girls basketball team on winning the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools 2026 Class 3A state championship

2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Wyble

Louisiana honors Ben’s Ford Christian School’s girls basketball team for winning the MAIS 2026 Class 3A state championship.

Taken by the Clerk of the House and presented to the Secretary of State in accordance with the Rules of the House.

Purpose and Intent

The bill is a House Resolution (HR 116) that publicly commends the Ben’s Ford Christian School girls basketball team for winning the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) 2026 Class 3A state championship.

It recognizes the team’s season, achievement, and the school’s broader mission and values.

Key Provisions and Changes

Formal commendation: The resolution states that the Louisiana House of Representatives commends the Ben’s Ford Christian School girls basketball team for winning the MAIS 2026 Class 3A state championship.

Encouragement: The resolution includes a message encouraging the players, coaches, and team staff to continue their excellent work and strive for greatness in competition.

Specific attribution: Identifies the school as a private educational institution founded in 1983 with a Christian-based educational approach.

Team details:

The 2025-2026 season marks the first time the school’s girls’ basketball team won a state championship.
The team improved from a record of 0-25 a decade earlier to 25-7 in the championship year.
Coached by Mark McGehee and Derek Dantin; statistician listed as Mitchell Castleberry.
Team members named: Avery Bell, Scarlet Barber, Zoe Nastasia, Abby Robichaux, Kinley Stewart, Matilda Golby, Annabelle Knight, Delaney Perrette, Avery Dantin, Alivia Harrington, Rebecca Cyuzuzo, Zoe Houston, Maddie Willis.

Who/What Is Affected

Primary subject: Ben’s Ford Christian School (a private school in Louisiana) and its girls basketball program.

Indirect beneficiaries: The student-athletes, coaches, and staff associated with the program.

The resolution serves as formal acknowledgement by the state legislative body, rather than imposing regulatory or funding changes.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Action history confirms standard House procedure for a resolutions item:

Read by title and adopted on April 13, 2026.
Taken by the Clerk and presented to the Secretary of State on April 15, 2026, in accordance with House rules.

No fiscal impact, statutory changes, or policy mandates are introduced; this is a ceremonial commendation.

Observations

The bill functions as a ceremonial recognition rather than a substantive policy measure.

It highlights a notable achievement in high school athletics and documents the historical improvement of the program.

The resolution may contribute to the school’s public profile and morale but does not direct public resources or affect state law beyond symbolic acknowledgment.

Bill