Sacramento – Today the California State Assembly honored the McClymonds High School Men's basketball team on the Assembly Floor. The team won the California Interscholastic Federation Division 1 Men's State Championship with a perfect 32-0 season. Assemblymember Sandré R. Swanson (D-Oakland) presented both the students and Coach Dwight Nathaniel with resolutions commemorating the event on the Assembly floor.

"The Warriors accomplished an amazing feat. Not only did they win the State Championship, their first in 30 years, they did it on their way to an undefeated season. In winning this championship, these young men exhibited teamwork, dedication, and maturity that made their school and their community proud," Assemblymember Swanson stated.

Frank Otis, a graduating senior and one of the captains of the team, summed up his teammates' feelings on the victory, "It was a big relief. This was everyone's dream for the last two years. We got to the final championship game last year, only to lose. This year was a chance to redeem ourselves, and we did." Otis has been accepted to Southern Methodist University in Texas on a full-ride basketball scholarship. He will attend in the fall.

The team defeated Dominguez high school of Compton in March for the boy's Division I State Championship. The team's perfect season is a first since the formation of the California Interscholastic Federation. The victory reconnects the school to its storied history of producing legendary athletes, including NBA star Bill Russell, and MLB Hall of Famer Frank Robinson.

After the ceremony, the students were featured at a reception elsewhere in the Capitol. Lt. Governor John Garamendi presented the students with individual certificates, "It takes commitment, perseverance and teamwork to have a perfect season and an even greater accomplishment of winning a state championship, I commend the McClymond's High Basketball team on a job well done You have represented your school, section, and state admirably and have inspired your peers to reach their highest potential," stated Garamendi.

Reflecting on the season, Coach Nathaniel stated, "This was a fantastic final year for many of the students and myself. Last year we got all the way to the state championships, only to lose. Eight of the students on the team at the time were determined to come back and do better this year. The only way the could do better was to win. They not only did that, they did it with a perfect record. It was a magical season."

Swanson concluded, "This victory is very inspiring for the school and for me as an Oakland native. Their victory is another reminder that our children can achieve great things if we invest the time, care, and resources in them and their future.

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Press note:  A copy of the Governor’s letter to Congressional leaders can be found at http://gov.ca.gov/press-release/9380/.