RCS girls basketball team headed to the state capital

The Rogersville City School girls basketball team is heading to Nashville where its state championship will be celebrated by the Tennessee House of Representatives.

RCS Director Edwin Jarnagin told his Board of Education Tuesday he doesn’t yet know which day the girls will be visiting the state Capital Building, but he does know it will be on a Monday.

The cheerleaders will be traveling with the girls basketball team to the capital as well.

Jarnagin told the BOE that the girls will leave Rogersville early that morning, have lunch at the Capital, tour the Capital Building, and then at 4 p.m. they will be recognized on the House floor.

Rep. Gary Hicks, R-Rogersville, who also happens to be an employee of Rogersville City School, has been working hard on this trip for the team, Jarnagin said.

In related news, seven members of the RCS girls basketball team attended Tuesday’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting where City Attorney Kevin Keaton read aloud a proclamation in their honor.

“The commitment, hard work, team chemistry, sportsmanship, and talent of the 2023-24 Rogersville City School girls basketball team enabled these student athletes to compile a historically impressive and unmatched overall record of 28 wins and zero losses,” the proclamation states.

“The coaching staff and players of the Rogersville City School girls basketball team made a great impact on their schools and community, as evidenced by the outpouring of support and pride from their families, friends, and citizens of Rogersville and Hawkins County. It is with great pride that the Board of Mayor and aldermen recognize the commitment, dedication, and success of these student athletes.”

Jarnagin told the BMA that the entire team wanted to attend Tuesday’s meeting, but some players were sick, some were playing for the RCS softball team, the coach is on bed rest about to give birth, and the assistant coach was coaching softball.

“We really appreciate the city and the community,” Jarnagin told the BMA. “The parents have been tremendous. They’ve got one more trip. They’re going to get to go the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent our city and be recognized. We’re working on transportation right now.”

The board members and the audience applauded the girls, and members of the BMA complimented their hard work and dedication.