[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 48 (Thursday, April 28, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[Congressional Record: April 28, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE SOUTH BEND CLAY HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM
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HON. TIM ROEMER
of indiana
in the house of representatives
Thursday, April 28, 1994
Mr. ROEMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute a group of
constituents in my district who have distinguished themselves with
excellence and sportsmanship. They have experienced the dream of every
Hoosier boy who holds in his heart the love of the game of basketball--
winning the Indiana High School Basketball Championship. While the rest
of the Nation experiences March Madness with the undertaking of the
NCAA Tournament, Indiana is already afflicted with Hoosier Hysteria, a
constant condition that engulfs much of its population from late
November until it reaches fever pitch in March with the State finals.
Each year nearly 400 high schools from all over Indiana, both large and
small, enter the State tournament to compete for what has been
described as the most coveted prep crown in the world. Unlike many
other States, Indiana does not employ a class system for basketball,
where teams are tiered by their respective sizes. In Indiana, all
schools are on equal footing and without seeding. By the time the 384
team tournament is completed, there is only one champion.
Mr. Speaker, Jacques Barzun once wrote, ``Whoever wants to know the
heart and mind of America had better learn basketball.'' I say to
understand Indiana one must learn the game of basketball. While
basketball was not created in the Hoosierland, it is where the game was
instilled with it its heart and soul. For in Indiana, basketball is
more than a game, it is the very fabric of its social being. Towns and
communities find their identities in their high schools and their
teams. It is no accident or mere coincidence that 14 of the 15 largest
high school gymnasiums in the Nation are in the State. Indiana holds
the record for the largest crowd to ever witness a high school
basketball game when over 40,000 people attended a State final game in
1990. It is the home of tiny Milan, the mighty titan who, with an
enrollment of only 60 students, won the State Championship against a
bigger and stronger city school and who inspired the movie ``Hoosiers''
which has become a memorable part of American sports legend. It is the
home of the famed John Wooden, who was not only a high school star in
his own right, but one who went on to become national college player of
the year and also the greatest coach ever by guiding his college team
to an unprecedented and unequaled record 10 national championships.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today, not to reiterate Indiana High School's
long and rich tradition of basketball, but to salute a team who has
demonstrated themselves to be worthy of the title Indiana State
Champions. In 1994, the South Bend Clay Colonials reached the pinnacle
of high school sports by claiming what has been described as the most
exciting championship game in the storied history of the State
Tournament. South Bend Clay entered the finals as the least favorite of
the four entries. They had not even won their own conference during the
regular season, yielding to a tough and worthy adversary, Elkhart
Central. They avenged this loss on their way to the finals, only to
find two nationally ranked opponents standing in their way.
After defeating a tough New Albany team, a team who had beaten the
defending State champion twice and who held the eighth position in the
USA Today national rankings, South Bend Clay went on to face the
undefeated Valparaiso Vikings, who were ranked No. 1 in the State and
13th nationally. The Colonials were down eight points with 46 seconds
left to play when they staged one of the most improbable and incredible
comebacks ever. They cut the lead to just three, and with 7 seconds to
play, they brought the ball down the length of the court and sophomore
Jaraan Cornell launched the 3-point shot heard throughout the State.
The ball went through the net with one-tenth of a second left to tie
the game. The result of overtime seemed academic and anti-climactic.
The Colonials' momentum carried them to the school's first Basketball
State Championship and South Bend's first in 37 years. I would like to
take this opportunity to salute coach Tom DeBaets, his staff, Jim
Parent, Ken Vargo, Steven Scott, Pat Sousley, Mike Jackson, athletic
director Greg Humnicky, principal Joann Ollman, the trainers, Carole
Gonglewski, Susan Graves, and Meera Gupta. Most importantly, I
recognize the players who displayed sportsmanship and determination in
the face of adversity, Joe Hunter, Michael Lee, Kerry Pates, Chad
Hudnall, Jaraan Cornell, Charles Bonds, Steve Griffin, Yul Lee, Jeff
Proctor, Jon White, LeShawn Nailon, and Lee Nailon. But because a
basketball championship is won not only on the court with talent and
strategy, but in the school and in the stands with support and
assistance, I would like to salute assistant principals Mike Downey,
George Jones, ticket manager Vic Papai, scorer Jim Morgan, statistician
Howard Wallace, student managers Willie Rogers, Bjorn Bauer, Joey
Acklin, Jason Shirrell, Jeff Shirrell, the cheerleaders, Julie Kleiser,
Stephanie Viraghazi, Heather Schaack, Natalie Hansen, Meldora Milon,
Angela Bole, Andrea Rodriguez, and finally, the parents and student
body of Clay High School. Their achievement speaks well not only of
Clay High School and the South Bend community, but of young people
everywhere. Given goals and the tools to pursue them, they can attain
their dreams, even reaching the pinnacle of high school athletics, the
Indiana Boys Basketball State Championship.
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