[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

                                 ______


                            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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