[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 103 (Thursday, June 22, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1316-E1317]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRATULATIONS LEXINGTON, LEDFORD, AND ANDREWS BASKETBALL TEAMS
______
HON. HOWARD COBLE
of north carolina
in the house of representatives
Thursday, June 22, 1995
Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, before we bring this year's basketball season
to a close, I must say a few words about three basketball teams in my
congressional district. The Sixth District of North Carolina was
fortunate enough this year to have three high school squads capture
State championships.
We are proud that Lexington High School of Davidson County won the
boys' 2-A championship, Ledford High School also of Davidson County won
the girls' 2-A championship, and High Point Andrews High School of
Guilford County won the boys' 3-A championship.
On Saturday, March 25, 1995, two Davidson County high schools
captured North Carolina basketball titles. The Lexington boys and
Ledford girls won their respective State 2-A championships. Let's begin
with the Lexington Yellow Jackets, a team many people did not think
could win a championship this year.
Lexington finished third in the Carolina Conference with a 22-9
record. The Yellow Jackets were playing the title game against the 27-1
Whiteville Wolfpack, considered to be the best 2-A team in the State.
Lexington won the title game with a thrilling 69-67 victory when center
Bernard McIntosh followed his own missed free-throw attempt with a
putback basket at the buzzer. McIntosh, who scored 28 points and pulled
down 12 rebounds in the game was named MVP of the game which was played
at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill.
The Wolfpack coach told the Lexington Dispatch that the loss to the
Yellow Jackets was hard to believe. ``We thought we were going to win
the State title,'' Wolfpack coach Glenn McKoy told the Davidson County
newspaper. ``I guess we still have something to work for next year.
Hey, Lexington has a real fine ball club. My hat goes off to them.''
Our hats go off to all of the members of the Yellow Jacket basketball
squad. Congratulations to head coach Michael Gurley and his assistant
coaches Robert Hairston and Jim Snyder. Congratulations are extended to
every member of the team: Courtney Adams, Chad Griffith, Vince
Williams, LeMar Hargrave, Rocke Shivers, Jason Zimmerman, Chad Walker,
Antonio Threadgill, Marcus Hargrave, Toy Cade, Martin Saddler, Bernard
McIntosh, J.D. Harris, Bert Davis, Chad Hearst, and Todric Jenkins.
As with every successful endeavor, the new champions could not have
achieved what they did without a great supporting cast. A tip of the
cap is in order for administrative assistant coaches Ellen Garner and
Heather Gurley, student assistant coach Paul Lyon, managers Rick
Conner, Tyrone McCandies, Michael Evans, Jake Rowe, and Josh Lovell and
mascot Hayden Gurley. Three cheers for cheerleading director Ginger
Fritts and her squad of cheerleaders: Antionette Kerr, Carsha Cravon,
Angie Harris, Heather Cox, Tory Wilson, Emily Halverson, and Tamika
Anderson.
To Principal Ashley Hinson, Athletic Director West Lamoureaux, the
faculty, staff, students, families, and friends of Lexington High
School, we offer our congratulations on winning the North Carolina 2-A
high school boys' basketball championship.
The other Davidson County high school to win a State basketball title
this year was the Lady Panthers of Ledford High School of Thomasville,
NC. On March 25, the Lady Panthers traveled to Chapel Hill to play in
Carmichael Auditorium and capture the girls' 2-A crown with a 65-60 win
over Southwest Guildord, another Sixth District high school.
Head Coast John Ralls told the Thomasville Times that it was the
third straight game of the playoffs that his team used a timely last-
minute drive to seal the victory. ``That's hitting the nail on the
head,'' Ralls told the Thomasville newspaper. ``They had poise and
composure under pressure . . . and lots of pressure, especially
(tonight). They just handled themselves well and did the things they
had to do to win.'' That included turning to a youngster for
leadership--when needed. Freshman Stacey Hinkle was named MVP for her
15-point performance in the title contest.
Congratulations to Coach Ralls and his assistant coaches Joe Davis
and Allen Patterson. In addition to Hinkle, the freshman MVP, every
member of the Lady Panther team can equally share this year's
championship: Ruth Armstrong, Laurie Smith, Kelly Thomas, Quinn
Homesley, Amy Wells, Amanda Reese, Misty Sharp, Ginger Cox, Sara Day,
Courtney Patterson, Marcy Newton, and Tracie New. Strong support was
given to the Lady Panthers throughout the year by manager Sarah Hester,
video manager Aaron Kindley, statistician Zac Herrmann, and scorekeeper
Shelly Barrett.
This is the second time Coach Ralls has led the Lady Panthers to a
State title. In 1991, Ledford High School won the State softball crown.
Coach Ralls told the Thomasville Times, ``It's kinda neat. I really
like it. I mean [[Page E 1317]] whatever sport you're coaching in
that's what you're working for--to try to get your team to win a state
championship. So, it's something we wanted to do.'' This year's Lady
Panthers finished their championship season with a record of 29-3. Over
the past five basketball seasons, Coach Ralls has guided the Ledford
girl hoopsters to a 113-27 record, an 80.7 winning percentage.
Congratulations to Principal Max Cole, Athletic Director Gary Hinkle,
the faculty, staff, students, families, and friends of Ledford High
School for joining with Lexington High School to make sure that the
State's 2-A basketball championship trophies reside within the
boundaries of Davidson County.
The third high school in the Sixth District to win a basketball
championship this year was T. Wingate Andrews High School of High
Point, NC. On March 25, the Red Raiders dominated Wake Forest-
Rolesville High School 71-51 to secure the State boys' 3-A basketball
championship.
Andrews thoroughly dominated a Rolesville team that entered the title
contest on--as its name implies--a roll. The Cougars had won their
previous 20 contests this season and have won six State titles over the
years. But at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill this year, the
Cougars couldn't even score for the first 4 minutes 40 seconds of the
contest against the Red Raiders of Andrews.
``We had a lot of support,'' Andrews Head Coach Robert Clemons told
the Greensboro News & Record, ``the kids played hard and we won this
thing. I feel relieved. I put a lot of pressure on myself. Our
administration, they were very supportive. They didn't put any pressure
on me. I did it all myself. And then I just put the responsibility on
the kids and they responded well.''
That may be the understatement of the year. I am sure that Coach
Clemons will be the first to say it was a total team effort, but
special mention must be made of championship MVP David Wall who led all
scorers with 20 points. Each Red Raider, however, played a vital role
in the title drive for Andrews. Congratulations are given to Torrey
Bright, Jason Blackwood, Antwan Hilton, Cory Dawkins, Jimmy Mangum,
Marcus Wilson, Cardise Reed, Brian Gane, Quincey Dixon, B.J. Rogers,
Rico Leach, J.J. McQueen, and Steve Myers for bringing home the trophy.
In addition to Coach Clemons we offer our thanks to assistant coaches
Myron Grimes and Dana Conte and scorekeeper Liz Kimbro for their
efforts during the run to the top. Congratulations to Principal Jerry
Hairston, Athletic Director Sue Shinn, the faculty, staff, students,
families and friends of T. Wingate Andrews for capturing the State 3-A
boys' basketball championship.
North Carolina is known as a basketball hotbed. Thanks to Lexington,
Ledford, and Andrews, those of us who call the Sixth District home can
truthfully say that we are at the center of the North Carolina
basketball universe.
____________________