[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.


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