[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 62 (Tuesday, May 7, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E729-E730]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

                                 ______


                           HON. HOWARD COBLE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 7, 1996

  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, as the National Basketball Association 
playoffs move into high gear, I would like to pause for a moment to 
recognize some young basketball players from North Carolina who 
achieved the ultimate thrill--winning State high school basketball 
championships. We are particularly thrilled, Mr. Speaker, because all 
three high schools are located in our part of the State.
  North Carolina has long divided its schools into classifications to 
determine sports champions. This method offers an assurance that 
schools of equal size can compete fairly. This system also allows more 
schools the opportunity to compete for titles and trophies. We are 
proud to say, Mr. Speaker, that the Piedmont Triad is the home of North 
Carolina's 4-A, 3-A and 2-A champions for 1996. One three high school 
basketball champions were crowned on March 23 in Chapel Hill, NC.

[[Page E730]]

  In the 2-A class, it was an all-Sixth District battle as Southwest 
Guilford High School defeated Thomasville 64-57. The Cowboys' win 
capped an outstanding 30-2 season for head coach Robert Kent's talented 
squad. State championships are nothing new at Southwest Guilford. In 
just the last few years, boys and girls soccer and girls volleyball all 
captured North Carolina championships. In the 1994-95 school year, 
Southwest Guilford was awarded the Wachovia Cup for all-around athletic 
excellence for 2-A schools. Southwest also has won the last two News & 
Record Cups for overall excellence among the 14 public high schools in 
all classifications in Guilford County.
  The latest Southwest title squad was led by the starting five, all 
seniors. Guards Lamont Sides and Chris Davis, forwards Tucker Swindell 
and Derrick Boger, and center Todd Ashworth were freshmen when Coach 
Kent took over the team. Southwest had won just 3 games in the previous 
2 years, but has won 20 or more games each year since then. This 
season, the Cowboys lost only two games by a total of six points. The 
starting five will tell you, however, that this remarkable season was a 
total team effort. Congratulations must also go to fellow seniors 
Darius Pickett, Jeff Raber, John Cathey, and Greg Robertson, juniors 
Jared Wright, Reco Ryals, and Rod Boger, and the lone sophomore on the 
team Kashun Bynum.
  On behalf of the citizens of the Sixth District, we offer our 
congratulations to the team, Coach Kent, assistant coaches Tim Atwood 
and Mark Williams, scorekeeper Kristin Bowen, certified trainer 
Angelique Durocher, student trainer Zachery Womack, and video tape 
director Levar Lovelace. The Cowboys were cheered on by varsity 
cheerleaders Heather Bowles, Natalie Richardson, Melody Cadenhead, 
Allison Brooks, Heather Cooper, Olivia Quick, Martika Harrington, Missy 
Andrus, Holly Humphrey, Holly Stowe, Landi Coltrain, and cheerleading 
coach Robin Neal.
  To athletic director Rick Kemp, Principal Dennis Quick, the faculty, 
staff, students, parents and friends of Southwest Guilford High School, 
we offer our congratulations on winning the North Carolina 2-A state 
basketball championship.
  The North Carolina 3-A championship also went to a Sixth District 
team on March 23. Walter M. Williams High School of Burlington defeated 
Hickory 78-58 to capture the 3-A crown. It was the first State title 
for the Williams basketball team, but the second for head coach Tommy 
Cole, who led Graham High School to a championship in 1983. Coach Cole 
told the News & Record that some of his Graham players called him just 
before Williams played for the title. ``They didn't want Williams to 
take the limelight,'' Cole told the Greensboro newspaper, ``but I told 
them not to worry, that I'd never forget them. They were the first. 
It's just that because this (Burlington) is my hometown and alma mater 
(Williams), it's a little bit special.''
  It was definitely special for Williams High School which had waited 
46 years to win a basketball crown. Just 2 years ago, when the Bulldogs 
finished 9-16, it did not look like a championship was in the near 
future for Williams. This season, however, a senior-dominated squad 
plowed through an impressive 27-2 record all the way to the title. The 
one starter who will return next year is guard Alex Spaulding who 
scored 27 points in the championship game and was named Most Valuable 
Player.
  The other members of the championship Bulldog squad all played key 
roles throughout the regular season and into the title game. Those 
players included B.J. Farrington, Craig Miller, Draper Pulliam, Corey 
Mattison, Lamont Watlington, Brian Fields, Omar Curry, Thomas Burnette, 
Will Simpson, Joey Schoeneck, and David Crotts. All will savor the fact 
that they won the first basketball crown for Williams in almost half a 
century of competition.
  On behalf of the citizens of the Sixth District, we offer our 
congratulations to the team, Head Coach Cole, assistant coach David 
Wyrick, managers Jay Skeen, James Harris, Trevis Gilliam, and Adam 
Hall, statisticians Dwight Hall and Blake Cole, scorekeeper Kristy 
Sharp, video director Joey Edwards, and team physician Dr. Bob 
Ellington.
  To athletic director Tommy Spoon, principal Donald Andrews, the 
faculty, staff, students, parents and friends of Williams High School 
of Burlington, we offer our congratulations on capturing the North 
Carolina 3-A basketball championship. We hope you will not have to wait 
another 46 years for another title.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, the third Piedmont Triad high school to win a 
state basketball title is not in the Sixth District, but it is close 
enough that we can share in the pride of their championship, 
particularly since some of our district attend the school. On March 23, 
James B. Dudley High School of Greensboro won the State's 4-A 
basketball crown by defeating Richmond County in a thrilling 79-68 
overtime win. Like its 3-A counterpart of Williams, Dudley had to wait 
many years for its first basketball championship. In fact, it was 35 
years ago when the Panthers won their school's last roundball title.
  Dudley's win capped an impressive 29-2 season. Head coach David Price 
told the News & Record that winning the school's first basketball 
championship in 35 years meant so much to so many people. ``Everyone 
has been coming up hugging us,'' Price told the Greensboro newspaper, 
``and it really has been a warm feeling. A lot of them remember the 
last time Dudley won a State basketball championship.''
  When Dudley won its last basketball title, North Carolina's high 
schools were still segregated. Dudley won its 1961 championship while 
playing against other black high schools in the State. One of the 
current assistant coaches, Everette James, is a direct link to the last 
championship squad. James was a sophomore starter on the team which 
captured the 1961 crown. ``This has been good for the school and the 
community,'' James told the News & Record. ``It's been so long, and a 
lot of the old fans have come out to say congratulations.''
  We join in that chorus of congratulations by extending our best 
wishes to each member of the Dudley Panthers basketball team. The 
championship squad was led by Parade All-American Vincent Whitt, 
championship game MVP Braxton Williams, Brendan Haywood, Lennie Jones, 
Derrick Partee, Charles Goodman, Brett Claywell, Marcus O'Neal, Derrick 
Hicks, Jemaine Price, Daniel Davis, Kenneth Ferguson, and Marcus 
Watson.
  Everyone connected with the Panthers assisted with the run for the 
title. They included Head Coach Price, Assistant Coaches James, Gary 
Copenhaver, Taft Turner, and Brian Seagraves, statistician Shannon 
Stewart, managers Monica Walker, Joy Underwood, Johnetta Chavis, and 
Tameka Rowells, trainers Scott Ellis and Phillip Owens and team 
physician Dr. James Kramer.
  To athletic director Roy Turner, principal Larry Lewis, the faculty, 
staff, students, parents, and friends of the Dudley Panthers basketball 
team we offer our congratulations on capturing this year's 4-A high 
school championship.
  To all three schools, we again say congratulations on completing 
outstanding seasons. We are proud that the Piedmont Triad is North 
Carolina's home of basketball champions.