[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 35 (Tuesday, March 18, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E502]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  REPUBLIC TIGERS AND THE RITZVILLE BRONCOS TRIUMPH ON THE BASKETBALL 
                                 COURT

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. GEORGE R. NETHERCUTT, JR.

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 18, 1997

  Mr. NETHERCUTT. Today, I want to congratulate the boys basketball 
team of Republic High School in Ferry County, WA and the girls 
basketball team of Ritzville High School in Adams County. On Saturday, 
March 8, 1997, their many hours of practice paid off when they defeated 
strong teams and won the Washington State B Basketball Tournaments.
  Neither team went into the tournament as the favorite. Indeed, the 
Republic Tigers almost didn't make the tournament at all. But under the 
leadership of dedicated coaches, these teams defied the odds and 
stunned the State, proving that to triumph, confidence, and teamwork 
are as important as athletic skill.
  Under the leadership of Coach Rory Rickard, the Republic Tigers boys 
team came from behind in four games on their road to the final round. 
In the finals, they defeated the Reardan Indians 38-36. The new State 
champs had been the fourth seed in district 7.
  Chuck Wilson serves as the Tigers' assistant coach. The boys State 
champions are Chad Dinkins, Dave Hanks, Jason Baldwin, Dan Hanks, Kenny 
Glidden, Sam Hadden, Mark Rickard, Dan Hargrave, Lonnie Grimm, Kris 
Kuchenmeister, Dorian Russell, Steve Davenport and Chris Wilson. Tyrus 
and Cory Rickard as well as Josh Burnside served as managers, and 
Rebecca Hutton and Ryan Rickard kept the team's statistics.
  Guided by coaches John Foulkes and Howard Manke, the Ritzville 
Broncos defeated the Wilbur-Creston Wildcats and won the Washington 
State Girls B Tournament. With a 33-26 victory, the Broncos claimed 
their second State championship, having last won it in 1979.
  The players for the championship team are Tracy Warriner, Jennifer 
Kramer, Erin Weber, Jennifer Horpedahl, Megan Wellsandt, Katie 
Kirkendall, Shannon Russell, Megan Yerxa, Jamie Alspach, Jaime 
Wellsandt, Carlye Zicha, and Jennifer Janzen. Managers are Kristen 
Kramer and Crystal Zicha, and Leona Akers and Cassie Stegmeier served 
as the team's statistician. Congratulations to them all.
  It is a great honor for eastern Washington that both the boys and 
girls State basketball champions--as well as the runners-up--come from 
our region. I hope their success will encourage others to pursue their 
goals, recognizing that to succeed, players need to practice and learn 
to work together as a team. They must not let the odds discourage them 
and remember always to do their best, remaining confident in their 
abilities.
  It was these skills which enabled the Republic Tigers and the 
Ritzville Broncos to triumph on the basketball court. And it is these 
skills which will enable students across the country to succeed, 
whether in an athletic arena or whatever other endeavor they should 
choose to pursue.

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