[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 50 (Wednesday, April 29, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E704]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  A TRIBUTE TO THE WESTHAMPTON BEACH HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL P. FORBES

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 29, 1998

  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and emotion that I 
rise today in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to the boys 
high school basketball team at my alma mater, Westhampton Beach High 
School, on Long Island. This past weekend, the Hurricanes came home 
with the school's first ever New York State high school basketball 
championship trophy.
  Steeped in a proud athletic history, the Hurricanes of Westhampton 
Beach had to climb a steep mountain to attain this landmark 
championship. In the six years previous to winning the 1998 title, 
coach Rich Wrase led his team to six straight league titles, three 
Suffolk County championships and a trip to the state Final Four 
championship round. Their quest culminated last weekend when the 
Hurricanes rolled over defending state champion Syracuse-Westhill to 
win the New York State public school title, then whipped New York City 
powerhouse Wadleigh High School to win the state Federation Class B 
championship.
  So much credit for Westhampton Beach's 28-0 season success lies in 
the contributions of its leaders on and off the court. Coach Rick 
Wrase's disciplined leadership kept these young men focused on winning 
a state title. On the court, senior point guard Dale Menendez proved 
himself a team leader by scoring 19 points, adding 5 rebounds and 4 
steals in the win over Syracuse-Westhill to earn the Most Valuable 
Player honors for the Class B Tournament. Senior classmate Jermain 
Hollman also came up big for the Hurricanes, contributing 22 points, 8 
rebounds and 4 assists to earn the Most Valuable Player award in the 
Federation title game.
  As impressive as Menendez' and Hollman's offensive contributions are, 
Westhampton Beach earned its championship with impenetrable team 
defense. Utilizing an aggressive, trapping attack, the Hurricanes 
dogged opponents mercilessly, holding Syracuse-Westhill to just 36 
points. Up by just two points at halftime of the Federation title game, 
the Hurricane defense stepped up and held previously undefeated 
Wadleigh to just 19 second half points.
  The work ethic and close-knit feel of this high school basketball 
team is a true reflection of my hometown, Westhampton Beach. The entire 
community is filled with pride for these young men, who have worked 
hard and sacrificed together to reach their goal. So I ask my 
colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me and all my 
neighbors in saluting the Westhampton Beach Hurricanes, the 1998 New 
York State high school basketball champions.

                          ____________________