[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 49 (Thursday, April 5, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E542-E543]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         GREAT BASKETBALL IN THE 6TH DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HOWARD COBLE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 4, 2001

  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, Durham, North Carolina, is the center of the 
basketball universe these days as Duke University celebrates its NCAA 
national men's basketball championship. The Sixth District of North 
Carolina, however, can also claim to be a basketball hotbed as we 
celebrate the arrival of two high school basketball champions--and they 
both reside in the same city. High Point, North Carolina, is the new 
home of the Girls 2-A state champion High Point Central Bison as well 
as the Boys 3-A state champion T. Wingate Andrews Red Raiders.
  On March 9, the High Point Central girls completed a remarkable 
basketball season by defeating Eastern Alamance 92-62 to capture the 
Girls 2-A state title. While the overwhelming victory in the 
championship game was impressive in itself, it only capped what will be 
long remembered as one of the greatest high school basketball seasons 
ever. The Bison completed the season with a perfect record of 30-0. 
This was High Point Central's first undefeated season since 1993 when 
the Bison went 31-0 en route to the state 3-A title. Can you mention 
the word dynasty when you talk about the Bison? Central's championship 
this year was its second in the last three years and fourth in the last 
nine years. That's a better record than the Duke Blue Devils!
  As the championship game Most Valuable Player Velinda Vuncannon told 
the High Point Enterprise, ``We just played with a lot of heart 
tonight,'' she said. ``We played as one, as a unit. We came out with a 
fire. It's great to have another ring on my finger. It's a wonderful 
way to go out.'' Vuncannon earned MVP honors with a performance that 
included 17 points, 13 assists, and four steals. The win, however, was 
a total team effort. Leslie Cook led the way with 23 points, while 
Rachel Stockdale added 19 points, and Nikki Warren chimed in with 13.

[[Page E543]]

  Congratulations are in order for Head Coach Kenny Carter and his 
outstanding staff in leading the Bison to their undefeated season. 
Joining Coach Carter on the bench were Associate Coach Jetanna McClain 
and Assistant Coaches Chris Martin, Dwain Waddell, Chris Shafer, and 
Twila Filipiak. Supporting the team effort were Managers Chastity Brown 
and Shauntae Pratt. Ably assisting were Video Managers Alan Byerly and 
David Gallemore, along with Scorekeeper Jessica Allen.
  Of course, as Coach Carter would be the first to say, the praise must 
begin with the players. Members of this year's championship squad 
included Leslie Cook, Kathryn Fulp, Mary Gheen, Erica Green, Brittany 
Hendley, Laura Kirby, Shameka Leach, Jillian Martin, Krystion Obie, 
Rachel Stockdale, Velinda Vuncannon, and Nikki Warren. So, we 
congratulate the players, coaches and staff, along with Athletic 
Director Gary Whitman and Principal Helen Lankford, and everyone 
associated with High Point Central High School for winning the Girls 2-
A state basketball championship.
  Meanwhile, across town, the Red Raiders of T. Wingate Andrews High 
School are celebrating their own championship. On March 10, Andrews 
captured the Boys 3-A state basketball championship with a 63-60 
victory over Kinston High School. The Raiders proved the old adage that 
it is good to peak late in the season. Andrews had lost four of its 
first 10 games to open the season but was riding a 12-game winning 
streak going into the title contest with the Vikings of Kinston. The 
Raiders, who finished with a record of 26-6, knew it was their night. 
``We wanted this more than anybody,'' Will Price told the High Point 
Enterprise. ``We won 13 games in a row (counting the title game) and 
proved we're one of the best teams in the state right now.'' Price, a 
sophomore point guard, had a game-high 28 points, including hitting 5-
of-6 free throws in the final 40 seconds of the contest, to capture 
Most Valuable Player honors.
  This was the second state basketball championship in the school's 
history. The Red Raiders had last won the state title in 1995. Leading 
the way this year was Head Coach Frank Hairston. Assistant Coaches 
David Kirkland and Jim Pierson, Head Athletic Trainer Laura Blacksten 
and Assistant Athletic Trainer Summer Green, along with Managers Julian 
Weathers and Aaron Ollis ably assisted him.
  The members of the championship squad included Freddie Aughtry-
Lindsay, Tim Bowden, Jeff Collie, Lester Dunn, Steve Gillespie, Corey 
Hill, James Ledbetter, Rod McCollum, Will Price, Brandel Shouse, and 
Gary Thomas. Everyone at T. Wingate Andrews High School can be 
justifiably proud of the Red Raiders basketball team. We congratulate 
Athletic Director David Mizell and Principal Jerry Hairston and 
everyone at Andrews for winning the state Boys 3-A basketball 
championship.
  While they may still be celebrating in Durham, we know the real home 
of champions is in High Point, North Caroilna. On behalf of the 
citizens of the Sixth District, we congratulate High Point Central High 
School and T. Wingate Andrews High School for winning state basketball 
championships.

                          ____________________