[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 73 (Thursday, May 24, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E921]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             SIXTH DISTRICT COACH ACHIEVES A NATIONAL HONOR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HOWARD COBLE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 24, 2001

  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, the Sixth District of North Carolina is proud 
to congratulate John Ralls, who has been named as the runnerup for the 
National High School Coach of the Year Award. Ralls, coach of the 
Ledford High School girls' basketball team, received this honor from 
the Women's Basketball Coaches Association on April 7th. In addition to 
this achievement, Ralls earlier was named the Southeast Region Coach of 
the Year and the North Carolina Coach of the Year.
  Mixed in with the good news of these accomplishments was a painful 
back injury that required surgery. ``I was kind of out of it,'' Ralls 
told the Greensboro News and Record, ``so I didn't pick up on it (the 
award) for about a week.'' Ralls's first back surgery was in 1992, his 
first year of coaching. The more recent surgery was much more serious, 
however, and Ralls was concerned that he might be unable to attend the 
ceremony on April 7th. Fortunately, Ralls was well enough to 
participate as well as perform as the assistant coach for the All-
American girls' game in Phoenix, Arizona, where he picked up his award.
  Ralls came to be nominated for this national award by one of his 
opponents. His Ledford team scrimmaged Apex High School, and it was the 
Apex coach, Scott Campbell, who nominated Ralls for the honor that he 
received.
  During his 15 years as coach Ralls has greatly impacted the 
basketball program, but more importantly, many young lives. In the last 
seven seasons, the Ledford Varsity girls' basketball team has won three 
state championships, as well as appearing in the state finals four 
times.
  On behalf of the citizens of the Sixth District of North Carolina, we 
congratulate Ledford coach John Ralls for his many accomplishments both 
on and off the basketball court.

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