[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 40 (Thursday, March 8, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E489]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CONGRATULATING THE INDIANA GIRLS BASKETBALL STATE CHAMPIONS OF 
                         WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE DONNELLY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 7, 2007

  Mr. DONNELLY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my 
congratulations to the South Ben Washington High School Panthers who 
won the Class 4A girls' basketball Indiana State Championship. With an 
84-64 victory on March 3, 2007, the team captured its first IHSAA title 
in school history.
  In their quest towards this title, the Panthers lost their first game 
of the season before winning 28 consecutive contests. This also marked 
the first girls' basketball state title won by a South Bend public 
school. En route to their victory, the team broke nine state finals 
records and combined with their opponent, Columbus East, to break 16 
finals records.
  The South Bend Washington team consisted of 14 tremendous young 
women, including Seniors Cheneka Anderson, Lauren Archie, Katelyn 
Boocher, Ashley Varner, Sherice White; Juniors Shalana Murray, Emily 
Phillips, Meagan Phillips, and Vanessa Wiley; and Sophomores Skylar 
Diggins, Rakeesha Lane, Takola Larry, Alandrea Pfeifer-Nallon, and 
Karis Phillips.
  Also, I want to recognize the great leadership of the team including 
Head Coach Marilyn Coddens, who was assisted by Don Coddens. I also 
want to acknowledge the work of school administrators, Superintendent 
Robert Zimmerman, Principal George McCullough, Jr., and Athletic 
Director Patrick Mackowiak, as additional keys to success.
  In conclusion, I commend the support given by the community to this 
team. The athletic department sold more than three thousand tickets to 
the championship game while more than eleven thousand people attended 
the game in all. In a final show of appreciation, more than two 
thousand supporters gathered to welcome the team home after their 
victory, a commendable example of community spirit in support of the 
Panthers. Again, I offer my congratulations to the members of the 
girls' basketball team of South Bend Washington High School on the 
Class 4A state championship.

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