[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 28, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E681]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO THE CEDARVILLE TROJANS

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                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 28, 2007

  Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the only 
undefeated high school basketball team this season in the State of 
Michigan, the Cedarville Trojans. The journey for the Trojans to the 
State Championship at Michigan State University in East Lansing to win 
the Class D State Championship was a long road, but one that these 
young men navigated with heart and dignity, making all of Michigan's 
Upper Peninsula proud.
  Last season, the Cedarville Trojans traveled to the State 
championship semi-finals, but their path stopped there. This year, when 
the team returned to Michigan State for the finals, they were 
determined not to be stopped. Equally dramatic, in this year's 
championship game, the Trojans faced the Tri-Unity Defenders, the same 
team that defeated the Trojans in last year's semi-final game.
  The 2006-2007 Cedarville Trojans are not, by any means, the tallest 
team in Michigan High School Class D Basketball. The Trojans' tallest 
player, Justin Baker, stands at six feet and one inch. However, what 
the Cedarville Trojans lacked in height, they made up in hard work, 
practice and natural ability.
  Throughout the season, the Cedarville Trojans distinguished 
themselves as effective scorers. In particular, the team honed their 
three-point shooting ability, making their outside game a dangerous 
weapon. Thanks to the team's remarkable shooting ability, the 
Cedarville Trojans broke the 100-point ceiling during four different 
games throughout the season, including scoring 106 points against Posen 
High School in the regional final. Cedarville's scoring ability would 
prove critical during the State championship game.
  Early in the championship game, the Cedarville Trojans put their 
opponents on notice that the Trojans planned to win. By halftime, 
thanks to their avalanche of three-point shots, the Trojans led 45-32. 
In the second half, while the Defenders used their superior height to 
creep back into the game, the Trojans continued their three-pointer 
scoring onslaught. Ultimately, Cedarville would score 11 three-point 
shots, breaking the previous record of 10 three-point shots in a single 
State championship game. This shooting lead Cedarville to a 77-74 
victory and capped a perfect, 26-0 season.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you and the entire U.S. House of 
Representatives join me in congratulating the 2006-2007 Cedarville 
Trojans: Jordan Sweeney, Sheldon Tassier, Jim Eberts, Matt Hansen, 
Kevin Thompson, Jason Duncan, Jordan Duncan, C.J. Paquin, Taylor Smith, 
Luke Murray, Justin Baker, Cody Thompson, Scott McGreevey, James 
Mitchell, and Keith Foster.
  It is with great pleasure that I single out their head coach, David 
Duncan, who has built a solid coaching record over the last year 17 
years, winning 248 games and losing only 147 games. Mr. Duncan's 
assistant coaches, Scott Barr and Kurt Duncan, are also to be commended 
for leading this year's Cedarville Trojans through this historic 
season. I also salute the team's managers, Adam Dingman and Joe Duncan, 
for their hard work. These adults deserve our collective commendation 
for spending so much personal time preparing these young men for the 
challenges of the season and the challenges they will face later in 
life.
  As Coach Duncan has noted, the unofficial theme for the Cedarville 
Trojans basketball team this year has been, ``Dream Big.'' Clearly, the 
young men of this team dared to dream big by battling their way to a 
perfect season, defeating taller teams, and bringing home Cedarville's 
first State championship. For dreaming big and for making their 
families and community proud, I salute this fine basketball team and 
ask that you, Madam Speaker, and the entire U.S. House of 
Representatives join me in saluting their efforts. Congratulations to 
the Class D, State of Michigan Basketball Champions, the Cedarville 
Trojans.

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