[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 36 (Thursday, March 10, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E456]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO THE SUCCESS OF THE RIALTO HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM

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                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 10, 2011

  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Lady Knights, the 
Rialto High School girls basketball team, and congratulate them for 
winning the CIF--Southern Section Division 2AA title game.
  The Lady Knights came back from behind in the final minutes of the 
championship game to beat Ventura Buena 55 to 53 at the buzzer, 
clinching the first section title in the school's history. After a 
season of hard work and determination, Rialto trailed by three points 
with just over two minutes to go in the game.
  Point guard, Summer Webb, tied the game with a three-pointer. 
Following the play, Janae Sharpe stole the ball, passing to Webb for an 
assist that pushed the Lady Knights two points ahead. Ventura Buena 
answered with two free throws, tying the championship game. Sharpe 
converted another steal to a lay-up but Buena Ventura tied the game 
again with nineteen seconds remaining.
  This game was the Lady Knights first section appearance in the 
history of the Rialto girls' basketball program and it came down to the 
last tenth of a second. With seventeen seconds remaining on the clock, 
Coach Michael Anderson designed a play to give Sharpe the final shot of 
the game. Hundreds of fans looked on from the stands of the Anaheim 
Convention Center. Sharpe received the inbounds pass.
  Crossing half court with composure, she let nine seconds tick off the 
game clock. Sharpe paused again at the three-point line, only three 
seconds remained. She drove into the lane, released a jumper, and 
scored the game-winning shot as the buzzer sounded. The blue-clad 
Rialto fans celebrated in an uproar as the players on the floor rushed 
into a dog-pile. The Lady Knights secured the championship in their 
first section final appearance.
  I would like to extend my heart-felt congratulations to Head Coach 
Michael Anderson and his coaching team, Bryant Young, Toneisha Knox, 
Erika Matkins and Juanita Perez. I would also like to acknowledge the 
families, fans, and teachers in the greater Rialto community for their 
support. Of course, I want to congratulate the girls on the Rialto High 
School basketball team: Janae Sharpe, Bianca Brown, Brittani Walker, 
Channe Armstrong, Summer Ramsey, Summer Webb, Cynthia Mora, Montoya 
Washington, Ma' Kaela Buhl, Danae ``Mary'' Williams, Jasmin Samano. I 
wish you all the best of luck in the Southern California Regional 
playoffs.

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