[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 57 (Thursday, April 19, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E591]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING THE SHAW UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM ON THEIR 
                     NCAA DIVISION II CHAMPIONSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. PRICE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 19, 2012

  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
congratulate this year's NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Champions, 
the Lady Bears of Shaw University!
  As fans of the game know all too well, North Carolina schools have a 
tradition of excellence in collegiate basketball. That success became 
even more legendary in 2012. We have a new champion in our midst, the 
Lady Bears.
  In some ways it's no surprise that the Lady Bears won the 2012 
national title. They made the Final Four in 2011 and began the year in 
the top ten. But every season is different, and nothing in life or 
basketball is certain. I don't know what Coach Curtis did, but the 
season didn't finish as it begun. After compiling a 4 5 record in the 
first 9 games, the Lady Bears found their groove. From that point on, 
the team went 25 1 and closed the season on a 15-game winning streak. 
The Lady Bears went 15 1 in CIAA conference play, were undefeated on 
their home court, and won the conference tournament.
  Then came the quest for the national championship. The Lady Bears 
beat West Virginia Wesleyan 92 78, Gannon University 64 59, Edinboro 
University 70 53, Pittsburg State 61 58 and Rollins College 87 71. The 
final game was as exciting and hard fought as they come. Shaw battled 
back from a 43 32 halftime deficit to force overtime. When the buzzer 
sounded, the Lady Bears had won 88 82 over Ashland University. Guards 
Sequoyah Griffin and Brittney Spencer led the team in scoring with 24 
and 16 points, respectively. Center Aslea Williams scored 14 points and 
pulled down 11 rebounds, and Forward Kyria Buford scored 10 points and 
grabbed 8 rebounds. Reserve Guard Brittany Ransom also scored 14, 
providing the team with a valuable lift. The Lady Bears ended the 
season number one in the polls and with a National Championship in 
hand!
  Coach Curtis deserves special mention for leading this team to 
victory. He was named the Division II Bulletin National Coach of the 
Year and the Minority Division II Coach of the Year. But he's done much 
more than coach. Every single player who has completed four years of 
eligibility under Coach Curtis has graduated. True collegiate champions 
pair winning on the court with strong character and academic 
dedication, and that's exactly what Shaw has done. As an educator, I 
admire the academic focus that Coach Curtis has made an integral part 
of the Lady Bears basketball culture.
  Mr. Speaker, it was a tremendous season for the Lady Bears of Shaw. 
On behalf of my colleagues in this body, I congratulate this team for 
their perseverance, their will to win, and their success in becoming 
the 2012 champions.
  No. 20 Shemieka Brown PG Sr. 5 8 Salisbury, NC; No. 21 Kyria Buford F 
Sr. 6 1 Charlotte, NC; No. 2 Isayra Diaz G Jr. 5 6 New York, NY; No. 10 
Sequoyah Griffin G Jr. 5 9 Columbus, GA No. 30 Crystal Harris C So. 6 1 
Jersey City, NJ; No. 32 Ariel Hatcher G Sr. 5 10 Detroit, MI; No. 15 
Allyssa Lane PG Sr. 4 11 Winter Park, FL; No. 22 Jashaye Magnum C Fr. 6 
1 Miami, FL; No. 33 Brittany Ransom G Sr. 5 10 Columbus, OH; No. 11 
Brittney Spencer G Sr. 5 7 Norfolk, VA; No. 3 Enonge Stovall F Jr. 5 11 
Philadelphia, PA; No. 41 Victoria Tanner F Sr. 5 10 Raleigh, NC; No. 5 
Aslea Williams C Jr. 6 1 Akron, OH; Head Coach: Jacques Curtis; 
Associate Head Coach: Carl Hatchell; Assistant Coach: Ashante Timoll; 
Assistant Coach: Jonas Richard; and Athletic Trainer: Sean Burton.

                          ____________________