[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 46 (Tuesday, April 9, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E382]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  RECOGNIZING THE WHITE OAK ROUGHNECKS FOR WINNING THE TEXAS CLASS 2A 
                        BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LOUIE GOHMERT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 9, 2013

  Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, it is with enormous pride that I recognize 
and congratulate the White Oak Roughnecks on an outstanding basketball 
season in which they captured the Texas State Class 2A Basketball 
Championship for the second year in a row.
  The entire east Texas community of White Oak and all Roughneck fans 
have a vast storehouse of exciting memories as a result of the 
Roughnecks' dominating two year stretch of championship basketball. The 
team went undefeated in district and compiled an impressive 74-2 record 
over the past two seasons. Going into the championship game with an 
impressive 37-1 record this year as they also had in 2012, there was no 
doubt the White Oak Roughnecks were a powerful force in Texas and a 
basketball team with which to be reckoned.
  The all important game of 2013 saw White Oak ultimately defeat the 
Brock Eagles just as they had in 2012 to claim the Class 2A State crown 
for the second straight year. White Oak led most of the game, but Brock 
rallied in the second half turning up the heat and bringing the fans to 
their feet in a heart stopping final ten seconds through which White 
Oak emerged the victor, 56-54.
  Clearly a team does not get to the ultimate and lofty plateau of 
excellence without a coaching staff that knows its players. There is no 
doubt that each of the individual players, coaches, and supporting 
personnel involved with the success of the Roughnecks will benefit from 
having participated and witnessed the level of success that is achieved 
when each individual gives all they have while working together with 
such dedication and passion.
  This tribute goes out to all of the athletic staff including 
Superintendent Mike Gilbert, Athletic Director Gerry Stanford, High 
School Principal Dan Noll, and Coaches Ron Boyett, Billy Terry and 
Brett Cloud.
  The team members achieving this memorable accomplishment included 
Slade Sutton, Skylar Sutton, Dylan Gale, Kris Anderson, Josh Benson, 
Cass Carr, Tanner Sharp, Hayden Nichols, Gabe Michael, and Levi Yancy.
  No athletic team ever becomes a champion without unwavering support, 
and that is exactly what the Roughnecks experienced from the entire 
community of White Oak, Texas. That is why congratulations go to all 
who contributed in any way to the success of the Roughnecks during this 
championship season.
  May God continue to bless all of their efforts both in school and as 
they one day finish high school and use that same drive and 
determination to make this country even stronger. Congratulations to 
the State Basketball Champions, the White Oak Roughnecks, as their 
legacy is now recorded in the Congressional Record that will endure as 
long as there is a United States of America.

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