[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 38 (Thursday, March 6, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E333]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING WENONAH HIGH SCHOOL ALABAMA'S CLASS 5A STATE GIRLS BASEKTBALL 
                             CHAMPIONS 2014

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 6, 2014

  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Wenonah 
High School Lady Dragons on winning the State of Alabama title in the 
5A State Basketball Championship on Saturday, March 1, 2014. On behalf 
of the 7th Congressional District, I pay tribute to the Lady Dragons 
for their exemplary athleticism and teamwork as well as the outstanding 
leadership of Head Coach Emanuel Bell and his coaching staff. We are 
extremely proud of these young ladies for their stellar performance!
  Wenonah's championship victory came at the end of an extraordinary 
season of 27 wins and 7 losses. Coach Bell's longstanding motto for his 
team is ``hard work pays off.'' He not only commands the best from his 
team, he commits his personal time year-round to molding the young 
ladies he leads. The 20 year veteran coach has been a driving force in 
producing winning teams and leading the Lady Dragons to multiple state 
titles. The 2013-2014 season was no different.
  The Lady Dragons faced Sylacauga High School to clinch the state 
title on March 1, 2014. The rival squad was favored to win due to 
having one of the top scorers of the season but Coach Bell believed in 
his team. In a Birmingham News article, Coach Bell boldly expressed his 
confidence in the Lady Dragons. ``Everybody kept asking, `What are you 
going to do about that girl?' '' said Coach Bell. ``Hey, I've got eight 
girls. I've got 12 girls. If she can run with us, we've got a 
problem.''
  During the championship game, the Lady Dragons forged ahead with 
three players who contributed double digits in scoring. The group 
effort would sustain the Lady Dragons as they worked to contain their 
opponent's scoring powerhouse.
  Wenonah took the lead in the opening minute of the game and trailed 
briefly late in the first half. However, the Lady Dragons went into 
halftime with a five point lead. With 5:28 left in the game, both teams 
were tied at 36 before Wenonah pulled away with a 6-0 run to secure 
their 57-46 victory. Jameka Holmes led the Lady Dragons with 25 points, 
followed by Aja Cumbie with 12 points and 11 rebounds, and 10 points 
from Kaitlyn Rodgers. Holmes added 15-of-21 free throws and had six 
steals.
  As the daughter of a high school basketball coach, I know this 
decisive victory is also the result of the tremendous efforts of both 
the players and coaching staff of Wenonah High School. The exemplary 
leadership and dedicated support from the coaching staff was a major 
factor in the success of the Lady Dragons. I commend Head Coach Emanuel 
Bell for his program of excellence.
  Mr. Speaker, the Lady Dragons of Wenonah High School are another fine 
example of the ``champions'' we breed in Alabama's 7th Congressional 
district. On behalf of the 7th Congressional District, the State of 
Alabama and this nation, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating the accomplishments of the Wenonah High School Girls 
Basketball Team for their victory in the Class 5A Alabama State 
Championship.
  Congratulations. Go Lady Dragons.

                          ____________________