[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 16, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E327]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CONGRATULATING I.C. NORCOM HIGH SCHOOL'S BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 16, 2016

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a 
talented group of young athletes who have distinguished themselves as 
giants on the basketball court, making their school, their community, 
and the city of Portsmouth, Virginia very proud. The I.C. Norcom High 
School boys basketball team had another remarkable season and I am 
honored to recognize their accomplishments.
  On March 12, 2016, the I.C. Norcom Greyhounds beat the Hopewell Blue 
Devils 67 to 65, to win the Group 3A state basketball championship. It 
was truly a remarkable game. In overtime, I.C. Norcom tied the game and 
with only seconds left on the clock, the Greyhounds' Travis Fields 
stole the ball from the Blue Devils, successfully hit a jump shot, 
clinching another championship for I.C. Norcom.
  The Greyhounds have had a consistent run of excellence in recent 
years. This year's victory is I.C. Norcom's third consecutive state 
title and their fifth state title in the last seven seasons. It goes 
without saying, but I.C. Norcom has certainly become a force to be 
reckoned with in Virginia high school sports.
  I.C. Norcom High School was founded in 1913 as the High Street 
School, the first public high school for black students in Portsmouth. 
It was renamed in 1953 in honor of its first supervising principal, 
Israel Charles Norcom, a pioneering educator, civic leader and 
businessman. Now, more than 100 years and three locations later, I.C. 
Norcom High School is still an innovating and inspiring place for 
Portsmouth students.
  In addition to excelling on the basketball court, the Greyhounds are 
also doing great things in the classroom. I.C. Norcom houses a Center 
of Excellence in Math and Science, which provides students with 
additional classes in science, math, and technology. Seniors completing 
the Center's curriculum this year will receive Center of Excellence 
Diplomas which require five science course credits, one more than 
necessary under the advanced diploma. In addition, I.C. Norcom students 
have been participating in the First College program--attending 
Tidewater Community College this semester and taking up to 14 college 
credits before they graduate. I.C. Norcom is doing a great job 
cultivating excellence both on and off the athletic field.
  I would like to extend my enthusiastic congratulations to each of the 
Greyhounds' players, their families, Principal Shameka Pollard, Coach 
Leon Goolsby and his entire coaching staff, on the occasion of another 
amazing state championship victory. On behalf of the citizens of 
Virginia's Third Congressional District, I commend the Greyhounds for 
this historic win and wish the program many more years of continued 
success.

                          ____________________