[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 46 (Thursday, March 14, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S1895]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING NORTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL'S DUAL BASKETBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

 Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and 
congratulate my alma mater, Northside High School in Fort Smith, AR, on 
winning 6A State championships in both boys and girls basketball this 
year.
  The high school basketball season was as exciting as ever in the 
Natural State, but folks in my hometown of Fort Smith were especially 
enthusiastic when tournament time came around because both the boys' 
and girls' teams had advanced to postseason play. Both squads have won 
multiple State titles, and the fans were eager to add another this 
season.
  Both the boys' and girls' teams advanced through their respective 
tournaments and made it to the finals, overcoming challenges from 
talented teams from across Arkansas. The championship games were 
incredibly competitive, and each came down to the wire.
  The Lady Bears faced off against Bentonville in their State title 
game. Led by Jersey Wolfenbarger's 21-point effort, including the game-
winning basket as time expired, the team ended the contest on a 7-0 run 
to claim the school's seventh girls basketball State championship since 
1999. Each of those titles was won under the direction of coach Rickey 
Smith. The team ended the season ranked 17th in the Nation in USA 
Today's high school rankings.
  Not to be outdone, the Northside Grizzlies boys' team also had a 
memorable championship game that included a half-court basket to end 
the first half. Facing off against Bryant High School, Northside led 
for most of the contest. After Bryant tied the game late in the fourth 
quarter, Northside came up with a three-point basket and held onto the 
lead until the end of regulation. Junior center Jaylen Williams' play--
he scored 20 points and grabbed 16 rebounds--earned him the MVP 
designation. The championship was the 11th in school history. The 
Grizzlies were led by coach Eric Burnett who believed his team was 
built for a good run in the tournament because of the difficulty of its 
nonconference schedule. This was their third consecutive championship 
game appearance, having won a championship in 2017 as well.
  Needless to say, it was a very special day in Hot Springs, where the 
title games were played, and in the Fort Smith community, as each team 
brought home State championships in the same year for the second time 
since 2007.
  As a former Northside Grizzly and someone with family roots in Fort 
Smith, I am proud that both the Grizzly and Lady Bears basketball teams 
earned the highest achievement possible in our State. To do so in the 
same year is an even greater testament to the dedication and passion of 
the players, coaches, student body, administrators, and the fans of 
these terrific teams.
  Congratulations again to the Grizzly and Lady Bears squads on this 
tremendous accomplishment, and I look forward to celebrating with them, 
Northside High School, and the Fort Smith community in the near 
future.

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