[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 19 (Tuesday, February 2, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E93]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       IN RECOGNITION OF SIERRA PACIFIC HS GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. VALADAO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 2, 2021

  Mr. VALADAO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Sierra 
Pacific High School Lady Bears Basketball Team for their victory as 
California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Division IV Northern 
Regional State Champions.
  After reigning undefeated in the East Sequoia League and recording 
the longest winning streak in school history with 20 victories, the 
Lady Bears of Hanford, California, defeated Colfax High School in the 
Northern Regional Finals. Having claimed the South Regional 
Championship title in 2018, the Lady Bears Basketball Team is the first 
in the state to win a Regional Championship in both the North and 
South. This season, they were also recognized as Cal-Hi Girls 
Basketball Division 4 Team of the Year.
  While the 2020 California State Championship was cancelled in light 
of COVID-19 precautions, I know the Lady Bears Basketball Team would 
have represented their community and school with the same sportsmanship 
and dedication they exemplified all season.
  Led by Head Coach Amy Bush and Assistant Coaches Victor Chavarin, Jr. 
and Christopher Kennedy, Sierra Pacific High School was proudly 
represented by Taylor West, Alana Roberts, Celeste Lewis, Taylor 
Whitfield, Haillee Larios, Kylie Brasil, Angelique Brazil, Cristina 
Avila, Makayla Carre, Savannah Torres, Annabelle Saavedra, and Lauren 
Zantos.
  I further congratulate Alana Roberts and Celeste Lewis for their 
outstanding performances. Miss Roberts became the first of her school 
to achieve 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds and is the Sierra Pacific 
Girls Basketball All-Time rebounder with 1,357 rebounds. Miss Lewis, 
the team's all-time leading scorer, earning 1,832 points, was honored 
as Cal-Hi Girls Basketball Division 4 State Player of the Year.
  Additionally, I commend Alana Roberts, Celeste Lewis, Kylie Brasil, 
Annabelle Saavedra, and Makayla Carre for their 2020 East Sequoia 
League 1st Team Honors, as well as Cristina Avila for her 2nd Team 
Honors.
  Off the court, these ladies have inspired many with their community 
involvement. This season, the Lady Bears Basketball Team volunteered at 
the Episcopal Church of the Savior Parish Soup Kitchen, hosted a 
Community Youth Basketball Camp, collected 500 canned food items to 
support families during the pandemic, and raised $1,290 for the 
families of Captain Raymond Figueroa and Firefighter Patrick Jones who 
tragically lost their lives while responding to the Porterville library 
fire.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the United States House of 
Representatives to join me congratulating the 2020 Sierra Pacific Girls 
Basketball Team for these accomplishments and commend their unwavering 
commitment to serving the Central Valley community.