[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 1, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E82]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        REMEMBERING THE 1973 VASTER HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL TEAM

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                          HON. BRUCE WESTERMAN

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 1, 2023

  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the 1973 Vaster 
High School Basketball Team. Vaster High School was in Moscow, 
Arkansas, in Jefferson County, and at the time, had a population of 
around 600 people. Although a small community and school, this team had 
tenacious grit in the State Overall Championship tournament.
  Back in 1973, the State of Arkansas decided state champions through 
an overall state tournament instead of having a state champion by 
different classifications, as it does today. In a 3-day tournament, 
Class B Vaster beat Morrilton, a Class AA school on Thursday, then beat 
Conway, a Class AAA school on Friday, and on Saturday, Vaster faced the 
Class AAAA, defending state champion, Central High School from Little 
Rock. It was described as a David versus Goliath matchup going into the 
game, and everyone expected a blowout win for Central. In the end, 
Central won the game by only 1 point. Though a heartbreaking loss, 
Vaster had put itself on the map, had persevered, and exhibited pride 
in the school, the town, and in the Cinderella run with its first-year 
head coach and group of fantastic players.
  There is an event today honoring the 50th Anniversary of Vasters 
runner-up bid, and while Vaster High School is no longer in existence, 
the memory of the School shall always be bright because of the 1973 
team who fought Central High for the state title. I would like to 
finish with naming the members of the 1973 Vaster High School 
basketball team.
  Herbert Pryor (Head Coach), Andrew Carr (Assistant Coach), Cleveland 
Allen, Erick Biley, Samuel Biley Jr., Reddic Barkins, Rodney Crawford, 
(Trainer), Jimmy Dade, Carl Evans, James Evans, Tommy Evans, Roy 
Franklin, Jimmy Gladney, Ronnie Grice (Manager), Homer Jackson, Melvin 
Jackson, Jacob Jones (Trainer), Charles Petty, Rodney Ryce, Thomas 
Tarty.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank those who have remembered and are 
celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the 1973 Vaster High School 
Basketball Team. These young men will forever be remembered in the 
history of Arkansas sports.

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