[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 16, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E358-E359]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING THE PICKETT COUNTY LADY BOBCATS ON CLAIMING STATE 
                              CHAMPIONSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN W. ROSE

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 16, 2024

  Mr. ROSE. Mr. Speaker, for many of the folks I represent in the Upper 
Cumberland Region of Middle Tennessee, this year feels a lot like 1989.
  That's the last time the Pickett County Lady Bobcats were named TSSAA 
girls basketball state champions. They reclaimed that title last month, 
when they defeated the Moore County Lady Raiders, 56-45, in the Class 
1A final.
  And this championship, Mr. Speaker, was a family affair. Lady Bobcats 
Guard Zoe Nicholas now joins her aunt and grandmother in having been 
members of a Pickett County state championship team. It doesn't stop 
there. Nicholas' cousin, Callie Reeder, is also on the winning team and 
was even named tournament MVP.
  The coach that led the team to victory, Brent Smith, has a brother 
named Barry, who happened to coach the last winning team 35 years ago.
  It's important to note that even though this is the first state 
championship in a while, the program does very well every season. It's 
also important to note that each time the Lady Bobcats have made it out 
of the quarterfinals and advanced to the state championship, they've 
won. I want to congratulate the current champions for keeping that now 
six-time winning streak alive.
  I am proud to represent Pickett County, and many places like it, that 
take so much pride in their families, communities, and their home team.
  I would now like to recognize everyone who carried the team to 
victory. Players included: Senior Allie Amonett, Senior Ella K. 
Keisling, Junior Emmy Lowe, Junior Callie Reeder, Junior Kaylee 
Tompkins, Sophomore Addison Lowe, Sophomore Zoey Nicholas, Sophomore 
Kylie Wood, and Freshman Emma Tompkins. Managers included: Senior Nikki 
Gunter, Junior Addie Keisling, and Junior Ava Keisling. I'd

[[Page E359]]

also like to recognize Head Coach Brent Smith and Assistant Coach 
Rochelle Mason for the win.
  Again, congratulations to the Pickett County Lady Bobcats, the 2024 
TSSAA 1A Girls Basketball State Champions.

                          ____________________