[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7862]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING PARIS JUNIOR COLLEGE ON WINNING NATIONAL BASKETBALL 
                                 TITLE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 26, 2005

  Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the Paris Junior 
College Dragons on winning the 2005 National Junior College Athletic 
Association Division I Men's Basketball championship on March 26 in 
Hutchinson, Kansas. This was the biggest win in the school's history 
and only the second trip for the Dragons to the national tournament, 
some 46 years from their first visit in 1959.
  The Dragons ended their season with nine consecutive wins and set a 
school record with 28 victories in a season. They were unranked in the 
national tournament and beat two ranked teams before taking on 16th-
ranked Moberly Area Community College, Mo., during the NJCAA Division 1 
Men's Tournament championship game. They won by a score of 70-61.
  Paris Junior College coach Bill Foy won the Coach of the Tournament 
award and subsequently was named the National Association of Basketball 
Coaches Junior College Coach of the Year. Rod Earls was named the 
William E. French Most Valuable Player, averaging 13 points a game to 
lead Paris Junior College in scoring and contributing 10 points in the 
championship game. Alexander Starr received the Charles Fesher 
Sportsmanship Award and scored 10 points in the tournament final. Mike 
Battle scored 5 points in the final game and also was named to the all-
tournament team.
  The leading scorer for Paris was Lamar Searight with 18 points. Other 
players who contributed to the victory included Brian Burrell, Donnell 
Franklyn, Rickey Quarles, Bobby Joshua, Tyler Best and Charles Stoker. 
Joel Green and Albert Reese also are members of the team.
  Coach Foy also acknowledged all those whose efforts and support 
contributed to the team's outstanding season: Assistant Coach Brad 
Enright, Athletic Director Jim Moffitt, Dr. Pam Anglin, President, and 
student assistants Tyler Easthouse and Patrick Thompson, among others.
  Mr. Speaker, the faculty and students at Paris Junior College, local 
citizens and loyal fans in Northeast Texas take great pride in their 
National Junior College Basketball Championship team. I want to take 
this opportunity in the House of Representatives to congratulate the 
Paris Junior College basketball players and coaches for their 
spectacular victory, commend them for their hard work and 
determination, and wish them continued success.

                          ____________________