[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4119]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       IN RECOGNITION OF THE HAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 26, 2012

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise, on behalf 
of Congressman Scott Rigell and myself, to call attention to a group of 
young students from Hampton, Virginia, who have distinguished 
themselves, their school, their community and the Commonwealth of 
Virginia.
  The Hampton High School Crabbers basketball team had a remarkable 
season. On March 11, Coach Walter Brower and the Crabbers won their 
first Virginia state basketball championship since 1997, their fifth 
overall, by defeating Petersburg High School of Petersburg, 64-51, at 
the VCU Siegel Center in Richmond, Virginia.
  After not making it to last year's Eastern Region Tournament, the 
Crabbers came into this season as unlikely to win the state 
championship. However, as a result of tireless work on the part of both 
Hampton's players and coaches, the team was able to rise to a level 
that, given their performance last year, few would have thought 
achievable.
  After three straight close games to begin the Virginia High School 
League tournament, including a near loss to the Bayside Marlins from 
Virginia Beach, the Crabbers never trailed their opponents in their 
final two games.
  Although very accomplished in basketball, Hampton High's legacy of 
excellence is not limited to the field of athletics. Under the 
direction of Principal Myra Chambers, the Hampton faculty seeks to 
inspire all students to strive for excellence and achievement in the 
classroom, in their extracurricular activities and in their 
communities.
  As a direct descendent of the Syms-Eaton School, the first free 
school in America established in the American colonies, Hampton High 
has continued to uphold a tradition rooted in excellent public 
education. Affectionately known as the ``little Pentagon,'' Hampton has 
been selected in the past as one of the best schools in the United 
States when it received the national Award of Academic Excellence from 
the Department of Education. Hampton's commendation for this award read 
in part: Hampton High has seen ``the glory of a maturing nation and the 
pain of depression and warfare. Yet through it all, the school has 
always respected and upheld the traditional values of educational 
achievement and pride in one's community. . . .''
  So, on this occasion, we would like to extend our enthusiastic 
congratulations to Coach Walter Brower, his coaching staff, the players 
on the Hampton High School Crabbers and to all Hampton High School 
students, families, friends and fans, for their continued dedication to 
excellence in winning the Group AAA Virginia High School League state 
basketball championship of 2012.

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