Formatting necessary for an accurate reading of this text may be shown by tags (e.g., <DELETED> or <BOLD>) or may be missing from this TXT display. For complete and accurate display of this text, see the PDF.
[Page S1895]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING NORTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL'S DUAL BASKETBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and
congratulate my alma mater, Northside High School in Fort Smith, AR, on
winning 6A State championships in both boys and girls basketball this
year.
The high school basketball season was as exciting as ever in the
Natural State, but folks in my hometown of Fort Smith were especially
enthusiastic when tournament time came around because both the boys'
and girls' teams had advanced to postseason play. Both squads have won
multiple State titles, and the fans were eager to add another this
season.
Both the boys' and girls' teams advanced through their respective
tournaments and made it to the finals, overcoming challenges from
talented teams from across Arkansas. The championship games were
incredibly competitive, and each came down to the wire.
The Lady Bears faced off against Bentonville in their State title
game. Led by Jersey Wolfenbarger's 21-point effort, including the game-
winning basket as time expired, the team ended the contest on a 7-0 run
to claim the school's seventh girls basketball State championship since
1999. Each of those titles was won under the direction of coach Rickey
Smith. The team ended the season ranked 17th in the Nation in USA
Today's high school rankings.
Not to be outdone, the Northside Grizzlies boys' team also had a
memorable championship game that included a half-court basket to end
the first half. Facing off against Bryant High School, Northside led
for most of the contest. After Bryant tied the game late in the fourth
quarter, Northside came up with a three-point basket and held onto the
lead until the end of regulation. Junior center Jaylen Williams' play--
he scored 20 points and grabbed 16 rebounds--earned him the MVP
designation. The championship was the 11th in school history. The
Grizzlies were led by coach Eric Burnett who believed his team was
built for a good run in the tournament because of the difficulty of its
nonconference schedule. This was their third consecutive championship
game appearance, having won a championship in 2017 as well.
Needless to say, it was a very special day in Hot Springs, where the
title games were played, and in the Fort Smith community, as each team
brought home State championships in the same year for the second time
since 2007.
As a former Northside Grizzly and someone with family roots in Fort
Smith, I am proud that both the Grizzly and Lady Bears basketball teams
earned the highest achievement possible in our State. To do so in the
same year is an even greater testament to the dedication and passion of
the players, coaches, student body, administrators, and the fans of
these terrific teams.
Congratulations again to the Grizzly and Lady Bears squads on this
tremendous accomplishment, and I look forward to celebrating with them,
Northside High School, and the Fort Smith community in the near
future.
____________________