SENATE RESOLUTION

                                 2000-8741         

By Senators Snyder, Jacobsen, Johnson

      WHEREAS, Many of the greatest moments in human history are marked by perseverance in the face of daunting adversity, the display of boundless courage and unity in the quest for a common goal, the domination of sheer will and strength of character, and the triumph of the meek over the mighty; and

      WHEREAS, The glory of sport has long embodied this spirit of achievement, and the outstanding athletic performance of ordinary individuals in extraordinary circumstances has long captivated the hearts and minds of the American people; and

      WHEREAS, In 1936 all schools participated, regardless of size, in a single division Washington State Championship Basketball Tournament, and

      WHEREAS, Among the teams invited to participate in the 1936 Washington State Championship Basketball Tournament was Willapa Valley High, a small school from Menlo, Washington, with a total enrollment of ninety-six students and only thirty-six boys; and

      WHEREAS, In the first game of the tournament, Valley faced the unbeaten squad from the much larger school, Lewis and Clark, and handed them a 43-39 defeat; and

      WHEREAS, On the second day of the tournament, Valley High upset the powerful team from Walla Walla by a score of 34-33, creating much excitement and causing observers to frantically ask the question AWhere is Valley?@; and

      WHEREAS, Following a 32-31 victory over Everett, the boys from Menlo had systematically defeated the three largest schools in the tournament, who had also been the pre-tournament favorites to win the championship; and

      WHEREAS, In the final championship game, Valley battled Hoquiam on even terms until a last second basket tied the score at 26, forcing a gut-wrenching overtime period; and

      WHEREAS, In the final three minutes of overtime, Valley scored six points to Hoquiam=s two, thus winning the 1936 State Championship in what is considered by many to be the most thrilling tournament championship game of all time;

      NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate remember this monumental event and recognize the members of the teamCBob Tisdale (1^st team All-State), Russell Eyer, Bud Alexander (2^nd team All-State), Ray Kraus, John Rosentangle, Carl Wiseman, Don Evavold, Al Belmont, Joe Drazil, Stanley Domin, coaches T. Armand Brim and Ed Tenoski, and manager Eddie BrighamCand honor their contribution to the annals of sports history in Washington State.       

I, Tony M. Cook, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 2000-8741,

adopted by the Senate March 6, 2000.

TONY M. COOK

Secretary of the Senate