Sports Beat column - April 3, 2008

Sports Beat

April 3, 2008

Sports Beat by Bill McCaffrey

Every time I see Travis Pastrana¹s name I think of my late friend Ray Huff, he and I crossed paths when he was at the German Orphan Home on Good Hope Road in SE DC and later at MacFarland Junior High School and Theodore Roosevelt High School in NW DC . Ray was Travis¹s grandfather and traveled the world t o see Travis doing his amazing feats. He even arranged to have Travis appear on my ŒInside Sports² TV Show on PGCTV-Channel 76 in Prince George ¹s County.

A movie coming soon is ³199 Lives: The Travis Pastrana Story², this movie follows Travis life from when he got his first motorcycle to last Summer. I am sorry that Ray Huff won¹t be there to see it. By the way, his uncle Alan Pastrana threw 19 TD passes for Lou Sabans 1966 Maryland team. Another movie to catch is ³Pip² and Zastrow about the friendship of ³Pip² Moyer and Zastrow Simms. I know both gentlemen and they are great people. ³Pip² is a former Mayor of Annapolis and Zastrow was the ³Man² at the Stanton Center and was well known for the hats he wore, it was my pleasure to have known both men.

Ed Cole has nominated Dave Burdette to be a St. Mary¹s College of Maryland athletic legend in the College¹s Hall of Fame. Burdette is a true hero in all aspects, he has been a courageous role model for both disability population but also for the able-bodied. He was an outstanding basketball star and was involved with the sailing team and tennis team while at St. Mary¹s.

In 1985 he was in a tragic bicycle accident which caused him to be paralyzed from the waist down but he overcame much and became the owner of Sun chemicals, active in many sports. He is a contender for a spot as jib trimmer on the US Paralympics sailing team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and I wouldn¹t bet against him in his quest to win that spot. During the recovery period from my stroke, he has been an inspiration to me as Phil Kapnick has been my motivator. Dave now lives in Lutherville with his wife, Susan and his daughter, Kendall. I certainly second the nomination for Dave to become a St. Mary¹s College Athletic Legend.

Langhorne, Toliver Tabbed AP Women's Basketball All-Americans
Langhorne is only three-time All-American in school history

Four Maryland women's basketball players received national honors from the Associated Press, the AP recently announced. Senior Crystal Langhorne and junior Kristi Toliver were selected second team All-Americans, the second time in school history the Terps have had more than one honoree in a season. Marissa Coleman and Laura Harper were honorable mention picks.

Currently leading the nation in field goal percentage and potentially the first player in NCAA history to do so in three times, Crystal Langhorne becomes the only three-time All-American in school history, garnering AP honors three-consecutive years. She ends her career as the most decorated player in Maryland women's basketball history. This season, she was the ACC's Player of the Year and was an All-ACC honoree for the fourth time in her career, the only player in school history to achieve the feat. She is also one of only 10 players in league history to be named to the first team three times. Langhorne led the team in scoring (17.3) and rebounding (9.4), ranking third in the ACC in both categories.

Langhorne's leaves College Park as the program's all-time leading scorer and rebounder, tallying 2,247 points and 1,229 rebounds. The only player in Maryland men's or women's basketball history with 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds, Langhorne has started the most women's basketball games in school history, breaking the record by one game. She also owns the school marks for field goal percentage (.652), field goals made (469) and free throw attempts (747). The ACC's all-time field goal shooting leader, she ranks sixth all-time in scoring and is tied for fourth in rebounding. Langhorne's jersey was honored by the University earlier this season on Feb. 24 at the conclusion of the Terps' final regular-season home game vs. Florida State . She is one of just five players to have her number hanging from the rafters.

Kristi Toliver becomes the sixth player in Maryland women's basketball history to be named an All-American and only the second selected by the AP. Toliver was named to the NCAA Spokane Regional All-Tournament team and ranks fifth in the nation in assists per game (7.4), while leading the ACC in the category. She was second behind Langhorne in scoring, recording a career-high 17.1 ppg. Toliver broke the ACC'S single-season assists mark (275), a 30-year old record held by former Terrapin and Hall of Famer Tara Heiss. Toliver also broke school records this season for three-pointers made (78), career threes made (209) and passed the 1,000-point career mark. She scored 631 poi nts this season the fourth-most points by a Terrapin in program history.

Marissa Coleman is an honorable mention for the second-straight year. She was named to the second team All-ACC squad for the second-straight year, averaging a career-high 16.1 points per game and 7.4 rebounds per game. She scored her 1,500th point this season, also breaking the program's single-season free throw record, sinking 166 while shooting 81.0 from the charity stripe.

Laura Harper also had a career season, breaking the school record for career blocks (198). She averaged career highs of 14.1 ppg and 8.5 rpg, while also shooting a career-best .603 from the floor. She scored over 1,400 points in her career and was named third team All-ACC team, her first-career conference postseason honor. This year, Maryland became the first team in NCAA history with four active players with 1,400 career points. The Terps advanced to the Elite Eight for the second time in three years, posting a 33-4 record, the second 30-win campaign in three seasons.

AP All-America List

FIRST TEAM
Candace Parker, Tennessee
Courtney Paris, Oklahoma
Candice Wiggins, Stanford
Sylvia Fowles, LSU
Maya Moore, Connecticut

SECOND TEAM
Crystal Langhorne, Maryland
Erlana Larkins, North Carolina
Angel McCoughtry, Louisville
Kristi Toliver, Maryland
Andrea Riley, Oklahoma State

THIRD TEAM
Amber Holt, Middle Tennessee State
Renee Montgomery, Connecticut
Leilani Mitchell, Utah
Epiphanny Prince, Rutgers
Tina Charles, Connecticut

HONORABLE MENTION (In alphabetical order)
Charel Allen, Notre Dame; Rachel Allison, Baylor; Jolene Anderson, Wisconsin; Matee Ajavon, Rutgers; Jayne Appel, Stanford; Kimberly Beck, George Washington; Chante Black, Duke; Shannon Bobbitt, Tennessee; DeWanna Bonner, Auburn; Essence Carson, Rutgers; Kristi Cirone, Illinois State; Marissa Coleman, Maryland; Kimberly Dietz, Kansas State; Janelle Dodds, SMU; Natalie Doma, Idaho State; Robyn Fairbanks, Utah Valley State; Claire Faucher, Portland State; A'Quonesia Franklin, Texas A&M; Devanei Hampton, California; Laura Harper , Maryland; Tasha Humphrey, Georgia; Charde Houston, Connecticut; Briann January, Arizona State; Crystal Kelly, Western Kentucky; Natasha Lacy, UTEP; Jantel Lavender, Ohio State; Jeomi Maduka, Cornell; Jackie McFarland, Colorado; Lindsey Pluimer, UCLA; LaToya Pringle, North Carolina; Allie Quigley, DePaul; Adrianne Ross, TCU; Olayinka Sanni, West Virginia; Jenna Smith, Illinois; Takia Starks, Texas A&M; Angela Tisdale, Baylor; Ashley Walker, California; Marcedes Walker, Pittsburgh; Abby Waner, Duke; Morgan Warburton, Utah; Khadijah Whittington, N.C. State; Tierre Wilson, Fresno State; Monica Wright; Virginia; Tamera Young, James Madison; Hannah Zavecz, Wyoming.

MARYLAND LOSES TO STANFORD

Brenda Frese watched her Terps lose to Stanford 98-87 and fall short of the team push for the Final Four. Stanford¹s Candice Wiggins scorched the cords for 41 points, Kristi Toliver had 35 for the Terps. Stanford came out with fire in their eyes and heat in their game. They thought they should have had a number one seed not a two and they took it out on the Terps. Crystal Langhorne and Laura Harper had bad games on both ends of the court. All in all I have to congratulate Brenda Frese for another great coaching job despite the pressure she was under.

Quick Hits
€ Maryland ranked fifth in the final Associated Press poll, appearing in the top five every week.
€ The Terps' No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament is the second time in the history of the program they have earned a top seed. € Crystal Langhorne became only the fourth player in ACC history to score 2,200 points and grab 1,200 career rebounds.
€ Maryland surpassed its win total from a year ago. Last year's team went 28-6 overall and 10-4 in ACC play.
€ Maryland has recorded four-straight 20- win seasons for the first time in school history.
€ For the first time in the history of the program, Maryland won 10 ACC games in three-consecutive seasons. Its 13 league wins and 92.9 winning percentage both tie school records.
€ The Terps' four All-ACC selections are a school record. Crystal Langhorne is Maryland 's first four-time All-ACC honoree and one of just 10 in the history of the ACC to be named to the first team three times.
€ Marissa Coleman's three-straight All-ACC selections makes her one of four Terrapins all-time to be named all-conference at least three times.
€ Th e Terps are one of two teams in NCAA history to have four players with 1,300 career points on the roster (along with 01-02 Connecticut ). They are one of 12 known teams with four 1,000-point scorers.
€ The Terps have had at least one player with a double-double in 29 of their 34 games and lead the country with 46 team double-doubles.
€ Crystal Langhorne and Kristi Toliver are finalists for the Naismith and Wooden Awards.
€ Kristi Toliver is a finalist for the Nancy Lieberman Award, presented to the nation's top point guar d.
€ The Terps advance to the regional semifinals for the sixth time in the history of the program and the second time in three years.
€ Maryland 's last trip to the Elite Eight was in 2006 when they advanced to the Final Four and won the national championship. Six players on that squad are on this season's team.
€ While Maryland is one of only 12 known teams in NCAA history with four active players with 1,000 points, it is also one of only two with four players with 1,300 points. The Terrapins need just five points to become the only team in NCAA history with four players with 1,400 points.
€ Crystal Langhorne has scored over 2,000 points in her career, while Marissa Coleman recently surpassed the 1,500-point mark. Kristi Toliver needs just two points for 1,400 for her career, while Laura Harper needs three. All four Terps are ranked in the top 15 all-time at Maryland in scoring.

Maryland-Stanford Connections
€ Stanford's Candice Wiggins and Cissy Pierce, and Maryland's Crystal Langhorne and Laura Harper were all McDonalds All-Americans in 2004.
€ Langhorne, Harper and Wiggins played together on the 2007 U21 USA World Championship Team.
€ Maryland 's Marissa Coleman, Wiggins and Stanford's Jayne Appel played together on the 2007 US Pan American team.
€ Langhorne and Wiggins played together on the 2005 U19 USA World Championship team.
€ Wiggins and Harper were teammates on the 2004 Junior World Qualifying Championship team
€ Making its 17th NCAA Tournament appearance overall from 1988-1993.
€ The Terrapins have posted a 24-15 record in 17 appearances, winning the National Championship in 2006 as the No. 2 seed in the Albuquerque Region. They advanced to the second round for the fifth-straight year, a first in the history of the program.
€ Maryland 's only appearance in the national championship game came in 2006. The Terps have advanced to the Final Four three times in the history of the program (1982, 1989, 2006). They have also been to the Elite Eight six times and the Sweet Sixteen seven times (including the team's trip to Spokane ).
€ In 1 989, Maryland earned the program's first No. 1 seed. It has been the No. 2 seed six times, including the last two seasons. Maryland was also the third seed once in 1983 and has never been the numbers four, five, 10 or 11 seed.
€ In its four NCAA Tournament appearances under head coach Brenda Frese, Maryland improved its seeding from a No. 12 in 2003-04, to a No. 7 in 2004-05, to a No. 2 seed in 2005-06 and 2006-07. The Terps earned their first No. 1 seed under Frese this season and their first since 1989.
€ Entering the NCAA Tournament, the Terps boasted plenty of postseason experience. Four starters from this year's team started in the 2006 National Championship game.
€ Six of the players have played in at least 11 tournament games. Senior Crystal Langhorne has started a school-record 13 NCAA Tournament games over her career.
€ Langhorne and classmate Ashleigh Newman have played in all 13 NCAA Tournament games of their careers, tying the record held by former Terrapin Shay Doron. Senior Jade Perry has played in 12 games, which ties for the fourth-most among all-time Terrapins, while juniors Marissa Coleman and Kristi Toliver have played in 11 tournament games, tying for the sixth-most appearances in school history.

BOWIE STATE SCHEDULE
Make plans to come out to support our student-athletes Š

Wednesday, April 2              Softball vs. Columbia Union College (DH)                              3 p.m.
Saturday, April 5                  Women¹s Tennis vs. Elizabeth City State University (DH) 10 a.m.
Sunday, April 6                     Softball vs. Livingstone College (DH)                                    1 p.m.
                                               Women¹s Tennis vs. University of D.C.                               12 noon
Tuesday, April 8                   Track & Field - Moultrie Invitational                                    12 noon
Friday, April 11                     Women¹s Tennis vs. St. Paul ¹s (DH)                                   12 noon
Saturday, April 12                 Softball vs. Virginia Union (DH)                                              1 p.m
DH - Doubleheader

Be advised this schedule is subject to change. Therefore, please visit the official website of Bowie State University Athletics at www.bsubulldogs.com.

Dear Members and Friends of
The One Hundred Club of Anne Arundel County
We are asking you to support our once a year fundraising event.
The 8th Annual Banquet
It is truly a worthwhile event

Enjoy a fabulous Surf & Turf Dinner, Open Bar, Jazz Band, Silent Auction, a solemn salute honoring those who have died in the line of duty serving Anne Arundel County . We will reward firefighters, police and emergency personnel the Unsung Hero Award. These men and women deserve recognition from us. PLEASE JOIN IN!

We've postponed the annual membership renewal until June so members will not be asked to support both at the same time of the year.

The date is Monday, April 28th $65 pp Michael's Eighth Avenue Respond by email or call Pete Shaeffer 410-625-6110 or Barry Brandt 410-431-7191 We will send your tickets ASAP

A Classic Case
Returns to Killarney House for a third straight year for our post Roe Down Party
Sunday, April 6th Music from 5:00 > 9:00

Other Upcoming Music at Killarney House:
All Music in Pub Friday and Saturday from 8:30 > 12:00
Fri April 4th: Mark Desrochers
Sat April 5th: Ray Weaver
Fri April 11th: Justin Ryan
Sat April 12th: Jordan Page
Fri April 18th: Ray Weaver
Sat April 19th: Angie Miller|
Fri April 25th: Jordan Page
Sat April 26th: Ray Weaver T.I.P.S.C. performs
Tues April 15 8:00 > 11:00 in pub
See Jordan the 2nd Sat. of each month and last Friday

WE GET LETTERS

Dan Morrison sent me this article by Theola Labb¹e in March 21st Washington Post.
Security At DC's Wilson High to Be Tightened
By Theola Labbé Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, March 21, 2008; Page B01
D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee is putting more stringent security measures in place at Woodrow Wilson High School in Northwest after 13 students were arrested in two fights this week. When students return from spring break March 31, they will be confined to eating lunch in their classrooms instead of being able to sit with friends anywhere on the sprawling campus. Three additional security officers will be on duty, for a total of 10.

Rhee outlined the measures in a letter she plans to mail to parents tomorrow. In the letter, she says she is making the changes to "decrease the incidents of violence and to help all students remain focused on their learning and feel safer in school." Rhee said this was a short-term solution while officials work out "longer term plans to protect our students." Parents say the problems are related to the transfer of ninth-graders, including older students with behavioral problems, to Wilson . Mai Abdul Rahman, whose 18-year-old son was assaulted late last month, said she learned from detectives that her son was attacked by 18-year-old ninth-graders.

"They need serious help in terms of counseling and smaller classes," Rahman said. "How many kids are we going to suspend and expel? It's a cycle unless we deal with the issue." Safety issues are not unusual at or limited to Wilson . In the city's high schools, students pass through metal detectors and visitors show proof of identity and sign in. But spokeswoman Mafara Hobson said Rhee, who attended a PTSA meeting at the school Wednesday night, wanted to particularly address the Wilson situation after she and her office received phone calls and e-mails about reports of violence at the school.

"The chancellor is committed to examining security concerns across the [school system] to ensure the safety of all of our students," Hobson said. Nineteen incidents involving assault or fights among students have been reported at Wilson this school year, with three months left. Hobson said 22 incidents were reported last school year. Assistant Police Chief Diane Groomes said other campuses have had problems this year.

"It's like a School of the Week; every week, it's a different school," Groomes said. School and police officials could not provide school-violence figures yesterday to compare with Wilson 's. Five Wilson students were arrested this week in an incident stemming from arguments in the cafeteria. The next day, eight students were arrested in what Groomes called a "major altercation."

Wilson took several steps to mitigate the problem, she said, such as having two student entrances, instead of three. Rhee acknowledged that "we're having a problem, and that it's a serious problem, and that's recognition that I really welcome," Rahman said. She said her son was hit with fists and kicked in the head after being jumped by a group of students in the school gymnasium Feb. 26. Rahman said she watched a video of the incident, which was captured on a hand-held camera.

All ninth-grade students were moved from junior highs to high schools this school year. That also caused problems at Ballou Senior High School, where ninth-graders from one neighborhood started fighting with students from another neighborhood, Groomes said.

In her letter to parents, Rhee said officials planned to meet with the staff of alternative programs to work on easing the transition of their students into a regular school environment. Wilson has four students from the Oak Hill youth detention facility, 12 from the city's detention center on Mount Olivet Road NE and 11 from a program for suspended students, according to school system figures.

Dan, Thanks for the article. I can¹t believe this is a school where Patricia MacDonald, Bette Wisecarver, Margie Gemhover and Eleanor Runge went. Bill

Bill, Will they still be letting the Jr. ROTC use the 'firing range' in the basement. ??? They were still active there - as of last year - when I presented the '54 Integrated Public High All Star Team picture to then male principal Tarrason. His female replacement Principal will not likely be able to hold these incidents to a minimum. What say you ??? Rogers here

Rogers here, Let¹s hope not. Bill

Bill, I made one mistake on the Jock¹s recipients. Eli Blank went to Tech not Eastern, sorry. Joe

Hi Bill, Cully and I were in Ocean City for the first Retired DC Policeman's convention. They have reunions in Florida but not here. It was very successful, around 250 came. DC Police Chief Cathy Lenier gave a wonderful talk on Saturday night. We were seated at a table with several friends and a couple I had not met the gal said that I must know Bill McCaffrey because she sees my name in your column. They were Pat and Skip Hartford. Loved talking to them (were your ears ringing?) Of course Pat went to Eastern and Skip went to Anacostia. Good people. Hope all is well with you and your walking is coming along. Fondly, Carole

Carole, Pat and Skip are very good people as you and Cully are. Bill

Bill, I don't know about you, but I am looking forward to things warming up. So, let's heat up some pubs this month. Hope you can stop by:
Friday, April 4, 8:30 - Midnight - Backroom at the Woodfire Restaurant in Severna Park , 410-315-8100, http://www.woodfirebackroom.com/backroom.html. Last month we had a great group of former legislative staffers there - Thanks for a fun night.
Saturday, April 5, 8:30-Midnight - Castlebay Irish Pub in Annapolis , 410-626-0165, http://www.castlebayirishpub.com/contact.aspx
Friday, April 11 - 8-12, Piv's Pub in Cockeysville , 410-666-PIVS http://pivspub.com/aboutus.php.
Friday, April 18, 9-1:30 - The Stil in Timonium, 410-560-7900, http://www.thestill.net/. Last month there were quite a few Dulaney alums there. See you at the bar; Steve Ports, Don Wimbrough, David Bell and Bill Fritz

Steve, You guys are super! Bill

Bill, Thanks so much for the column, my hometown news connection of course. Loving watching the NCAAW Sweet 16. Maryland women blew out Vanderbilt yesterday and look really strong this year as usual. I think Coach Brenda Frese and her powerhouses are just in a class above most of the rest and are right up there with UConn and Tennessee Lady Vols and the inimitable Pat Summit, winningest coach in the entire NCAA to grab the trophy this year. Beautiful spring weather here and lots of young people enjoying their spring break. Danica Patrick was a real contender yesterday in the opening of the Indy drivers at Homestead , Florida . She started 4th and finished 6th with Scott Dixon taking the win. Sure hope there will be a reunion soon for the 50's DC high school jocks, long overdue isn't it? Blessings to you and yours, Dale

SPORTS NOTES

Pedro Martinez and J.J. Putz go on the DL. Olmedo Saenz gets a minor league contract from the Nats. Alex Cintron gets a minor league contract from the Orioles. Nats put Elijah Dukes on the DL and bring up Chris Schroder. The Astros released pitcher Woody Williams. I wonder where they are now Richard Graf, Bobbie Ray Dalton, Joan Scott Thorn, Beverly Brown, Harry Chaconas, Charlotte Tomason, Joan O¹Rourke, Hollis Mullens, Richard Coons, Linda Gerik, and Joan Savage? In the opening day golf event at Old South the winning team with a 50 was Dave Baron, Lou John, Terry Kohler, and Perer O¹Rourke. Donnie Walsh takes over as President of the New York Knicks. Gilbert Arenas has returned to the Wiz lineup. We will have our NL picks next week. Also our MLS picks. Johnny Holiday is looking good on the Nats telecasts.

Our deepest sympathy goes to the following families:
Herb Rich, former 3 sport star at Vanderbilt and NFL defensive back with the Rams and Giants.
Steven Gilmer Foster, Sr., graduate of Bladensburg high school.
Gloria Johnson Nahid, grad of Armstrong (DC) HS.
Mildred Edith Lyles Costagliola, Eastern (DC) HS grad.
Constance Gilroy Gubisch, St. Cecilias¹s (DC) Academy grad.
Harry Kitchener, Theodore Roosevelt (DC) HS grad.
Paul Scofield, actor.
Terry Butler, Suitland HS grad.
Josephine Louise Hendrick, Central (DC) HS grad.
Ivan Scott, news reporter for WTOP radio.
L. Garry Coitl, Landon School grad. Ivan Dixon, actor on Hogans¹ Heroes.
Richard Allen Lukshaw, Washington-Lee HS grad.
Ellen Marie Madigan Ward, grad Notre Dame (DC) Academy.

SUPPORT SOUTHERN MD SPORTS!!