Sports Beat column - May 8, 2008

Sports Beat

May 8, 2008

Sports Beat by Bill McCaffrey

About ten years ago a friend told me I ought to go and see a women's football game and I told him I had no desire to see powder puff or flag football played by girls....He told me it was real football played by women, so to humor him I went to a Baltimore Burn game at Dundalk Community College and man, oh man was I surprised....IT was real rock em, sock em football played by women....They executed plays, hit hard and played good defense....This was not girls playing powder puff or flag football. Then I discovered the D.C. DIVAS (A Championship team in my own back yard) hey they are well coached run NFL type plays on offense, play smack down on defense----They are the real deal! The players have real jobs and play the game because of their love for the game, just like the Redskins did when they came to D.C. and practiced on the Anacostia flats and played at Griffith Stadium on Sundays....They went thru the rough times, the rewarding times! The warriors who were doing it for the love of the game! It ishappening again! The D.C, Divas are the new gang on the D.C. Championship block...

A D.C. Divas game is a great event for the entire family and on the field IT is real football played by women who love the game!

Passionate Battle Produces Pittsburgh-D.C. Classic

The greatest women's football game I've ever seen? was heard often after the thrilling 38-34 Pittsburgh Passion victory over the visiting D.C. Divas. The Divas will host Pittsburgh Passion on June 14th.

D.C. DIVAS WIN HOME OPENER 35-6

The D.C. Divas hosted the Baltimore Nighthawks in a hard fought battle last Saturday. Corner back Kathryn Hemlock returned 5 punts for 143 yards and 2 impressive touchdown returns. Running back Tiffany "Space Ghost" Matthews earned a game ball for her 13 carry 117 yard performance that included a touchdown. Quarterback Allyson Hamlin threw for two TD passes and partnered with wide receiver Tara Stephenson who finished the night with 7 catches for 80 yards and 1 TD.

D.C. Diva's Quarterback Doubles as Athlete, Detective D.C. Divas quarterback Allyson Hamlin has played professional football for more than eight years and has been with the county police just as long. She says that female football players might not be as strong as male ones, but that what women lack in physical ability they make up for in technique and commitment to the sport.

Out and About

On April 12th, the D.C.Divas supported the Northern Virginia Ronald McDonald House walk at Tyson's Galleria.

Calling all D.C. Divas fans!

Join our Yahoo Groups Mailing List to receive e-news about the D.C. Divas! You'll be kept informed of upcoming D.C. Divas events, appearances, news & receive discount coupons for tickets and merchandise.

Crystal City Sports Pub Player Profile Ivy Tillman

For each one of us there is a line of demarcation in life, a point from which there is no return. Whether intended or accidental, planned or unexpected, it is typically a dramatic transition. From that juncture onward everything is completely different. Divas linebacker Ivy Tillman remembers her moment vividly.

Some of the local players on the team include:
Crystal Boyd ? LB
Mealine George ? DL
Kimberly Hall ? DL
Allyson Hamlin ? QB (co-Capt.)
Claudia Hogan ? RB
Lauren Pruitt ? FB
Dameka Reese ? DB
Dee Savage ? DL
Tanisha Williams ? RB
Michele Windsor ? OL

My two favorites are QB Allyson Hamlin and TE Donna Wilkinson. Wilkinson is also a favorite of former Governor William Donald Schaefer. The Divas play at Central PA on Saturday, May 17th then host Central PA on May 24th.

CAVALIERS SEND WIZ PACKING

You know a lot of folks felt the Wiz would beat the Cavaliers, they believed the trash talking Wiz plus the Wiz took to roughing up the Cav?s especially King James. But in the end the Wiz had nothing left in the tank. The Wiz even with Gilbert ?Agent Zero? Arenas will never win an NBA title. Brendon Haywood is not a front line NBA center. Butler and Jamison are really good players, DeShawn Stevenson is decent but not great, and the Wiz have no depth. Eddie Jordan is a decent coach but he doesn?t remind anyone of former Bullet, Caps coaches like Red Auerbach, Dick Motta, or Gene Shue. Free agency could deplete this team, if they want to get to the next level they need a quality big man, an all pro point guard and to retain their free agents. This off season will be a test for team president Ernie Grunfeld ? can he get the team the talent to the next level or will they remain a trash talking team that can?t get out of the first round in the NBA playoffs.

Maryland Announces 2008 Field Hockey Schedule
Terps take on tough opponents from the Big Ten, Big East and other top conferences

The Maryland field hockey team announced its 2008 fall schedule, starting on Aug. 30 at Bucknell, kicking off a three-game swing in Pennsylvania . The Terps will get an early chance to redeem themselves traveling to Penn State on Sept. 2. The Nittany Lions knocked out the Terps in the second round of last year's NCAA tournament.

"The 2008 schedule is powerful and exciting. We enjoy the toughest competition and competing at home where our fan base is extremely supportive," said head coach Missy Meharg, who completed her 20th season at the helm in 2007. "The schedule includes rigorous ACC play and non-conference games with teams from the top conferences, including the Big Ten, Big East and the Ivy League. We also look forward to bringing in top teams for the annual Terrapin Invitational, which includes Northwestern, Syracuse and our local-rival American."

The Terrapins will add another chapter to a storied series, which dates back to 1982. Two of the top field hockey programs in the history of the NCAA, Maryland and ODU open the home-and-home series, which dates back to 2000, with the Lady Monarchs visiting the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex in College Park on Sept 5. The Terps will then travel to Norfolk, Va., on Oct. 17. Maryland has won the last five meetings between the teams. After the 5 meeting with ODU, the Terrapins will hit the road to play Michigan in on Sept. 7. The Wolverines finished the season ranked sixth by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Poll.

This year's Terrapin Invitational takes place Sept. 13-14 and features Syracuse , Northwestern, Delaware and American. The Terps battle with the Orangewomen on the opening day of the event and Northwestern the following day.

What has become one of the top rivalries in NCAA field hockey, the Terrapins host American on Sept. 17, in what has become a fan favorite event.

The Terrapins open the ACC slate versus Boston College on Sept. 20 as part of a five game stretch that features four ACC teams. The Terps travel to Winston-Salem , N.C, to face Wake Forest on Sept. 27. Richmond will break up the ACC stretch on Sept 28, before the Terrapins play games at Virginia on Oct. 4, and versus rival Duke on Oct. 11.

The Terps will play consecutive games versus the Ivy League, beginning with the University of Pennsylvania on Oct. 12, and continuing with a game at defending Ivy League Champion, Princeton on Oct. 14. After the Terps' trip to New Jersey , they stay on the road to close out the series with ODU, before returning home to finish the regular season with three-straight games. Regional foe Delaware visits on Oct. 19, then defending National Champion North Carolina comes to the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex on Oct. 25 in an attempt to avenge last year's 3-0 loss in what is expected to be a near-capacity crowd. The regular season concludes with Senior Night versus Virginia Commonwealth at 7 P.M.

The 2008 ACC Championship will be hosted by Duke, Nov. 6-9. The Terps have reached the finals seven of the last nine seasons. NCAA Tournament action begins Nov. 15-16 on campus sites. The national semifinals and championship game will be played in Louisville , Ky. Maryland advanced to the national semifinals in four out of the last five years. The Terps won the NCAA title two out of the last three seasons. They return 17 letter winners from last year's team, including All-Americans Katie O'Donnell, Susie Rowe and Nicole Muracco.

Crustacean Nation Inauguration
by Timothy Tilghman

Minor League Baseball has arrived in Charles County. The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs are now the fourth minor league ball team to launch in Maryland over the last 15 years. The late afternoon pageantry of the Crustacean Nation Sensation was a grand slam with the fans as the Blue Crabs successfully defeated the Lancaster Barnstormers in their inaugural ballgame on Friday, May 2, 2008.

The red ribbon cutting ceremony at Regency Furniture Stadium was officiated as eager baseball fans stood in the queue. Charles County Commissioner Gary Hodge addressed the huddled spectators standing outside the main stadium gates. Hodge eventually presented Orioles Baseball Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson with a framed Charles County Seal. Robinson is a celebrity partner in the Blue Crabs franchise.

The Smithereens, originating from New Jersey, provided live entertainment to the Southern Maryland audience prior to the launch of the Blue Crabs home season in Waldorf. The quartet performed an abbreviated set situated on a mobile flatbed, parked at second base. Only six songs long, they certainly pack a rock'n roll punch in their energetic delivery.

The Field ceremonies preceding the ballgame were choreographed for maximum impact. The Blue Crabs raced out onto the green turf serenaded by the Chesapeake Caledonian Pipes and Drums, a Scottish bag piping band. Several local baseball little league teams from the surrounding counties were assembled along the baselines. Members of Maryland 's military were honored. Students from the 25-member McDonough High School Chamber Choir sang the National Anthem.

The inaugural ballgame finally got underway as the first pitch crossed home plate at 7:54 PM . The Lancaster Barnstormers were leading in the game until the Blue Crabs scored their first home run in the sixth inning. From there on out, the Blue Crabs went on to score two more runs by the eighth inning, securing the lead and eventually winning their premiere ballgame at home in Waldorf. The game concluded victoriously at 10:10 PM.

To cap off a stupendous Opening Day extravaganza at their new facility, the Blue Crabs treated their new fans both young and old alike to a spectacular Fireworks display. Vivid colors burst upon the indigo sky, streaking rainbows of lighted stars accompanied by thunderous booms that announced a new sports season had begun in Waldorf.

Bar none, the facility amenities at Regency Furniture Stadium may have set a new standard to be expected at al future Minor League venues built henceforth. To begin with, there is an expansive lawn area that reaches around the perimeter of the outfield. Ball fans can leisurely relax on lawn chairs, blankets or a single row of bleachers that stretch across the backfield seating section.

An enclosed children's playground and picnic area complete with sawdust acts as a major distraction for the little legs. For the inexpensive cost of admission, parents and their children can escape the tension of the innings action and hang out in this crowded outdoor arcade. An added attraction underneath the leftfield ramp is a unique Bumper Boats flotilla. For those who prefer exclusivity, the stadium features a raised deck section under a tent that offers an open buffet during the ballgame.

Roadtrips cyber link

ORIOLES SKID

Through Wednesday of this past week the Orioles were in a five game skid and hit a sub .500 16-18 record. Is this the end of the Orioles as a contender (if they were ever truly that)? Their fielding, base running, and batting have been terrible. Dave Trembley seems to be a nice guy but despite his desire to have his players become fundamentally sound they just aren?t playing good baseball and I think they now realize their catcher has been with four teams, like the other evening when he thought he had jacked one out and it hit off the wall while he was doing a home run jog around the bases and ended up being thrown out at second. Adam Jones shows signs of becoming a decent hitter but he?s terrible in the field. Look for Brian Roberts to be traded very soon and a veteran pitcher is on his last leg as an Oriole.

Aeros Snap Baysox Winning Streak, Baysox Start Another

The Aeros came into the first game of the doubleheader with a 5-1 lead in the third inning and coasted to a 7-3 victory to end the Baysox three-game winning streak. The Baysox came back and won the second game 3-1. The first game was the completion of the game suspended due to rain on April 20. Due to Minor League Baseball rules, the second game was seven innings. After the doubleheader, the Baysox are 15-13 and take over sole possession of second place. David Huff shut down the Baysox for the final seven innings of the first game. He allowed two runs on a Ben Davis homerun, but allowed only five hits and one walk while striking out eight. The Baysox bullpen pitched well in the first game, but the offense couldn't compensate for the early defecit. Rommie Lewis started the first game, he had come out in relief of starter Chorye Spoone back on April 20th. Lewis did not allow a run in 2.2 innings. Ryan Keefer allowed two runs on a two-run homer by Nathan Panther and Gerardo Casadiego pitched two scoreless innings. In the second game, Baysox starter David Hernandez dominated the Aeros. Hernandez cruised through the first three innings before getting into trouble in the fourth. Chris de la Cruz walked to lead off the inning and moved to third when Matt Whitney hit a one-out single to left. David Hernandez hit Wes Hodges with a pitch to load the bases. With the bases loaded and one out, Nathan Panther grounded into a fielders choice to drive in the Aeros only run of the game. The Baysox scored their first run in the third when Freddie Bynum scored on a Lou Montanez sacrifice fly. They added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth when Ryan Finan singled to right with one out, scoring Jeff Nettles and Nolan Reimold. Hernandez came out to pitch in the top of the seventh, but was relieved when he walked Ryan Goleski with one out. Julio Manon came on and recorded his fourth save in four days.

Leadoff Men Lead Berken to Second Win

The Baysox leadoff man scored in each of the first four innings and Jason Berken pitched very effectively through six innings to earn his second win. Freddie Bynum had a pair of runs and a pair of RBI and Nolan Reimold hit his third homerun of the season in the Baysox 6-2 victory.

With the win, the Baysox are now 16-13, and 2.5 games behind division leading Harrisburg . Freddie Bynum, on a Major League rehab assignment, hit a triple on a line drive to center field to lead off the bottom of the first, and scored on a Lou Montanez sacrifice fly. Nolan Reimold led off the bottom of the second inning with a homerun to right center field.

The Baysox added two more runs in the third inning. Bynum lead off with a single to right and went to second when Carlos Rojas drew a walk. Lou Montanez hit a double down the right field line, scoring Bynum, but Rojas was held at third. The right fielder missed his cutoff man with his throw back to the infield, allowing Rojas to score and Montanez to move to third on the play. Montanez was credited with a double and one RBI on the play. In the fourth inning, Ryan Finan led off with a walk. He moved to second when Kennard Jones grounded out, and went to third on a Blake Davis single to left. Left fielder Nathan Panther also made an errant throw back to the infield, allowing Davis to move to second. Both runners scored on a bizarre hit by Freddie Bynum.

With Bynum batting and runners on second and third, Akron brought the infield in. Bynum hit a slow groundball in between first and second. Second baseman Brandon Chaves nearly made a great play on the ball, ranging back and to his left, but the ball got past him into right field. The outfield was playing at normal depth, and Ryan Goleski had a long run to the ball. By the time he fielded it and threw it back into the infield, Bynum was on second with a double and both Finan and Blake Davis had scored. Baysox starter Jason Berken was terrific, he did not allow two Aeros to reach base in the same inning until the sixth. He allowed one run in six innings on five hits and a walk while striking out two.

The Aeros finally broke through with a run on Berken in the fifth inning. Wes Hodges started the inning with a double off the wall to right center field and moved to third on a groundout by Stephen Head. Hodges scored on a sacrifice fly by Chris Giminez. Giminez drove in the only other Aeros run with a homerun to left center field off Jason Burch in the seventh. Burch struggled a little in his Eastern League debut. He allowed the solo homerun to Giminez in the seventh and pitched a scoreless eighth, but was relieved with nobody out in the ninth with runners on first and second. Kam Mickolio got Stephen Head to ground into a double play and Chris Giminez to ground out to record his first save of the season.

The Baysox and the Aeros will complete the four game series Sunday at 2:05 p.m. RHP Chris Tillman (2-0, 2.91 ERA) is scheduled to pitch for the Baysox, he will be opposed by Aeros LHP Ryan Edell (1-1, 3.45 ERA). Sunday is also Bark in the Park day, fans are encouraged to fetch a fun day with their pooch and bring their dogs to the ballpark.

Bow-WOW! B-Sox Streak Hits Six

Felix Romero threw 3.1 scoreless innings of relief to earn his first win of the season as the Baysox beat the Akron Aeros 8-5 Sunday. With the win, the Baysox are 17-13 and have won six in a row. Although the Baysox lost the first game of a doubleheader Friday, that game was the resumption of a game suspended on April 20, so the loss was attributed to that date. Nolan Reimold, Blake Davis and Carlos Rojas led the Baysox attack with three hits apiece. Kennard Jones and Jonathan Tucker each added a pair of hits as the Baysox dogged the Aeros pitchers for a season-high 15 hits.

Reimold scored the first run of the game in the second inning. After reaching on a single to left, Reimold would eventually score on an infield single by Blake Davis. Reimold would drive in the second run of the game in the third inning when he hit a triple on a long fly ball to the wall in right center field to score Lou Montanez from first. The Aeros got to Baysox starter Chris Tillman in the fourth inning. After giving up back-to-back singles to lead off the inning, Tillman got Matt Whitney to hit a pop-up for the first out before giving up a three-run homerun to Wes Hodges. Tillman would go on to throw 36 pitches in the inning before being relieved by Felix Romero with two outs, a runner on first and the Baysox trailing 3-2.

The Baysox took Tillman off the hook in the bottom of the third. Six consecutive Baysox reached base with one out. Mike Pierce and Blake Davis both singled to left. Kennard Jones singled to center, scoring Pierce and moving Davis to third. Carlos Rojas singled to right, scoring Davis , and Lou Montanez walked to load the bases. Jeff Nettles drew a bases loaded walk to force in a run before Nolan Reimold grounded into a double play to end the inning with the Baysox leading 5-3.

Romero pitched through the seventh inning without allowing a run. The Baysox would add another run in the bottom of the seventh when Nolan Reimold doubled to left and scored on a Jonathan Tucker single to right.

Gerrardo Casadiego came in to pitch in the eighth inning and ran into some trouble. Josh Rodriguez hit a one-out single to center and went to third on a double to left by Chris Giminez. Matt Whitney popped out to shortstop Blake Davis and Wes Hodges hit a ball up the middle. Second baseman Carlos Rojas fielded the ball and threw to first, but his throw sailed apst Jeff Nettles. Hodges was credited with an infield single and an RBI, and went to second on the error while both Rodriguez and Giminez scored to close the lead to 6-5.

The Baysox got both runs back in the bottom of the inning. Blake Davis hit a one-out single to right and moved to second on a wild pitch. Carlos Rojas hit a two-out single to right. Davis scored on Rojas' single, and right fielder Ryan Goleski threw home, allowing Rojas to go to second base. Lou Montanez hit a double to right to score Rojas and extend his hitting streak to a team-high 13 games.

Julio Manon came on to pitch in the ninth, looking for his fifth save in six days. Manon had not allowed a runner to reach base during that stretch before allowing a one out walk to Armando Camacaro. Brandon Chaves followed the walk with a single down the right field line to move Camacaro to third. Chaves went to second on defensive indifference before Manon retired Chris de la Cruz on a fly ball and Josh Rodriguez with a strikeout to end the game.

Bowie will open a seven game road trip on Monday, playing the first of a four game series with the New Britain Rock Cats at 6:35 p.m. After that series, the Baysox will head to Portland for a three game series before returning home to Prince George 's Stadium May 13 to face the Erie SeaWolves. The Baysox will also host the USA Olympic Softball Team Saturday, May 10 as they play an exhibition game against the Washington Glory.

Baysox Win Streak Dries Up Without Waters

Unbeaten lefty Chris Waters was scheduled to pitch for the Baysox Monday, instead he was called up to AAA Norfolk. Kyle Schmidt was promoted from Class High-A Frederick to take his spot in the rotation, and he filled in well against the Rock Cats. Schmidt threw 5.1 innings, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five. He allowed a run in the bottom of the first when Brock Peterson singled in Luke Hughes. He would be charged with two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Baysox would score a pair of runs in the top of the second when Mike Rodriguez hit a ball that was deflected by pitcher Yohan Pino with runners on second and third. The ball was eventually fielded by shortstop Trevor Plouffe, Ryan Finan and Ben Davis both scored on the play and Rodriguez was credited with a single. The Baysox would add runs in the fifth and seventh innings on solo homeruns by Jonathan Tucker and Blake Davis. The Baysox led 3-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth. Kyle Schmidt got Luke Hughes to ground out before walking Dustin Martin. After the walk, Brock Peterson hit a double to center field, scoring Martin. Ryan Keefer came in to relieve Schmidt and allowed a two-run homerun to Matt Moses. Blake Davis?s homerun in the top of the second would tie the game at 4-4, but the Rock Cats would come back with another run in the bottom of the eighth when Erik Lis hit a double off of Jason Burch to score Matt Moses. After the 5-4 loss, the Baysox fall to 17-14, 3.5 games behind Harrisburg in the Southern Division. The loss snapped the Baysox six game winning streak. Lou Montanez went 0-4 to snap his hitting streak at 13 games.

HOWARD BLANKS BOWIE STATE IN REGULAR SEASON FINALE

Playing their final home game of the season, the Lady Bison of Howard University sent their five seniors out on a high note by blanking Bowie State 8-0 in non-conference action. Howard (17-15) scored three runs on the third inning with Brianne Gutierrez providing the biggest hit at the time, a double to right field scoring Jessica Norwood and Sondra Jones. A single by Emily Johnson scored Gutierrez, giving the Lady Bison a 3-0 advantage. Gutierrez increased Howard's lead to 5-0 in the bottom of the second inning, belting a two-run homerun to straight away center field, scoring Christina McCoy on the play. McCoy, the winning pitcher (9-9) had a no-hitter going at that point. Sophomore Annette Makle led off the fifth inning with a strikeout but senior Bethany Sloat and freshman Danielle McClay broke up McCoy's no-hitter. Unfortunately for Bowie State , the Lady Bulldogs were left stranded after seniors Jillian Willey and Erin Gray lined out and popped out respectively. Howard's Courtney Young led off the bottom half of the fifth with her seventh homerun of the season, increasing the Lady Bison lead to 6-0. Norwood began the bottom of the sixth inning with a single up the middle. Jones followed that with a double to center field, scoring Norwood . Gutierrez singled up the middle of the Bowie State defense, scoring Jones to end the game due to the mercy rule. Gutierrez paced Howard's Lady Bison with three hits and five RBI. Johnson and Norwood added three and two hits respectively. As a team, Howard pounded out 11 hits. Bowie State closes out their regular season with a 25-12 record.

STUDENT-ATHLETES HONORED AT ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET

The Bowie State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics concluded its 2007 - 2008 athletic year its 8th Annual Awards Banquet at Florian Hall. Athletic as well as academic awards were presented to members of each of Bowie State ?s athletic teams. The evening began with a positive message from Stan Lewter. Lewter is a television analyst for Urban Sports Network of Charlotte, North Carolina and also serves the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) as the Master of Ceremonies for its football and basketball tip-off luncheons and pre-tournament banquets. Highlights of the evening included the presentation of sixty-nine student-athletes with a 3.0 or better grade point average for the 2007 Fall Semester, the 2007-2008 Student-Athlete of the Year (DaMara Parrish) and Department of Athletics Volunteer of the Year (Lonnie Barksdale). Following is a full list of awards presented at the event:

STUDENT-ATHLETE HONOR ROLL (3.0 or Better Fall 2007)

(Football) Solomon Adderley, Julius Askins, Paul Atueyi, Devin Burton, William Callaway, Justin Carey, Kyle Edwards, Joseph Embree, Anthony Howe, Jeffrey Jean-Baptiste, Jerome Butler, Jerrick Jeffreys, Tariq Jones, Tristan Martin, Peter Mensah, Joshua Miller, Seth Rhoads, Matthew Rogers, Xavier Stevens, Darren Williams, Sherman White and Jamaal Wright ? (Men?s Track & Field) Christian Dixon, Aaron Johnson, Melvin Johnson, Walter Morton, Devin Richards, Kenneth Roach, Darryl Sanders, Malcolm Womack? (Men?s Basketball) Christian Jackson, Jeron Jackson, Matthew Legare and Carlos Williams ? (Softball) Tricia Corbin, Erin Gray (4.0), Lindsey Gray, Virginia Hockey, Danielle McClay, Tiffany Toney and Jillian Willey (4.0) ? (Women?s Volleyball) Tamar a Conner Rogers and Ashley Robinson ? (Women?s Basketball) Shawnita Briggs (4.0), Denita Hill, Brittney Jackson, Bianca Lee and Lakisha Walker ? (Women?s Track & Field) Ricci Alleyne, Sarah Clay, Jamese Cobb, Yolanda Nix, DaMara Parrish, Nicole Robinson, Phyllicia Sullivan, Tonya Walton, Erica Wright and Joyous Willis ? (Women?s Bowling) Adeshola Ashiru, Janine Canlas, Rebecca Frusciante and Jessica Sites ? (Women?s Tennis) Angelica Barrett, Danielle Davis and Marina Palma (4.0) and (Cheerleaders) Brittney Brooks, Candace Burgess, Tiffany Davis, Ashley Day, Andrea George, Courtney Halsey, Dominique Johnson, Capria Matthews and Shaveka Seward.

CHEERLEADERS
Rookie of the Year ? Andrea George
Most Valuable ? Dominique Johnson
Most Spirited ? Candice Burgess

FOOTBALL
Offensive Player of the Year ? Jerrick Jeffreys
Defensive Player of the Year ? Alexander Payton Most Valuable Player ? Tristan Martin

VOLLEYBALL
Offensive Threat ? Bethany Sloat
Coaches Award ? Ashley Robinson
Defensive Threat ? Tamira Conner Rogers

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Top Newcomer ? Bianca Lee Best
Defensive Player ? Markeya Watson
Co-Rookie of the Year ? Teaunsha Robinson
Co-Rookie of the Year ? Lakisha Walker
Most Valuable Player ? Allyson Swailes

MEN'S BASKETBALL
Most Talented ? David Paris
Best Defender ? Joshua Johnson
Most Valuable Player ? Jason Ingram

CROSS COUNTRY
Women?s Most Improved ? Christina Rowles
Men?s Most Improved ? Damien Montgomery
Women?s Charles ?Pop? Williams Award ? Elaine Rhoades
Men?s Charles ?Pop? Williams Award ? Malcolm Womack
Women?s Most Valuable Runner ? Shamika Patton
Men?s Most Valuable Runner ? Daryl Sanders

INDOOR TRACK & FIELD
Women?s Most Improved ? Christina Rowles
Women?s Charles ?Pop? Williams Award ? Nicole Robinson
Women?s Most Valuable Runner ? DaMara Parrish
Men?s Co-Most Improved ? Devin Richards
Men?s Co-Most Improved ? Patrick Small
Men?s Charles ?Pop? Williams Award ? Jamin Gallman
Most Valuable ? Dion Rodriguez

OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD
Women?s Co-Most Improved ? Sarah Clay
Women?s Co-Most Improved ? Melissa Cohen
Women?s Charles ?Pop? Williams Award ? Lakisha Carney
Women?s Most Valuable Runner ? DaMara Parrish
Men?s Co-Most Improved ? Byron Lewis
Men?s Co-Most Improved ? David Rustin
Men?s Charles ?Pop? Williams Award ? Malcolm Womack
Men?s Most Valuable ? Dion Rodriguez

WOMEN'S TENNIS
Team Award ? Lydia Mahon
Rookie of the Year ? Kyara Lombre
Most Valuable Player ? Danielle Davis

WOMEN'S BOWLING
Most Valuable Player ? Janine Canlas
Most Improved ? Dominique Carroll
High Average ? Tycora Brown

SOFTBALL
Leadership Award ? Erin Gray
Most Improved ? Annette Makle
Most Valuable Player ? Heather Enders

Each student-athlete, including those listed above, received a certificate of participation for the 2007 - 2008 athletic year.

WE GET LETTERS

Hi Bill, Here I am bragging again about my Lacrosse playing granddaughters who attend Catholic University . Lindsay Bitonti, a junior, made First Team All Conference and Katie (Katheryn) Bitonti made Second Team All Conference. The Lacrosse team will be in the playoffs this Saturday at 2:00 p.m. Will let you know if they win. Take care and enjoyed your column. I didn't know that Royal Farms had Fried Chicken. Have you had it, is it good? Will have to try it when I go to O.C. this month. Regards, Carole West Cullinane

Dear Carole, It?s not bragging, they are doing a great job at CU. Chicken is good at Royal Farms. Don?t forget to root for Donnie at Dover on May 31st-June 1st. The best to you and Cully on the cruise. Bill

Bill, Catholic University Girls Lacrosse team beat Goucher College Gophers 21 to 10 to win the Landmark Conference Championship. Last night they were asked into the NCAA Championship games for the first time in their history. I believe the first game is Wednesday. Regards, Carole

Dear Carole, Good report, thanks. Bill

Bill, I love the photo of our Patsy who sadly left this world in October of last year. I had tried to call Patsy on her birthday last month and the phone had been disconnected. Of course this was why. John Linthicum, Eastern class of 53, attached the photo to Patsy's obituary in the Washington Post for us all to remember her by. You may have double dated with Patsy and John and remember they were married after graduation. The marriage ended in divorce sadly and both have remarried since then. I will remember her infectious laugh, those huge brown eyes, and the good times we had at our Emanon sorority functions, at the football and basketball games, our hell night in downtown DC, the Iron Gate Inn dinners, and just the enjoyment of being together. How cute Patsy looked, like an Eskimo gal, in her parka at our weiner roasts and hayrides to Great Falls Park . She even invited me to come along with her and her mother for a vacation in Atlantic City . If any of you would like to share your remembrances of Patsy that would be great. You can send your thoughts to me if you like and I will pass them around to the others. Elsie, I know you have great memories of times with Patsy at your beach house at Selby on the Bay. I remember Elsie, Patsy and I had applied for jobs at the CIA after graduation. Their investigation took three months I believe and I could not wait that long so I took a job with a small insurance company downtown. I will print this out and send it along with the photo and obit to any of Patsy's friends who are not online if you will send me the addresses. Blessings and love to all, Dale Poole Sawyer, Roosevelt class of 53

Dear Dale, Good report, those hayrides were great. Bill

Gentlemen: Seriously, how 'bout a toast to our Nats, huh? With today's improbable 12th inning comeback victory against the Braves, a team that the national commentarial had left for dead has now won six of their last eight games as they head into a four-game weekend series against the Pirates down on Half Street . They've climbed back into the NL East race and re-energized their fan base with sharp starting pitching (Lannan, Redding , Perez, Hill), clutch hitting (Nieves, Lastings and Lopez), and a deep, dependable bullpen (Rivera, Ayala, Rauch). The record at the end of April is 11-17, a far cry from the 9-25 mark we were sporting at a similar point last year. It's been done for the most part without consistent hitting from the middle of the order...without our closer, starting catcher and last year's leading hitter...and without an effective left-handed bullpen specialist. It's a tribute to Manny Acta -- a true leader of men who has somehow managed to restore this team's focus and purpose...and to unlikely players like Wil Nieves, who have now stepped up and made a difference. We're far from .500 and even farther from the top of the NL East, but I feel I can renew -- without fear of laughter -- my preseason prediction that this team will finish with at least 83 wins and will be playing meaningful baseball, with playoff implications, in September. LNF

PS: A special shout-out to Bill McCaffrey, another proven leader of men and a sports journalist with the courage to speak truth to power. Thanks for sending your columns along, Bill, and for adding to what is already an exceptional community newspaper in St. Mary's Today!

Len, Thank you! The Nats are 8-2 in their last ten games and are doing a great job. Bill

Bill, Don't know if you are interested, but one of our local girls softball teams, Chesapeake High School , won a State Championship. Don Collins, a member of my Church's Men's Club, is an assistant coach for the team. He is a retired Anne Arundel County teacher from the same school. Jerry

Jerry, Thanks for the information. Bill

Bill, See you sat at the table with Ritchie Hite. I remember him from when I was a teenager and hanging around Stanton Park . He was good friends with another friend of mine, the late Bernie Shipley who gave Ritchie the nickname, Rat Tooth. I wonder if he remembers that. I went to school with Ritchie's sister, Ruthie. She was a year or two ahead of me. I think we had chemistry class together at Eastern. Marlene

Marlene, Good report, I worked at C&P with Ruthie. Bill

Bill, Just a rundown of the names that I remember of my Emanon sorority sisters at Roosevelt , 1950-1953 in the photos on your website. There were cheerleaders Janet Bruchie Wallace, Joan Lyon Harris, Iva Lea Shaffer Volkmer, Katherine (Kitty) Robinson. Other Emanoners were Nancy and Janet Crow, Elsie Robinson Dick, Shirley Hudgins Smith (Billy, now deceased) Vinceguerra, the late Wally Hudgins wife, cannot remember her name now, Jackie Harding, Patsy Loveless, Carol Marks, Trudy and Ardie Smith (where are they now???), Ruthie Moreland (sister of Bob Moreland who was red haired Emanoner Dolly's (forgetting her last name) steady, Lillie Mae Baxter, Barbara Richter Wright (the late Bill Wright's first wife now remarried), Judy Martin, Shirley Boardman, who was Terry Maher's first wife, now deceased. Perhaps s omeone else can remember some more names. Dale

SPORTS NOTES

New Britain Rock Cats third baseman/outfielder Luke Hughes has been selected as the winner of the Eastern League Player of the Month Award for the month of April. Connecticut outfielder Ben Copeland is the winner of the Bank of America Eastern League Player of the Week Award and Bowie right-hander Julio Manon is the winner of the Bank of America Eastern League Pitcher of the Week Award.

Our deepest sympathy goes to the families of the following:
William John Perkins Sr. (graduate of Eastern (DC) HS.
Doris Lucille Davis Mitchell (taught at Hart, Alice Deal and MacFarland Junior High Schools)
Joanne Trumbule (graduate of Northwestern HS)
John B. Umhau Jr. (Coolidge (DC) HS grad)
Dennis Lee Soiberman (Blair HS grad)
Mayor Thomas A. Cardinale (Mayor of Berlin, Maryland)
Andrew Betz Blake (Central (DC) HS grad)
Mary Boarman (graduate Elizabeth Seton HS, Democratic party activist)
George Lee Cary, Jr. (Theodore Roosevelt (DC) HS grad)
Buzzie Bavasi (Former GM of LA and Brooklyn Dodgers and President/GM of San Diego Padres)
Hugh Burgess (Former Delegate from Howard County)

USA girls All-American third team basketball selection Lynetta Kizer, a 6?3? center is headed to the University of Maryland . I wonder where they are: Judy Hurst, Pat Quinn, Sophia Frank, Marian Diehl, Joan Dorsey, Joan Linton, Joan Green (Natalie Blackstone Barry?s sister), Emil ?Oats? Ashe, Richard Holmes, Ginger Foster, Rita Korn, Janet Kushner, Sandy McGregor, and Virginia Duke Jacobs?

I don?t think anyone can beat "Big Brown" in the Preakness.

More trouble for MDOT/ MTA wheels cracking on the MTA cars (isolated incidents?). I am sure when is the Governor going to wake up and see he needs a new MDOT Secretary and MTA Director. Where is John Agro, Lisa Dickerson, Beverly Hill and Charles Grant when you need them?

MDOT took the biggest hits in Annapolis in the recently completed General Assembly. Our report is coming and I know it will upset some of you, in advance I think you have to give the following high marks:
Governor Martin O'Malley *, Senate President Mike Miller, House Speaker Michael Busch, Ways & Means Chairperson Sheila Hixson, Derrick Davis, Jim Proctor, Roy Dyson, Ed DeGrange, and Norman Conway plus I'll have more in my next report.

I think the Governor *, President and Speaker kept things under control. The only thing I disagree with them on is taking the bingo parlor machines out. Tax them, taking them out is going to hurt Anne Arundel County causing the County to lose revenue at a time when the State is cutting money that had been previously been sent to the Counties.

Also I think a slot license should cost 5 to 10 million dollars and be open to any business that can afford the fee. Right now a selected few fat cats are going to get licenses and that my friends is wrong! Oh well, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, but that doesn?t make it right. Governor O'Malley * did much better this session than he did in the first one.

* Webmaster's retort:
Guvirner MOM is a malfeasant demonrat wonk stoned off his own methane.

Stefanie Pemper is the new Women?s basketball coach at the Naval Academy . She is 4th All-time winningest coach in Division III history. Washington, DC has been approved by the NCAA for a bowl game, rumor has the Naval Academy being the host and playing a different ACC opponent each season. Darnell ?Ding-a-Ling Man? Wilson goes for a boxing title in Germany this month. Baltimore has a new rival as New York City has open the Sports Museum of America, it has 45,000 square feet, 600 artifacts, 1,100 photos and over two dozen interactive exhibits. Sort of dwarfs our Sports Legend and Babe Ruth Museum huh? Is LSU quarterback Ryan Perrilloux headed to College Park ? Had a great TV show this week with Mike Richman, Bruce Bornhart and Grant Paulson. I will have more on this in a later issue.

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