The deadline for submitting sports copy is 9 a.m. on Mondays. We prefer email (howardcountysports@patuxent.com). We do not accept results by phone. When two Howard County teams play, players from both teams (first and last names) must be mentioned in the write-up. Questions? Call 410-332-6578.
Basketball
Western Howard County Force
The Western Howard County Force (U-11 girls) capped their 2011-12 season by winning the Central Maryland Championship. The WHC Force defeated the Columbia Ravens, 28-18.
The Force compiled a 23-8 season record and won 17 of its last 19 games. The team consisted of students from Folly Quarter Middle, Glenwood Middle, St. Louis School, Patapsco Middle, Mt. View Middle and Friendship Elementary.
Members of the team are Justine Birrane, Ava Dennis, Mariel Frith, Ellie Heisig, Kellie Johnson, Hope Morath, Ginika Nwaba, Kaitlyn O'Byrne, Annie Whalen and Alicia Whye.
Soccer
Soccer Association of Columbia
SAC United White Celtic (U-9 boys) opened their CMSSL spring season by defeating Potomac Red, 5-2. The game was tied, 2-2, at halftime. In the second half, Celtic scored three more goals and held Potomac scoreless to win the game.
Columbia Soccer Club
The CSC Storm Runners (U-16 girls) scored three goals in the second half to cement a 4-0 win over crosstown rivals Soccer Association of Columbia United at Rockburn Park.
With the victory, the Storm Runners moved to the top of the Baltimore Beltway Soccer League standings with five games remaining in the season. The loss was United's first in league play.
United, led by goalkeeper Meaghan Hutchison, had not allowed a goal this season, but it did not take the Storm Runners long to break that streak. Midfielder Kate Harkleroad sent the ball behind the United back line to Natalie Chin who outraced the defense and scored on a low liner past Hutchison for a 1-0 lead.
The half ended with the Storm Runners ahead, 1-0, but they would quickly double their advantage early in the second half. Selena Chin made it 2-0 after receiving a crossing pass from the right wing and scored into the side of the net. The Storm Runners struck again when Jonae Queen went down the right wing and scored from outside the box, a shot that was in the back of the net before the United keeper could react. The scoring ended with the Chin twins hooking up as Natalie fed Selena for the final goal.
The Storm Runners' defense, led by Becca Riley, Tory LaFemina, Erica Noppinger and Erica Sadler, limited United to a few shots that were fielded by goalkeeper Elaina Quinn. Jenny Haynes, Katherine MacKie, Carley Noppinger, Christina Kochanski and Lilly Hermina anchored the midfield, controlled the play in the middle for the full 80 minutes.
The front line, led by the Chins and Queen, also featured Makenzie Rynn and Sarah Levin.
