Brian O Connor

The night started with Brian O'Connor playing basketball, hitting jump shots in front of a large crowd, helping lead his team to an important victory. It ended with O'Connor in a hospital bed, his chest hooked up to a heart monitor, his doctors concerned whether he'd survive. In between, some of the most trying hours of 17-year-old Brian O'Connor's life played out before him. Hours that, for the moment, have taken one of Howard County's best athletes and turned him into a mere spectator.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Maryland baseball takes the field Sunday seeking a two-game sweep of rival Virginia in the NCAA super regional, and the stakes of Sunday's game, the second of a best-of-three series, are simple. A win by Maryland ends Virginia's season and sends the Terps to their first ever College World Series. A win by Virginia forces a decisive third game Monday afternoon. It's safe to say the Terps are going to go for it today, with coach John Szefc saying it was all hands on deck for his pitching staff.

Both teams have great defenses. Last night, Mount Hebron's match-up zone was a little bit better than Centennial's 2-3 zone.And the Vikings (4-1 overall, 3-0 league), who withstood a two-minute stall by Centennial (3-3, 3-1) at the beginning of the fourth period in addition to a 33 percent (13-for-40) shooting night, emerged as the only county team still undefeated in league play.On a clutch shot by Jonny Norman with 17 seconds left, and four steals in the final four minutes, Mount Hebron edged the visiting Eagles, 41-40.

The night started with Brian O'Connor playing basketball, hitting jump shots in front of a large crowd, helping lead his team to an important victory. It ended with O'Connor in a hospital bed, his chest hooked up to a heart monitor, his doctors concerned whether he'd survive. In between, some of the most trying hours of 17-year-old Brian O'Connor's life played out before him. Hours that, for the moment, have taken one of Howard County's best athletes and turned him into a mere spectator.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Maryland baseball takes the field Sunday seeking a two-game sweep of rival Virginia in the NCAA super regional, and the stakes of Sunday's game, the second of a best-of-three series, are simple. A win by Maryland ends Virginia's season and sends the Terps to their first ever College World Series. A win by Virginia forces a decisive third game Monday afternoon. It's safe to say the Terps are going to go for it today, with coach John Szefc saying it was all hands on deck for his pitching staff.

Will Centennial, the defending champion and most fundamentally sound team in the league, be able to hold off the taller, more athletic teams? Coach Jim Hill has a big challenge on his hands. Floor leader Brian O'Connor's outside shooting will be crucial in close games.

Baseball Blue Jays: Activated OF Shannon Stewart from 15-day DL. Optioned OF Andy Thompson to Triple-A Syracuse. Brewers: Placed P Jim Bruske on 15-day DL. Purchased contract of P Hector Ramirez from Triple-A Indianapolis. Marlins: Placed 3B Mike Lowell on 15-day DL. Recalled IF Chris Clapinski from Triple-A Calgary. Pirates: Optioned P Brian O'Connor to Double-A Altoona. Horse racing Belmont Park: Suspended jockey Norberto Arroyo Jr. for 10 days. College Boston College: Named Nigel Bentley women's tennis coach.

On December 4, 2005, JOHN "Jack" M. WALSH, JR. beloved husband of Bettylou Walsh (nee Bromwell), devoted father of Nora and her husband Ron Kellner, Vicki and her husband David Wesolowski, John Michael Walsh III and his wife Denise, Kathy and her husband Bill Vasilakis, Kelly and her husband Mike Loehmer, Colleen and her husband Brian Hyde, Tammy and her husband Eric Dye, dear brother of Donald Walsh and his wife Pearl, Marie Ann and her husband Samuel...

Baseball Angels: Exercised the option on P Troy Percival for the 2002 season. Braves: Did not renew contract of hitting coach Merv Rettenmund. Indians: Named Karl Kuehl special adviser to baseball operations and Gary Tuck major-league scout. Pirates: Waived P Brian O'Connor and IF Mendy Lopez. Reds: Signed P Jared Fernandez to a minor-league contract. Rockies: Named Jim Wright pitching coach. Basketball Bucks: Signed C Ervin Johnson to a two-year contract extension. Cavaliers: Waived G Anthony Goldwire and C Trevor Winter.

Minor leagues Yesterday Triple-A International League Rochester 2, Pawtucket 1: John Stephens struck out 11 over seven strong innings to help the host Red Wings edge the Red Sox. Stephens (2-2) allowed one unearned run, three hits and two walks. Lee Marshall pitched a scoreless ninth to notch his second save. Brian Roberts and Izzy Molina each had an RBI for Rochester, which is 6-1 against Pawtucket this year. Juan Diaz's RBI single provided the only run for the Red Sox, who have dropped four straight.

Both teams have great defenses. Last night, Mount Hebron's match-up zone was a little bit better than Centennial's 2-3 zone.And the Vikings (4-1 overall, 3-0 league), who withstood a two-minute stall by Centennial (3-3, 3-1) at the beginning of the fourth period in addition to a 33 percent (13-for-40) shooting night, emerged as the only county team still undefeated in league play.On a clutch shot by Jonny Norman with 17 seconds left, and four steals in the final four minutes, Mount Hebron edged the visiting Eagles, 41-40.

Oakland Mills has had some horrifying moments in Centennial's gym in past seasons, so the No. 20-ranked Scorpions didn't take last night's game lightly despite the young Eagles' mediocre record.The Scorpions sank five three-point baskets in the first half, breaking down Centennial's zone defense and eventually scoring a 73-55 victory that was closer than the final score indicated.Oakland Mills (12-3 overall, 10-1 league), the Howard County league leader, again relied heavily for offense on its 6-foot-5 forwards, Anthony Breland (25 points, 13 rebounds)

Call it a role reversal. Call it a head turner. Or, if you prefer, just call it a good old-fashioned thumping. Anyway you slice it, Centennial's 73-53 win over No. 20 Long Reach yesterday was pretty darn impressive. Less than a month after being beaten by 20 points on the Lightning's home floor, Centennial returned the favor in its home gym, turning a 34-30 halftime lead into a 20-point runaway. Eagles seniors Scott Kincaid and Brian O'Connor combined for 45 points and helped Centennial pull to within one game of Long Reach in the league race.