Dame Prep

Coach Rob Torres was disappointed when his John Carroll girls cross country team finished second in last year's Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference championship run. The Patriots were the defending champions and had two of the area's top runners. But when John Carroll finished second again this year, Torres and the Patriots weren't upset at all. In fact, they were delighted, because John Carroll lost its top three runners from last year but turned in a strong performance at Oregon Ridge Park.

Mount de Sales senior Katy Buck knows what it's like to play against a legend. After yesterday, she knows how to beat one, too. Buck and her Mount de Sales teammates out-hit, out-dug and out-worked second-ranked and previously undefeated St. Paul's, 25-21, 20-25, 25-19, 25-22 to win the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference championship at Roland Park. In the process, the third-ranked Sailors (15-2) ended the IAAM career of Bailey Webster (22 kills, three blocks)

The Notre Dame Prep and Severn girls both used the team concept to win titles in yesterday's Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland championship at Oregon Ridge Park. Notre Dame Prep won its second straight A Conference crown with five runners finishing within 33 seconds of one another on a cold and blustery afternoon. Liz Schiavone (sixth place) was the first Pirate, and Notre Dame Prep then took four of the next six spots for 47 points to beat out No. 9 John Carroll (62). Schiavone finished in 20 minutes, 48 seconds, with teammates Kate Dunseith (eighth, 20:56)

Softball Player of the Year Jordan Eades Franklin Overpowering on the mound as well at the plate, the junior pitcher was a significant part of a record-breaking season for the Indians, who went undefeated in the regular season before winning their first county championship and then claiming the Class 3A North crown. Eades, a second-team selection last year, finished the season 21-1 -- losing for the only time against Atholton in the state semifinals -- and allowed just 10 earned runs with 236 strikeouts in 133 innings.

In a back-and-forth game, Notre Dame Prep came from behind to defeat No. 6 St. Mary's, 10-9, in girls lacrosse. Led by Kelsi Bozel, the Blazers took a 7-2 first-half lead. But the Saints scored seven unanswered goals to take a 9-7 lead in the second half. Bozel had three goals and two assists in the win. Megan Schrum finished with four goals and three assists. No. 3 John Carroll 17, No. 14 North Harford 7 -- Senior Grace Gaeng scored six goals, and three of her Patriots teammates had hat tricks.

Girls track Performer of the Year Kellie Christian Catonsville After a strong sophomore year, Christian was even better this winter. She swept the 300 and 500 at the county meet and then went on to win the 300 at both the Class 3A Central regional and state meets. The junior scored almost half of Catonsville's points at the county meet and helped the Comets make some noise at the regional and state competitions. Coach of the Year Sam Bowen Hereford The Bulls had to deal with the loss of top runner Kristen Malloy, who moved out of town, but Bowen kept focused throughout the winter.

The seedings were announced for the boys basketball state championship tournament Sunday, and the Class 2A North region will feature some of the area's top teams in what figures to be an exciting run to Comcast Center. The region features three teams ranked in the top seven, and four ranked teams overall. No. 3 Randallstown (16-3) earned the No. 1 seed, No. 6 Douglass (17-4) earned the second seed, No. 7 City (19-3) is third and No. 11 Northwestern (13-4) had an unlucky draw, getting the No. 11 seed.

Jessica Zikorus led host Mercy with 10 points yesterday as the Magic ran away with a 56-27 win over St. John's Catholic Prep. The Magic (14-12) will play No. 5 McDonogh tomorrow in the next round of the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference tournament. Institute of Notre Dame will take on No. 1 St. Frances after beating visiting Notre Dame Prep, 58-48. Archbishop Spalding's Allyssa Mann scored 19 to lead the host Cavaliers (15-11) over St. Mary's, 58-40, and into the next round against No. 3 Seton Keough.

McDonogh girls swimming coach Scott Ward said this was a season when his team would have to rebuild. Other coaches in the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland characterize it as simply reloading. Despite losing two All-Americans - Anne-Marie Botek and Kelly Peloquin - and four other swimmers to graduation from last season, the Eagles still captured their fourth straight IAAM championship yesterday at UMBC. McDonogh swimmers had seven first-place finishes in the 11 events for 485 total points and dominated from the beginning.

Tyler Hale scored 19 points and Marah Strickland had 15 to lead visiting Towson Catholic over Roland Park Country School, 65-37, yersterday. The Owls (12-6) extended their 7-4 first-quarter lead by going on a 16-0 run in the second quarter. Towson Catholic led 29-15 at the half and never trailed. No. 5 McDonogh 63, Notre Dame Prep 37 -- Brittany Mallory scored 23 points to lead the visiting Eagles (14-3) past the Blazers (4-12). McDonogh outscored Notre Dame Prep 18-5 in the fourth quarter to break open the game.