Doves

Western's basketball team has knocked off Catonsville in the regional playoffs four times in the past five years. Although the scores don't look that close, these wins never come easily for the Doves. Wednesday night, the No. 12 Comets led into the second quarter and stayed close into the third quarter before No. 10 Western's depth of talent and uptempo game took over en route to a 57-35 victory in a Class 3A North regional semifinal. The Doves (16-6) will be looking for their fifth straight region crown when they visit Poly, a 69-52 winner over Aberdeen in the other semifinal, in Friday's title game.

Western's basketball team has knocked off Catonsville in the regional playoffs four times in the past five years. While the scores don't look that close, these wins never come easily for the Doves. Wednesday night, the No. 12 Comets led into the second quarter and stayed close into the third quarter before No. 10 Western's depth of talent and uptempo game took over en route to a 57-35 victory in a Class 3A North regional semifinal. The Doves (16-6) will be looking for their fifth straight region crown when they visit Poly, a 69-52 winner over Aberdeen in the other semifinal, in Friday's title game.

Jannah Tucker and Tenicia Spence each scored 13 points to lead four Doves in double figures as the No. 8 Western basketball team beat host Towson, 81-21, in the opening round of the Class 3A North regional playoffs Friday. The Doves' defense limited the Generals to nine field goals. Western plays the Parkville-North Harford winner in Tuesday's quarterfinals. Severna Park 48, Great Mills 45: Maddi Keating and Christina Choi each had 11 points to lead the visiting Falcons (9-11)

After No. 6 Western saw its 18-year winning streak in the Baltimore City championship meet end last month, coach Alicia Williams told her team to keep fighting because it still had chances in the regional and state meets. The Doves followed their coach's advice. They came back to win the region and then beat Damascus by one point Tuesday night for the Class 3A state championship in the title meet at the Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex. This is Western's first indoor state championship.

After No. 6 Western saw its 18-year winning streak in the Baltimore City championship meet end last month, coach Alicia Williams told her team to keep fighting because it still had chances in the regional and state meets. The Doves followed their coach's advice. They came back to win the region and then beat Damascus by one point Tuesday night for the Class 3A state championship in the title meet at the Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex. This is Western's first indoor state championship.

Even though the Mercy and Institute of Notre Dame basketball teams are struggling this season, an estimated crowd of 4,800 at Towson University watches the two teams compete in "The Game." The Magic pulled away in the second half en route to a 45-24 victory in the 44th edition of the annual event. Freshman Aubrey Wetzelberger led the Magic with 14 points. PG 4 Rams end Doves' streak: Digital Harbor defeats Western in the Baltimore City indoor track and field championships, ending the Doves' streak of 18 consecutive titles.

For almost two decades, Western has dominated the Baltimore City indoor track championships. But the No. 5 Digital Harbor girls put an end to the No. 4 Doves' 18-year winning streak Friday at the 5th Regiment Armory, claiming a 131-116 victory. There was also a little history on the boys' side, as Carver won the team title for the first time. The Bears finished with 95 points, beating Edmondson (81). Alyssa McClure, Regina Summerville and Chelsea Walker led the way for Digital Harbor.

Even though the holiday season is over, third-ranked Western found itself in a very giving mood Friday night. Unfortunately for the Doves, Riverdale Baptist was more than willing to take. The Crusaders (13-5) built a 17-6 first-quarter lead and Western never fully recovered, dropping a 78-50 decision in the 14th annual Basketball Academy at Morgan State. The Doves (6-5) committed an uncharacteristic 27 turnovers and shot 10-for-22 from the free-throw line in the loss. "We rushed a lot of our passes, and we could have decreased the turnovers if we'd have come to the ball more," said Western guard Tenicia Spence, who led the Doves with 12 points.

LaShay Taft tried to carry City to victory all by herself Friday night at Western. She made six 3-pointers in the second half and scored 20 of her game-high 26 points in the final two quarters. But Tenicia Spence helped No. 4 Western slow Taft and No. 9 City. Spence came off the bench to make some crucial long-range shots, scoring 11 of her team-high 14 points in the second half as Western hung on for a 60-52 victory in a Baltimore City league game. Spence has a very clear role with the Doves.