Down The Stretch

Every time it looked like host and top-ranked Mount St. Joseph was going to pull away from No. 7 and previously unbeaten Loyola in Irvington last night, the visiting Dons would make a stop or hit a three-pointer to stay in it. In the end, the host Gaels prevailed, 50-42, despite a bad night at the free-throw line, especially in the final quarter when they made only 10 of 17. The win left the Mount (12-1 overall) 3-1 in the Baltimore Catholic League and 4-1 in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference.

Irish Prince certainly looks ready to assume the throne in timber racing. The New Zealand-bred gelding fended off several serious challengers yesterday and climbed to the lead in money winnings among timber horses over injured Salmo by rallying to beat Bubble Economy by a little more than a length in the $25,000 Ski Roundtop Stakes at Shawan Downs. Trainer Jack Fisher threw nearly everyone but the stable pony at Irish Prince by running four horses in the race, but settled for second, third and fourth on a gorgeous afternoon in Baltimore County.

CINCINNATI BENGALS Ahmad BrooksLinebacker Learning the ropes When Virginia linebacker Ahmad Brooks was selected in the third round of last year's NFL supplemental draft, most figured that the Cincinnati Bengals were taking a flier on a player whose promising college career ended abruptly after he was dismissed by Cavaliers coach Al Groh after his junior year in Charlottesville. The plan to bring Brooks along slowly changed during his rookie year when middle linebacker Brian Simmons missed four games in five weeks.

College Park -- Sophomore Alex Jackson dropped in two from the line with a minute left in the game and then made a put-back with 30 seconds on the clock to give Randallstown a four-point lead and ultimate 65-60 win over Fairmont Heights of Prince George's in last night's Class 2A state final at Comcast Center. "It's Alex's first year with us as a sophomore and he's worked hard to learn our system," said Rams coach Kim Rivers of Jackson, who tied Kim English for team-high scoring honors with 17 points each.

How often in life do we willingly buy something that is as likely to break as not and that depends on eight other functioning entities for its success? Does this sound like a good bet? Well, as fantasy baseball owners, we don't have much choice, because the rules say we must carry nine pitchers. But, boy, are they maddening. Just when you develop an unhealthy affection for Mark Prior or Francisco Liriano, arm surgery comes a calling. Or just when C.C. Sabathia seems to be peaking, poor defense and run support conspire to hand him a 12-11 record last season.

The All-Metro, Division I-bound duo of Donte Greene and Malcolm Delaney led a crucial 12-0 run late in the final period that led top-ranked Towson Catholic to a 71-58 victory at No. 3 St. Frances in front of an overflow crowd last night. St. Frances (17-6), which trailed the entire game, pulled even at 57 on two free throws by Desmond Thomas with 4:18 remaining. That seemed to inspire the Owls (20-3). "You've got to be able to raise your level of play, and we were very disciplined down the stretch," Owls coach Josh Pratt said.

Danny Orem held a four-point lead over Archbishop Curley senior Steve Kain last night when Mount St. Joseph coach Kirk Salvo signaled for him to go for the rout. The sophomore responded, continually letting Kain to his feet and taking him down en route to scoring seven takedowns in a 17-6 major decision that paced the No. 2 Gaels to a 34-32 Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference dual-meet win over the visiting third-ranked Friars. "When [Salvo] signaled for the optional start, it was time to go for the extra points," said Orem, whose Gaels (8-0, 5-0)

The two teams played like the defending state volleyball champions that they are despite the 3-0 sweep by host and Class 3A Centennial over Class 2A Glenelg. It was the renewal of Howard County's fiercest rivalry last night in Ellicott City. Two-time defending champion and top-ranked Centennial virtually clinched a berth in the Nov. 1 Howard County championship match by beating No. 3 and slumping Glenelg, 25-23, 25-19 and 27-25. Seeking its county all-time best 15th title, the Eagles (11-0)

Programs of faded glory like Missouri and Washington are trying to regain prominence while traditional weaklings like Rutgers and Wake Forest have emerged as the season enters its league races. The Tigers and Scarlet Knights, both 4-0, enter this weekend as the 25th and 23rd ranked teams in the country, respectively. Meanwhile, the 4-0 Demon Deacons and 3-1 Huskies are on the cusp of a spot in the poll. Washington and Wake Forest went a combined 6-16 last year. Missouri and Rutgers made bowl games last year, but neither was expected to climb in the polls this year.

If Dreadnaught and Fishy Advice had known that Ashkal Way was going to sit out the $200,000 John D. Schapiro Memorial Breeders' Cup turf race at Laurel Park, they might have figured one or the other would win. But sitting behind Fishy Advice, saving ground along the rail, was Bastille, a dark brown 4-year-old, who was stepping up in class and who stepped up in a big way, nipping Fishy Advice just before the wire and relegating Dreadnaught to third yesterday....