Hebron

While visiting classes on the first day of school, new Howard County Superintendent Renee Foose had a pedometer strapped to her waist as part of a systemwide program for employees that emphasizes health. By midmorning, she had already logged tens of thousand of steps, canvassing hallways, classrooms, weight rooms, media centers and cafeterias of the system she took over in July. "This is like a kid waking up on Christmas morning. That's exciting," said Foose, who joined other local, state and elected officials in ushering in the first day of the academic calendar year for many jurisdictions.

As the high school volleyball season begins in the Baltimore area, local teams find themselves dealing with an unusual theme -- parity. In previous years, a few squads in the area were always better than the others. Things are different this season, however, with more girls playing club volleyball in the offseason. The talent level has risen dramatically, causing some traditional powers to take a step back and other schools to emerge. In Howard County, perennial contender Centennial -- winner of 14 state championships -- is still one of the best teams, but River Hill, the Class 3A runner-up last year, lost a lot of players.

No. 5 Reservoir softball team relied on its defense again and quieted the Mount Hebron bats in a Class 3A East regional semifinal Thursday. Winner Rachel Brown struck out four and shut out the Vikings, 6-0. The Gators (16-3) have given up one run in the past two playoff games. Reservoir's offense scored single runs in the first and second innings followed by two two-run innings, the third and fourth. Baseball James M. Bennett 6, No. 7 Northeast 3: Brandon O'Malley went 2-for-4 and Eric Grantland doubled in two runs, but the Eagles (16-6)

Mount Hebron midfielder Samantha Brookhart spends 20 minutes of every practice honing her draw control skills and it paid off in a regional final rematch Wednesday night against the Vikings' biggest rival, defending state champion Marriotts Ridge. Brookhart won a handful of draws and her teammates won most of the rest to give the Vikings a huge edge in possession, fueling a 10-8 victory in the Class 3A-2A East girls lacrosse final that spoiled the No. 4 Mustangs unbeaten season.

On a blustery afternoon at Reservoir High on Thursday, unpredictable gusts of wind effected runners' times, and several high profile disqualifications altered the landscape of the meet. In the end, though, the strongest competitors, and teams, won. The Mount Hebron girls carried over their success from the indoor season, led by Michaela Wilkins' four victories. The Reservoir boys, led by Timmy Usher's wins in the 400 meters and 800 meters, took the title on their home track. Usher almost ended the meet with an exclamation point, anchoring the 4x400 relay that at first appeared to break a school record with its first place finish.

Samantha O'Connor was perfect times two. She went five innings and struck out nine to register her second perfect game of the softball season as host No.7 Howard won, 10-0, over Mount Hebron on Thursday. Her first perfect game was a 15-0 win over Centennial on March 28. Taylor McGrann hit the go-ahead run to left field in the fifth inning to invoke the 10-run rule. No. 3 Seton Keough 10, Mercy 0: Winner Robi Zimmerman pitched a six-inning one-hitter and Bridget O'Malley hit a leadoff homer in the fourth inning for the host Gators (9-2)

For all the dodges, slides, groundball pickups and body checks, the most important thing in girls lacrosse is the draw. Control the draw and you can control the game, and that's what Marriotts Ridge did in defeating Mt. Hebron, 12-6, on Tuesday. The victory leaves Marriotts Ridge as the only undefeated team in Howard County league competition, and puts the Mustangs in the frontrunner position to win the county title. Mt. Hebronnow has one county loss. "Draw control is critical, especially with our team," said Marriotts Ridge's Maggie Brooks, who scored four goals . "They were the most important goals I've scored all year.

Children's book author Jerdine Nolen remembers the first time she saw her name in print. As a second-grader, she wrote a Thanksgiving poem that was published in the school newspaper, and she kept her eyes glued to the pink publication while walking home. "It was really a moment to behold to see my name in print," said the special-education teacher at Mount Hebron High School, who has published about a dozen books and picture books. Her latest work, a novel titled "Eliza's Freedom Road: An Underground Railroad Diary," is one of five books nominated for an NAACP Image Award in the category of Outstanding Literary Work — Youth/Teens.

Visiting Loyola lost the lead with less than three minutes to go, and a missed 3-point attempt with two seconds left allowed No. 4 Mount St. Joseph to survive, 46-44, Friday. Kameron Williams led the Gaels (21-4) with 17 points. The Dons (9-11) were ahead 27-20 at the half. No. 6 John Carroll 60, Mount Carmel 52: The host Patriots (20-5) outscored the Cougars 17-5 in the third quarter and hung on to win. Justin Jenifer scored 16 points and Rodney Elliott had 14 for John Carroll, which led 29-18 at the half.

The Howard Lions ice hockey team began its season with an 8-7 win against Mt. Hebron . Two short-handed goals led the Lions to victory. Matt Taylor, Doug Noonan and Konner Ruggles each scored two goals for Howard, while Justin Overstreet and Tyler McCauley had one each. Mt. Hebron's scoring came from Mason Lichliter (two), David Cranston (two), Garrett Smith, David Yacynych and Connor DuBois. The Vikings had the lead with a minute and a half left in the game. David Boudjeda was in net for Howard and turned away 15 shots.