Loch Raven

Whether teammates needed help developing their skills or just a few words of encouragement during a particularly challenging practice, Western Tech's Geraldine Ezeka and Loch Raven's Ryne Schanberger each were eager to step up. Ezeka often ran behind teammates to offer support if they were struggling with conditioning drills during Western's basketball season. She was also ready to dive for a loose ball in a practice or game, always leading by example. Schanberger, an offensive guard, was dedicated to the summer workout program for Loch Raven's football team, and learned how to punt after the team desperately needed a kicker.

Maryland junior midfielder Katie Schwarzmann (Century), who has 63goals this season, the 10th-highest mark in school history, was named Atlantic Coast Conference Offensive Player on Friday. Boston College attacker Covie Stanwick (Notre Dame Prep) was named Freshman of the Year. Big East: Loyola's Marlee Paton was named Midfielder of the Year and the Greyhounds' Kellye Gallagher was selected as Defensive Player of the Year. Ana Heneberry (Dulaney)

The brackets have been set for the IAAM A Conference girls lacrosse tournament which begins play Friday and culminates in the title game Sunday, May 13 at Stevenson University. Three-time defending champion McDonogh is the top seed and has a first-round bye along with second-seeded Bryn Mawr, third-seeded Maryvale and fourth-seeded Notre Dame Prep. The No. 1 Eagles, whose seniors aim to finish their careers 76-1, begin play on Tuesday vs. the winner of Friday's first-round game between Mount de Sales and Severn.

In answer to Dr. Camay Woodall's concern about the deer population in and around Towson ("Deer problem around Towson is threat to property, and safety" April 18) and his question, "Can archers help with this?" the answer is a resounding, "NO. " Does he want novice, or even "experienced" bow hunters, shooting arrows in the Towson area? Bowhunters have already taken over the recreational activities of hikers, bikers, nature watchers, etc., at Loch Raven by being allowed to hunt for an unbelievable five months out of the year, even when there is full foliage on the trees.

I am writing concerning the letter by Dr. Camay Woodall in the April 18 edition of the Towson Times ("Deer problem around Towson is threat to property, and safety"), concerning the number of deer in the Towson area. I fully agree with Dr. Woodall that the deer population is too large and presents hazards to people's health and the environment. While allowing a limited hunting season in order to cull the population is a good idea, I think there is better, more environmentally-friendly alternative to bring the deer population to a manageable level.

A 36-game losing streak dating to 2005, including an 0-12 season in 2011, had the sophomores on the CCBC-Essex women's lacrosse team considering calling it quits this year. "Last year we didn't win any games," said sophomore midfielder Paige Orpin (Perry Hall Christian). "I think only maybe two of them were close. I wasn't sure if I wanted to play anymore. " Sophomore attacker Alexandra Breslin-Spinnato (Eastern Tech) was similarly frustrated. "It was really hard," she said.

McDonogh's girls lacrosse team extended its winning streak to 55 games with Monday's 18-4 victory at Garrison Forest and moved into fifth place on the Baltimore-area girls lacrosse chart for all-time consecutive victories. The Eagles' run is the nation's longest active girls lacrosse win streak, according to ESPN High School. They earned the top spot on a spring break trip to Florida where they ended Vero Beach's 69-game streak, 15-5.  In most sports, 55 straight wins would put a team a lot higher on their local all-time chart, but not with the girls lacrosse history around here.

As of 9 a.m. Thursday, traffic was slow on the outer loop of I-695 at Loch Raven Boulevard, due to an accident involving two vehicles. Accidents were slowing traffic around Fayette and Front streets in Baltimore City and Fountain Green Road and Henderson Road in Harford County. There were no major delays reported on area transit systems.

Tiersa Winder led No. 3 McDonogh in scoring with 12 points and Danielle Edwards recorded six steals, six assists and six rebounds as the visiting Eagles girls basketball team defeated No. 8 Roland Park, 39-31, on Monday to improve its record to 14-1. McDonogh led the Reds (8-7) at the half 16-13. No. 10 Dunbar 55, Mercy 25: The visiting Poets (9-3) used a balanced attack with nine players scoring, only one in double figures, to defeat the Magic. Mount de Sales 59, Catholic 34: Gabby Cha scored 20 points and Eve Lukowski added 18 to lead the host Sailors over the Cubs.

Dozens of local running enthusiasts greeted the new year bright and early on Jan. 1 by taking part in the Father Time Frolic, a 5-mile road race run that's held annually in the Loch Raven area beginning at 9 a.m. on New Year's Day. Hosted by the Baltimore Road Runners Club, the race winds its way around Loch Raven Reservoir Peerce's Landing on Dulaney Valley Road, to Providence Road, and back. The race is a "predicted time race" - meaning participants are not allowed to wear watches, and winners are determined by those closest to their predicted time.