Melanson

Urbana has won four state football titles in the past six years, a fact that's not lost on Loyola's Brady Smith, a Carroll County resident. "Urbana plays in the same conference as the Westminster and South Carroll kids Brady played with in recreation leagues," Jim Smith said of his son, who lives in Finksburg. "Brady's always hearing how great Urbana is. It's a motivator for him." And that made yesterday's 24-6 win all the more sweet for Smith, a junior who hurt Urbana (2-1) - ranked 13th in the state by the Associated Press - for the second straight year.

1. Wilde Lake Last season: 10-1, ranked No. 8 Doug DuVall, the area's winningest coach, pursues a sixth state title with one of his biggest, most talented teams ever. 2. Calvert Hall Last season: 10-1, No. 3 Fleet-footed WR Lemar Williams ranks with the area's best, but can Calvert Hall get him the ball? 3. Hereford Last season: 13-0, No. 2 QB Andy DePaola threw for 11 TDs, and DB Ray Wittlesberger had 11 interceptions for two-time state champs. 4. Loyola Last season: 5-6, unranked OT Matt Sullivan (6 feet 4, 285 pounds)

CollegeMid-Continent Conference -- Suspended Regina Miller, Western Illinois women's basketball coach, two games for an unspecified ethics violation.Kentucky -- Named Calvin Miller assistant football coach.HockeyBuffalo Sabres -- Reassigned LW Viktor Gordiouk and D Dean Melanson to AHL Rochester.Philadelphia Flyers -- Signed G Les Kuntar.Washington Capitals -- Recalled C Jeff Nelson from AHL Portland.

Avery Burns, Severn, forward, senior Caroline Seats, Roland Park, forward, senior Courtney Tomchik, Broadneck, forward, senior Hannah Whiteley, Dulaney, forward, senior Cailie Murphy, Garrison Forest, midfielder, senior Creaghan Peters, Bryn Mawr, midfielder, senior Sydney Peterson, NDP, midfielder, senior Casey Pohlmeyer, Severna Park, midfielder, senior Bailey Johnson, Bryn Mawr, defender, senior...

BasketballNew Jersey Nets: Waived rookie F-G Scotty Thurman, who helped Arkansas to the NCAA championship two seasons ago. Named Steve Albert radio play-by-play announcer.Vancouver Grizzlies: Promoted Stu Jackson to president and general manager.FIBA: Announced the resignation of VP Aldo Vitale.HockeyRochester Americans (AHL): Recalled F Richie Walcott.Los Angeles Ice Dogs (IHL): Traded C Hubie McDonough to Orlando.Dayton Bombers (ECHL): Signed RW Mark McFarlane. Lent D Stan Melanson to IHL Peoria.

•Avery Burns, Severn, forward, senior •Caroline Seats, Roland Park, forward, senior •Courtney Tomchik, Broadneck, forward, senior •Hannah Whiteley, Dulaney, forward, senior •Cailie Murphy, Garrison Forest, midfielder, senior •Creaghan Peters, Bryn Mawr, midfielder, senior •Sydney Peterson, NDP, midfielder, senior •Casey Pohlmeyer,...

VS. MONTREAL CANADIENS* WHEN: Tonight, 7:35.* WHERE: The Forum.* RADIO: WCAO-AM 600.* OUTLOOK: The Capitals (12-4) will face the NHL's top team tonight in the defensive-minded Canadiens (14-4-1), who have won 10 of their last 11. Led by goalies Patrick Roy and Roland Melanson, the Canadiens have allowed just 29 goals in 19 games. The Caps, who are 7-2 on the road this year, haven't had any trouble producing goals, as was evidenced by their 10 in Quebec yesterday. The Canadiens are without Brian Skrudland (knee)

Opponent: Montreal CanadiensSite: The Forum, Montreal, 7:35Radio: WCAO (600 AM), WMAL (630 AM)Outlook: Montreal, which has won 10 of its past 11 games, is led by goalies Patrick Roy and Roland Melanson. C Brent Gilchrist has 5 goals in 19 games after scoring only 6 in 59 games last season. The Canadiens have recalled LW Benoit Brunet from AHL Fredericton and will be without C Brian Skrudland (knee), C Denis Savard (eye) and RW Russ Courtnall (shoulder). The team has allowed only 4 first-period goals in 19 games.

No. 6 Severna Park is going to its 19th state semifinal next week, but with 16:14 left to play in the Class 4A East regional final Thursday night at No. 5 South River, Falcons coach Lil Shelton said she "wouldn't have bet you a nickel" on the possibility. But Shelton - who had told her team at halftime, "The worst thing you can hear on the bus going home is: 'We should have won.' " - saw her Falcons rally from a two-goal deficit to tie it at 3 in regulation and then win on penalty strokes, 3-2, after two scoreless overtimes.

Robert B. Hardiman, a district manager for a Baltimore pest control company and an avid tennis player, died Friday at Johns Hopkins Hospital of heart failure resulting from sepsis. He was 63. Born in Baltimore and raised in Essex, Mr. Hardiman was a 1961 graduate of Kenwood High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in English in 1965 from what is now Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, W.Va. Drafted into the Army in 1965, Mr. Hardiman was assigned to Okinawa for two years in finance and accounting while a member of the Army tennis team.