Nicole Spencer

No one knew exactly how Nicole Spencer would feel about going to the National Aquarium. The staff at the Maryland School for the Blind felt certain that the other students -- sunny, easygoing Glenn, Danny the chatterbox, and inquisitive Michael -- would love the experience. They could listen to dolphins squeak and splash. They could hear a tour guide describe the graceful, floating movements of sting rays. They could ask if a turtle would bite before they reached out to touch its shell.

No one knew exactly how Nicole Spencer would feel about going to the National Aquarium. The staff at the Maryland School for the Blind felt certain that the other students -- sunny, easygoing Glenn, Danny the chatterbox, and inquisitive Michael -- would love the experience. They could listen to dolphins squeak and splash. They could hear a tour guide describe the graceful, floating movements of sting rays. They could ask if a turtle would bite before they reached out to touch its shell.

South Carroll High School recently presented scholarships and awards to graduating students.The recipients are:* Outstanding Students of the Year: Tom Lapato and Nicole Spencer.* Carroll Community College Commissioners' Scholarship: Bonnie Borland.* Carroll County General Hospital Nursing Scholarships: Carli Benham and Sarah McGinley.* Carroll County Reading Council Scholarship: Bonnie Borland.* Freedom District Lions Club Scholarships: Kim Green and Greg Vlahos.* Freedom District Lioness Club Scholarship: Kim Jenkins.

South Carroll High School recently presented scholarships and awards to graduating students.The recipients are:* Outstanding Students of the Year: Tom Lapato and Nicole Spencer.* Carroll Community College Commissioners' Scholarship: Bonnie Borland.* Carroll County General Hospital Nursing Scholarships: Carli Benham and Sarah McGinley.* Carroll County Reading Council Scholarship: Bonnie Borland.* Freedom District Lions Club Scholarships: Kim Green and Greg Vlahos.* Freedom District Lioness Club Scholarship: Kim Jenkins.

It was North Carroll's finely tuned volleyball machine against an extremely talented Nicole Spencer and South Carroll last night.Spencer put on a show with some blistering kills for points and several beautiful saves of what appeared to be certain North Carroll points off kills.But she couldn't overcome a superb all-around effort by the 10th-ranked Panthers who rolled to their fourth straight victory with a 15-3, 15-6, 15-13 decision over the Cavaliers at North Carroll.No one expected North Carroll (5-1 overall, 5-0 in the Central Maryland Conference, 1-0 in the county)

Nicole Spencer never lost that spark in her eye no matter how tough the knee rehabilitation got last spring and summer.The South Carroll junior standout wanted to believe she would play basketball again and play it well. At least she had history on her side in her battle against a torn anterior cruciate ligament.Twenty-six years ago, her father, Dave Spencer, went down with the same knee injury in a game for Mount Airy High against Waynesboro, Pa.A strong 6-foot-5 junior at the time, he came back to have an outstanding senior season as a scorer (15.5 points a game)

South Carroll first-year coach Al Skierski promised an up-tempo style from his young Cavaliers this season.Last night in Winfield, his Cavaliers were on the ones on the receiving end of pressure defense as defending Class 2A champion Hammond rolled to a 61-38 victory in its season opener.Four quick South Carroll turnovers resulted in a 6-0 lead for Hammond. That set the tone as Hammond's constant pressure forced 32 South Carroll turnovers.The Cavaliers fell to 1-1 on the season."We showed some good hustle and our transition game is coming," Hammond coach Joe Russo said.

After 15 years of methodical, half-court offense and tight, conservative defense under former coach Ruth Lampert, the South Carroll Cavaliers are trying something new under first-year coach Al Skierski."

Danielle Arnold, North Carroll, Sr. -- A first-team All-County choice in 1992, she's a do-it-all player. At 5 feet 5, she's the team's best server and finished second on the squad in hitting last year.Melissa Gettemy, South Carroll, Jr. -- A versatile performer who is among the Cavs' top hitters and setters, Gettemy will play a major role in the team's chances of a successful campaign. Coach Debbie Barnes says Gettemy brings plenty of enthusiasm and personality to the court.Kristen Haga, Westminster, Sr. -- Coach Karol Brown would like to see Haga turn into a dominant net player this season.

Despite a furious fourth-quarter rally by Howard, South Carroll saddled the visiting Lions with their first loss of the season last night, 62-59.Aggressive rebounding and scrappy defense allowed the hosts to pounce on Howard (3-1) early, and the Cavaliers (3-1) forged ahead by as much as 45-22 midway through the third quarter. However, it was a lack of the skills they used to grab their lead that nearly came back to haunt them.From the beginning of the fourth quarter until a turnaround basket by Molly Cage with 1 minute, 30 seconds left made the score 59-53, Howard outscored South Carroll, 19-6, including four points in less than 30 seconds from forward Mona Jackson (12 points, 10 rebounds)

Only 42 seconds remained at Westminster last night before the South Carroll Cavaliers were able to remove their starters, something that has become more and more common of late this season.It could almost be considered a compliment to a very good Owls team that did all it could last night to disrupt the Cavaliers.The No. 6 Cavaliers had too many weapons and all the right answers in their 71-58 win over a Westminster team that was coming off a big win against Linganore on Tuesday.It was the 19th straight win for the Cavs, who haven't lost since their opener against No. 2 Hammond on Dec. 5.Nicole Spencer (18 points)

FREDERICK -- The thought going in was the chase for the Central Maryland Conference crown would be a three-, maybe, four-team race.All along, the South Carroll Cavaliers have had other ideas.The No. 7 Cavs continued to run away from the rest of the field last night, coming away with a 82-56 win over Thomas Johnson.It was the 16th straight win for the Cavs, who improved to 8-0 in conference play and set a school record for points scored.The Cavaliers (16-1) took a 42-29 lead into the half and the Patriots (9-8, 3-4)

Nicole Spencer, the Carroll County Girls Basketball Player of the Year last season, said yesterday she will enroll at Brigham Young University this fall and attempt to make the women's basketball team as a walk-on."

Who is the best girls basketball team in the county?It's a two-part equation, and the first will be answered tonight when the Westminster Owls travel to South Carroll to face the Cavaliers.The Owls, ranked 13th and the defending county champions, are coming off their first loss of the season -- 76-59 at Linganore on Friday -- after opening with 10 straight wins. No. 9 South Carroll has won 11 straight since opening the season with a loss to No. 2 Hammond. The Owls and Cavs -- head and shoulders above the rest in the county this season -- will meet again at Westminster late in the season.

In the end, South Carroll had too many offensive and defensive weapons and too much hustle for 10th-ranked Howard and Mona Jackson.The 12th-ranked Cavaliers girls basketball team parlayed all those assets into a 56-50 victory over the Lions last night at South Carroll.At the start of the game, it was the inside game of Ce Wagner (15 points, 8 rebounds) and Nicole Spencer (9 points, 10 rebounds) that carried South Carroll, and down the stretch, it was the leadership and shooting of Amber Clutter and the all-around hustle of Melissa Gettemy that sparked the home team.

In the end, South Carroll had too many offensive and defensive weapons and too much hustle for 10th-ranked Howard and Mona Jackson.The 12th-ranked Cavaliers girls basketball team parlayed all those assets into a 56-50 victory over the Lions last night at South Carroll.At the start of the game, it was the inside game of Ce Wagner (15 points, 8 rebounds) and Nicole Spencer (9 points, 10 rebounds) that carried South Carroll, and down the stretch, it was the leadership and shooting of Amber Clutter and the all-around hustle of Melissa Gettemy that sparked the home team.

Despite a furious fourth-quarter rally by Howard, South Carroll saddled the visiting Lions with their first loss of the season last night, 62-59.Aggressive rebounding and scrappy defense allowed the hosts to pounce on Howard (3-1) early, and the Cavaliers (3-1) forged ahead by as much as 45-22 midway through the third quarter. However, it was a lack of the skills they used to grab their substantial lead that nearly came back to haunt them.From the beginning of the fourth quarter until a turnaround basket by Molly Cage with 1 minute, 30 seconds left made the score 59-53, Howard outscored its opponent, 19-6, including four points in less than 30 seconds from forward Mona Jackson (12 points, 10 rebounds)

The showdown for the Carroll County girls basketball championship last night was a classic.It was the youth, exuberance and aggressiveness of underdog Westminster against the experience, talent and poise of South Carroll.And fittingly it came down to an exciting three-minute overtime before the Owls overcame the Cavaliers for a 63-59 victory at Westminster.The Owls (5-0 in the county, 13-5 overall) ran a relentless fast break last night and they were still racing down the court in overtime against a seemingly tired South Carroll (4-1, 13-6)

Before last night's game against Wilde Lake, South Carroll coach Al Skierski lamented that his team had not been shooting well. In the first quarter, however, it was the Wildecats who couldn't buy a basket.The No. 12-ranked Cavaliers ran up a 14-4 lead over No. 18 Wilde Lake and held on for a 52-41 victory last night at Wilde Lake's River Hill gym."That first quarter when we shot out to the lead gave us a good impetus," said Skierski. "The girls got some confidence, and then it was kind of nip and tuck the rest of the way. Our weak shooting let them get back in."

It was North Carroll's finely tuned volleyball machine against an extremely talented Nicole Spencer and South Carroll last night.Spencer put on a show with some blistering kills for points and several beautiful saves of what appeared to be certain North Carroll points off kills.But she couldn't overcome a superb all-around effort by the 10th-ranked Panthers who rolled to their fourth straight victory with a 15-3, 15-6, 15-13 decision over the Cavaliers at North Carroll.No one expected North Carroll (5-1 overall, 5-0 in the Central Maryland Conference, 1-0 in the county)