Poets

The first conversation Lawrence Smith had with Randy Edsall still resonates in the mind of the veteran Dunbar football coach. “I remember Coach Edsall telling me he wanted to start a pipeline,” Smith said. “I know he's trying to start a pipeline from here to Maryland.” On Wednesday, the first piece of the proverbial Dunbar-to-Maryland pipeline was put in place with the commitment of Poets defensive end Malik Jones . The 6-foot-4, 230-pound rising senior, who also held a scholarship from UTEP, earned his offer from the Terps at camp and committed before leaving College Park.

The new Madden NFL won't be out for a few months but judging from the way Ray Lewis acts on the game's trailer, it's safe to say they've sold at least one. In the minute and a half long trailer, released online this week by EA Sports, Lewis lets loose an impassioned stream of dialogue that's part poetry, part prayer. He doesn't mention the game. But that's kind of beside the point. It opens with soft, somber, piano music -- none of that thumping bass that usually introduces anything selling football.

John Cusack didn't come to Baltimore when preparing to play Edgar Allan Poe in "The Raven. " In fact, he says he's never been here. But when asked whether this city, Boston, Philadelphia, New York or Richmond has dibs on the author's reputation, Cusack, 45, answers without hesitation. "Baltimore!," he said. "Is that even a question?" For Cusack, the only other city that comes close to having a hold on Poe is Boston. After all, he was born there. "But I think people generally would have to concede that Poe is a Baltimore guy," he said.

Baltimore-born poet Adrienne Rich , whose poetry and essays were the foundations of modern feminism, has died at age 82. Here are some tidbits from her life here, as reflected in stories from The Sun: Rich's father, a physician and professor at Johns Hopkins Hospital, used to give her poems to copy, and she was exposed to many of the great poets early in life. She was a member of the Roland Park Country School Class of 1947. In the essay "Taking Women Students Seriously," published in her book" On Lies, Secrets and Silence," she wrote of the school: "We were taken to libraries, art museums, lectures ... given extra French or Latin reading.

Adrienne Rich, one of the country's most honored and influential poets, whose finely tuned verse explored her identity as a feminist, a lesbian and an agent for political change, died Tuesday at her home in Santa Cruz, Calif. She was 82. She died of complications from rheumatoid arthritis, said her son, Pablo Conrad. In more than 60 years as a published poet, Ms. Rich examined the evolving lives of women in modern society and embodied many of those changes herself. She was a precocious child of a privileged Baltimore family, then a young wife and mother, and later dedicated herself to the ideals of feminism.

In his fifth season coaching at his alma mater, Jones guided the Poets' storied program back to the top of the area rankings. Finishing 24-3, Dunbar won the Baltimore City Division I championship for the first time since 2004 and captured a third consecutive Class 1A state title. With the 60-36 victory over New Town in the final, Dunbar tied Allegany for the most state crowns with 14 and Jones earned his 100th win. After opening the season with 13 straight wins, the Poets went on a midseason skid, losing three of five games.

The 5-foot-9 senior forward led the No. 4 Poets to their second straight state Class 1A championship with a pair of dominating post performances, including 33 points and 15 rebounds in the 50-42 title-game victory over Western Tech. She also had 30 points and seven rebounds in an 84-43 semifinal win over Kent County despite sitting out 14 minutes after picking up two early fouls. In two years at states, Wright has averaged 32.3 points - which may be the highest four-game average in state tournament history.

The level of interest Morgan State had in Donte Pretlow was never in doubt. For more than a year, members of the Bears coaching staff have seemingly been tracking the Dunbar point guard's every move. “They have been involved with him for awhile,” said Poets coach Cyrus Jones . “I would say they came around last year and really took an interest after that. They followed him last summer when he played AAU with Nike Baltimore Elite. It just continued during his senior year.” Pretlow rewarded Morgan's loyalty and persistence last week with his commitment.

With less than a minute left in Saturday's Class 1A state championship game at UMBC, a Dunbar fan held up a sign reading "Lady Poets Pride. " Shortly thereafter, the Poets had plenty to be proud of, winning their second consecutive state championship by defeating Western Tech, 50-42. The Wolverines made a game of it in the fourth quarter, but the Poets' first-half defense and second-half inside-outside offense were just too much. Senior Michelle Wright - as she has all season - led the Poets (20-6)

COLLEGE PARK -- Success at Comcast Center has simply become old hat for the Dunbar boys basketball team. But Saturday afternoon, after an impressive 60-36 win over New Town produced a third straight Class 1A state championship, the No. 1 Poets had much more to celebrate. They joined Allegany as having the most titles in state history with 14, and they accomplished the feat in a remarkable season that resembled the storied program's past. With their trademark team defense and balanced approach on offense, the Poets (24-3)