Second Shot

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Melvin Whitaker came here a little more than two years ago as a promising basketball player with hopes of making a name for himself at the University of Virginia. He accomplished that, though not the way he planned.Whitaker left this college town last week without having attended a class or played in a game for the Cavaliers. He left not as a transfer from Virginia, but as a transfer from the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail.And he wasn't going yet to Mount St. Mary's College, the school Whitaker committed to in March and hopes to play for next season, but to the Southampton Correctional Center, a medium-security facility in southeastern Virginia.

Gov. Parris N. Glendening, a passenger aboard the Coast Guard cutter Northland, had to be a fast learner yesterdaybefore he could fire the Whitbread starting gun."I'm going to get the weapons guy up there to show him how to do it," said Cmdr. Beverly Kelley, the ship's top officer, as she stood in the receiving line to greet the governor and other dignitaries. "He's going to have to get it real quick."And he did, receiving his certification -- an official letter signed by him and by Kelley and required for anyone who does a job on board -- just moments before he joined four costumed "Coasties" on the forward deck.

CONCORD, N.H. -- Freakish summery heat is turning nearby snowbanks to water as Sen. Bob Kerrey, in shirtsleeves, mingles with New Hampshire Democrats at an outdoor reception."

First Night Annapolis is loaded with magicians, dance troupes and classical performers, but every year a band with a slightly harder edge slips in.This year that band is Love Riot.Competing against a dozen folk artists, three dance troupes, seven variety acts and a group of classical musicians, Love Riot is widely known for its dynamic rock melodies and passionate lyrics.It has been playing among Baltimore's basement bands and club performers for several years. Unlike most of them, Love Riot has managed to rise above the local scene, gaining national attention with its debut album last season, "Maybe She Will."

BETHESDA -- Tom Lehman tried hard to index all his thoughts as his second shot on the 17th hole of the final round of the U.S. Open plopped into the lake yesterday."

No. 9, which measures 605 yards, is what the pros call a "three-shot" par-5. It's fronted by a ravine that discourages all but the longest hitters from even considering a try to reach the green in two shots. Dennis Trixler found a way to solve the lay of the land.In order to take advantage of the wide landing area 230 yards out, Trixler hit a 5-wood from the tee. He used the same club for his second shot, which left him 122 yards to the pin. He then hit a pitching wedge that landed two yards short of the hole and bounced in. It was the only eagle of the first round.

Warrants have been issued for three New York men in what police say was the drug-related fatal shooting of a Harford County man last month.Dana Antwan Newton, 24, of the 3100 block of Laurel View Drive in Abingdon was found April 2 with a gunshot wound to the head as he lay in the hallway of the building in the 1900 block of Edgewater Drive in Edgewood. He died at Maryland Shock Trauma Center.Charged recently with murder in the shooting are Queens residents Elsworth J. Tavernier, 21, also known as Dumont; Dakim Mason, 20, also known as Shi-Kim; and Altonia "Al" Henderson, 21. They remain at large.

Severna Park's Dana Cappello drew the tough defensive assignment last night -- try to contain Annapolis ace Kelly Dirks.Dirks, a junior All-Metro attacker, entered the game with 37 goals, averaging four per game. But the Panthers relied on her a little too much last night.On the other hand, Cappello had plenty of help from her teammates and held Dirks to just two goals, both on free positions. The No. 7 Falcons' precision-passing attack did the rest as the hosts defeated No. 6 Annapolis, 7-3.The victory gives the Falcons (8-1)

Severna Park's Dana Cappello drew the tough defensive assignment last night -- try to contain Annapolis ace Kelly Dirks.Dirks, a junior All-Metro attacker, entered the game with 37 goals, averaging four per game. But the Panthers relied on her a little too much last night.On the other hand, Cappello had plenty of help from her teammates and held Dirks to just two goals, both on free #F positions. The No. 7 Falcons' precision-passing attack did the rest as the hosts defeated No. 6 Annapolis, 7-3.The victory gives the Falcons (8-1)

Atholton's Chris Russ likes to fish for bass at Rocky Gorge Reservoir near his home.One of the things he thinks about during those fishing expeditions is winning a state baseball championship.He came close last season -- pitching the Class 3A state championship game, but losing a heart-breaker to Bel Air, 3-2.Atholton has the kind of team this season that has a shot at getting that far again, and Russ is one of the key ingredients.The 6-foot-2, 165-pound senior left-hander elicits nothing but respect from opposing players and coaches -- and for good reason.