Vereen

Host Severn qualified for its first appearance in the Maryland Scholastic Association C Conference finals, using a 17-4 third-quarter burst to defeat Anne Arundel County rival St. Mary's, 51-45.Jason Moran scored six of his eight points during the pivotal period on three layups. Jamand Mack scored four of his team-high 10 points during the spree, as he and freshman guard John Vereen (eight points) sparked the defense with two steals each -- all of which led to easy baskets."I think all year long, our defense has been the key. We're not all that good when we just have to play a half-court game," said Severn coach Jim Doyle, whose team has earned its first 20-win season against seven defeats.

Several days ago he was in Amsterdam and yesterday he was in Baltimore, but his heart never moved an inch -- it was always with the children.Entertainer Ben Vereen, long acclaimed for his stage and television work, has devoted much of his time in recent years to children's causes -- he was in Amsterdam working for UNICEF, for example, and in Baltimore to promote voluntarism in local schools and libraries."