Editor’s note: This is the first installment in a six-part series compiled by staff writer Tim Koelble looking back at some of the biggest local, regional and national stories of 2012.

JANUARY

1 - Texas Christian beats Wisconsin 21-19 in Rose Bowl to finish season 13-0.

3 - In boys basketball, North Hagerstown beats Williamsport 65-56. … In girls hoops, Iman Scott scores 30 points to lead North Hagerstown over Williamsport, 46-28.

6 - Penn State hires Bill O’Brien as head football coach.

7 - In wrestling, host North Hagerstown has three individual champions and finishes second in Hub Cup.

8 - St. Maria Goretti’s boys basketball team edges Loyola 54-53 to end its 47-game losing streak in the Baltimore Catholic League.

9 - Former Cincinnati Reds shortstop Barry Larkin is voted into Baseball Hall of Fame. … Alabama beats LSU 21-0 for BCS title.

11 - South Hagerstown’s Tayana Stewart scores 26 points to lead Rebels’ girls over Clear Spring, 79-23.

13 - In boys basketball, North Hagerstown downs Clear Spring 60-47 and South Hagerstown beats Brunswick, 58-39.

14 - In wrestling, James Buchanan wins the Rebel Duals. … Saint James’ Obi Enechionyia has a third straight triple-double with 15 points, 15 rebounds and 10 blocks in a 75-72 win over St. Mary’s Ryken in boys hoops.

16 - In men’s hoops, Hagerstown Community College loses rivalry battle to Allegany College, 86-78.

17 - In boys basketball, Devon King scores 26 points to lead South Hagerstown past Frederick, 67-59.

18 - In wrestling, North Hagerstown blows out South 60-15 for 20th straight win over Rebels.

19 - In boys basketball, South Hagerstown beats North, 66-50.

20 - In indoor track & field, Boonsboro’s girls and Williamsport’s boys win team titles at county championships.

21 - HCC women beat Howard 61-58 for coach Marlys Palmer’s 600th win.

22 - New England wins AFC championship, 23-20. … Joe Paterno dies at age 85.

24 - In boys basketball, Smithsburg’s Trent Springs scores a career-high 31 points in a 72-57 win over Williamsport.