The Starfish Classic lacrosse games for former Hammond high school players, will be held on Aug. 2 at Hammond High's turf field. The Classic honors the memory of a classy lady, Gay Petrlik, who died of cancer on May 26, 2013.
A girls game will lead things off at 9:30 a.m. (warm-ups begin at 8:45) and a boys game will follow immediately after. The cost is a modest $15 per person and the event is open to the public.
The event organizers are looking for former high school players to take part in this Classic. Get off the couches, grab your old lacrosse equipment and enjoy playing once again.
The Classic honors the memory of Gay, who was Hammond's first girls lacrosse coach and a Physical Education and Health teacher at Hammond for many years. In truth, Gay Petrlik was much more than a coach and a teacher. She was a mentor and a role model for many of the young people she touched at that school and elsewhere. The money raised from this event will go to a scholarship in her name.
People Tree
The People Tree Cup was established in 1978 for the purpose of recognizing overall excellence in interscholastic sports within the Howard County Public School System.
Points are awarded for each eligible varsity sport, with the county winner receiving 12 points, the second place squad receiving 11, and so on and so forth. Half points are also awarded for ties. Once the school year has been concluded, the People Tree Cup winner is awarded to the school amassing the most total points.
River Hill is this year's winner with a total of 210 points, edging out Mt Hebron by the slimmest of margins (1.5 points). The Hawks have now won this trophy for the past nine years and 13 times overall.
Centennial High School has won the Cup 14 times, the last time in 1998. Oakland Mills has won the Cup four times, Mt. Hebron three times and Glenelg twice.
Badminton tournament
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The Howard County Recreation and Parks Department has expanded the Meadowbrook Athletic Complex in Ellicott City to field eight Badminton courts and will be hosting the First Annual Open Badminton Tournament from August 2-3.
This tournament is open to all players, including residents outside of Howard County. In addition to the normal Men's and Women's Singles and Doubles and Mixed Doubles, events will be held for Juniors as well as for Seniors over 40 years of age.
Football predictions
Since people around the country have begun making predictions for the National Football League's upcoming season, I figured I would join the fun. Now, those who know me best know that my predictions on any subject tend to always be wrong. So keep that in mind when I say that I don't think either the Baltimore Ravens or the Washington Redskins will make the playoffs this year.
The Ravens are attempting to win games without the benefit of an offensive line or a running game. That's not a recipe for success. Last year's offensive line was awful and since the team desperately needed help there, the team drafted defensive players. Huh? With that offensive line, Joe Flacco will set a new record this year for times sacked.
Washington will win more than the three games it did last year, but the team's season rests solely on the relationship between RGIII and Jay Gruden. If things start going downhill, watch out. The good news for the Redskins is that they play in the NFC East division where only Philadelphia poses any real threat. Both New York and Dallas should consider forfeiting games … they are that bad.
If RGIII remains healthy for the entire season, expect the Redskins to pull off some big wins — just not enough, though, to make the playoffs.