After being routed by then-No. 14 Old Mill, 67-54, on Jan. 29 and confirming that his leading scorer, J.J. Hicks, was no longer a member of the team, Broadneck coach John Williams made a promise to his team's parents and supporters.
"It is a tough break, but we're going to recover," Williams said.
In the ensuing game last Friday, Broadneck played with a lot of passion before bowing, 57-56, at Arundel.
"All of our goals that we want to meet that we want to reach this year are still out there to be had," Williams said. "Is it more challenging? Absolutely. We're looking forward to reorganizing, getting ourselves on the right path."
Broadneck (12-4), which fell from No. 8 to No. 13 this week in The Sun's poll, could be tough down the stretch if its performance against Arundel is any indication. Without Hicks, many observers thought the Wildcats would win in a blowout.
Hicks was removed from the team for disciplinary reasons.
Boys basketball -- There is a close race for the top four seeds (who receive first-round byes) in the Class 4A East region, in which eight county schools compete. When the week started, Thomas Stone of Charles County was first at 12-1 (not counting holiday tournaments), followed by Old Mill (11-2), Broadneck (11-3) and Arundel (10-3). North County is fifth at 9-5 along with Severna Park (9-7) in the 10-team regional, while Glen Burnie and Leonardtown of St. Mary's County are 8-6 each.
Arundel football -- All-Metro quarterback Nick Elko and one of his best blockers, guard John MacDonald, will be honored at the 54th Annapolis Touchdown Club banquet a week from today at the Doubletree in Annapolis. Elko will receive the Rhodes Trophy as the county's top player, while MacDonald gets the Al Laramore Trophy as the county's best lineman. Navy and Maryland football will also be honored at the event, and former Baltimore Colt Joe Ehrmann will be the guest speaker. For more information, contact TD Club president Ed Brady at 410-295-7100 or e-mail Brady at ed@fratusbrady.com.
Quick hits -- The No. 14 Severn girls basketball team clinched the top seed in the upcoming Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland B Conference tournament. The Admirals completed a 12-0 regular season with a 43-41 win at Mount de Sales last Friday after a 47-26 romp at John Carroll on Jan. 29. ... The Severn boys of the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association B Conference posted a 63-59 win at Archbishop Spalding of the A Conference on Friday as Ben Montgomery led the Admirals (11-8) with 14 points over the Cavaliers (5-11).