It isn't very often that Oakland Mills standout Miriam McKenzie is caught off guard on the basketball court, but that was the case in the fourth quarter of Thursday's 45-32 win over Glenelg.
After McKenzie made a free throw, the game was halted as the senior guard became the school's all-time leading scorer. McKenzie surpassed 2001 graduate Rayna DuBose and, with her 29 points Thursday, has 1,600 in her four years.
When the game was stopped, Scorpions coach Seth Willingham gave McKenzie a framed jersey.
"I was kind of clueless. The shot clock went off and I was all confused. I didn't know what to think, but the game was still close, so I was still worried about that," said McKenzie, who is averaging 27 points and 12 rebounds this season.
River Hill football -- McKenzie wasn't the only person in the county to be surprised at receiving an award last week, but River Hill football coach Brian Van Deusen should be used to it by now. Van Deusen, who led the No. 1 Hawks (14-0) to the Class 2A state title in the fall, was named 2007 Mideast Coach of the Year for football by the National Federation of State High School Associations. The Mideast region also includes Delaware, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Van Deusen, who was named The Sun's Metro Coach of the Year, is a finalist for the National Coach of the Year, which will be announced March 1. "It's certainly exciting for the program any time you receive an honor like this," Van Deusen said. In eight seasons, Van Deusen, 33, is 75-18 and has led the Hawks to the playoffs the past four years. He said continuity within his coaching staff, which has remained intact throughout, has been a big part of the team's success. "When you receive an honor like this, it's largely due to having a good coaching staff," he said. "The offseason training also is big. We try to get the kids bigger, faster and stronger, and then find an offensive and defensive philosophy that the coaches and kids believe in."
Wrestling -- With five returning champions, Glenelg appears primed to defend its county title at the Howard County Wrestling Tournament Friday and Saturday at Atholton. Dan Bichner will look to become the county's eighth four-time county champion, and Brian Marcoux, Chris Stinnett, Alex Hufnagel and Tim Chase also will try to repeat as champions. A number of teams can challenge Glenelg, with the host Raiders leading the way. Atholton also has a senior-oriented roster led by a strong trio of upper weights in Malcolm Stennett, Mike Santiago and Brian Nance. Oakland Mills, Reservoir, Marriotts Ridge and River Hill also could send wrestlers to the top podium. The tournament will begin at 3:30 p.m. Friday and resume at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, with the championship round tentatively set for 7 p.m.