Last week marked the second Thursday in a row that I found myself at a girls basketball game where the eventual losing team had point guard issues.

Two weeks ago, if you recall, it was the foul trouble of Joppatowne point guard TroiQuay Malloy that played a major part in the outcome, a Aberdeen 14-point win in the battle atop the UCBAC's Chesapeake Division.

This most recent Thursday, it was a contest for control of the Susquehanna Division that pitted visiting Patterson Mill against C. Milton Wright. It was my second chance to see the Huskies, but my first to see the Mustangs.

When I saw Patterson Mill point guard Sam Herman on the bench in a walking boot, I really didn't know what to expect. Herman's just a freshman, but without her the Huskies are not the same team.

Like Joppatowne a week earlier, Patterson Mill was forced to go with plan B, which meant senior Lauren West or freshman Qalea Ismail taking over the ball handling duties.

Neither did a bad job, but having to play out of position at times takes a toll. It didn't look that way from the start as the Huskies rolled to a 15-3 lead over what looked like a pretty uninspired Mustangs squad.

As time wore on, the Mustangs turned things around, somewhat drastically, in the 55-49 come-from-behind win.

So, how much impact did the game have with Herman on the bench? It's hard to say, but like the Joppatowne-Aberdeen battle, there will be a rematch.

And you talk about a sweetheart of a deal, the rematch is scheduled for Valentine's Day at Patterson Mill.

Now, last week I said Malloy from Joppatowne was the best point guard in the county although I had not seen every team. I stick with my statement.

What I did learn at last week's game was this. Ismail, though I don't think she's the best overall shooter, I do believe she has the best shot, from a form perspective. Ismail gets up and has a nice release and follow through. Pretty to watch.

LaKiah Huff at Joppatowne and Nia Alleyne at Aberdeen also have pretty decent shots and both likely have a better percentage of making shots, especially from outside the three-point line.

The fact is this: We have good girls basketball players and teams in Harford County. There are a few other players I have not mentioned, but they are out there and they are quality players.

I have to say also, while at Thursday's game at CMW, it was a crazy half minute or so when every light in the gym went out. Not surprising though, was how many and how quickly the cell phones were lit up across the gym from me.

For some, getting blacked out isn't much fun. It was a bit uncomfortable I have to say, but a credit to everyone there, nobody freaked out and nobody made the problem any worse.

Now, by now everybody knows the Ravens bid for the Super Bowl was cut short in New England. No tears here, but I don't care who you root for, losing like that and to the Patriots can make one feel sick.

I think most of us can agree, go Giants.