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CCBC Essex Women Basketball Ranked 12th After 5-1 Start

– by Rocco Geppi of CCBC-
CCBC Essex Athletics announced on March 26, 2019 that it had hired Mike Seney to be head women’s basketball coach and tasked him to rebuild a program that had been absent for 15 years.

After just three weeks into the regular season, Seney has the Knights sitting at 5-1 and ranked No. 12 in NJCAA Division II with wins over two top 10 teams.

The Knights were also selected as the No. 1 team in the Maryland Juco Athletic Conference – as voted on by the conference head coaches – receiving seven first place votes.

“The fact we are being recognized at such an early point in the season lets the coaches and I know people are taking notice,” Seney said. “Especially those in our conference. That says a lot about the team we have built in a short amount of time.”

CCBC Essex began the season in dominating fashion, defeating Mercer County 109-43 at home.

University of Rhode Island transfer Kasey Gagan finished with a game-high 23 points on 6-of-10 shooting, which included going 4-for-7 from behind the arc. All in just 19 minutes.

Mya Moye – Florida A&M University transfer – scored 19 and freshman Trinity Horton,a grad of Chesapeake High in Essex, had 17 points. Freshman Kobie Scott-Pearson chipped in 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting.

All three came off the bench.

The Knights’ bench play has been deadly so far this season, as they currently average 41.8 points per game.

Horton seems to be Seney and company’s first choice off the bench, averaging 14 points per game as the team’s third leading scorer.

“My coaching staffs and I have had talent in the past, but this is the deepest team I’ve ever coached,” Seney said. “Trinity Horton is a great example of that. She doesn’t need much to get going and we love being able to bring her off the bench. She’s almost a sixth starter. We don’t lose anything with her in the game.”

Essex’s next game came on Nov. 5 at home against Rowan College at Burlington County.

Although the Barons had a better shooting percentage than the Knights (40.7% to 36.1%), the home team picked up an 80-74 win.

The Knights would hit the road next for a pair of games November 8-9 in North Carolina.

Facing ranked opponents for the first time this season, Essex would split the weekend, defeating No. 4 Cape Fear 82-73 and falling to Wake Tech 67-61.

Moye led the Knights against Cape Fear, finishing with 21 points (7-11) and six assists.

Horton (15 points), Gagan (13 points) and freshman Amiyah Holmes (13 points) also finished in double figures.

Horton was one rebound shy of a double-double.

Horton

As a team, Essex shot 45.8% (11-24, 3-pointers) and made 11 more free throws than Cape Fear, despite the home team receiving nearly twice as many opportunities.

Less than 24 hours later, the Knights hit the hardwood to face Wake Tech.

Seney’s Knights led 33-28 at halftime and still had a five-point edge to start the fourth quarter.

Ranked No. 18 at the time, the Eagles outscored Essex 25-14 in the final frame to hand the Knights their first loss of the season.

“I think we got so pumped for fourth ranked Cape Fear the day before that we put so much into that game, coaches included, and we let our foot off the gas against Wake Tech,” Seney said.

Moye led the Knights with 16 points. Although she was just 4-of-20 from the field, she went 6-for-9 at the free throw line.

Less than a week later, the Knights averted losing two in a row and did so in grand fashion with another Top 10 victory.

On Nov. 16, the Knights went west to its sibling campus for the CCBC Catonsville Mixer and faced No. 7 Union County on day one.

CCBC Essex had the top three scorers in the game, as the “receiving votes” Knights upset the Owls in a convincing matter 80-66.

Moye had a game-high 21 points (7-18) and five defensive rebounds and Horton came off the bench to finish with 20 (6-10).

Towson University transfer Aislinn Flynn finished with her first double-double of the season on 15 points and 12 rebounds.

“We couldn’t wait to get back out on the court after that first loss,” Seney said. “We weren’t mentally ready against Wake Tech. We were locked in and ready to go against Union and we didn’t have any real mental lapses.”

On day two of the Catonsville Mixer, the Knights made quick work of Harcum College, sending the Bears back to Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania with a 92-63 defeat.

The Knights again finished with multiple student-athletes in double figures, led by Gagan who had 17 points (5-9), four steals and made 5-of-6 from the free throw line.

Moye finished with 16 points (5-10) and four assists and Horton had 14 (5-14) off the bench.

Although the Bears kept Flynn off the score sheet, she did finish with 10 rebounds (seven defensive) and three blocked shots.

The Knights head to New York this weekend for the Mustangs’ Thanksgiving Classic, hosted by Monroe College (New Rochelle, N.Y.).

On Saturday, Essex plays ASA Brooklyn and takes on host Monroe on Sunday. Tipoffs are scheduled for 6 p.m. and 2 p.m., respectively.

Knights’ fans can watch the action at https://team1sports.com/monroecollege and/or follow the live stats at https://monroecollegemustangs.com/sidearmstats/wbball.

Facts About the Game
* Moye leads Knights with 17.8 points per game She ranks 34th out of more than 500 in NJCAA Division II and had a season-high 21 vs. Cape Fear.
* Gagan is Knights’ second leading scorer at 15.5 points per game…career-high 23 vs. Mercer County…leads team averaging 2.5 steals per game…started all six games
* Horton is Knights’ third leading scorer with 14 points per game. She had a career-high 20 points vs. Union County.
* Flynn leads Knights averaging 11 rebounds per game, which is tied for 23rd out of more than 500 in NJCAA Division II…averaging 2.2 blocks per game, tied 23rd NCAA Division II.

Eastside BCPS Students Selected for All-County Honors Dance Ensembles

BCPS announced that 12 dance students from six eastside Baltimore County public schools are leaping with joy over their latest honor – being named to the BCPS High School and Middle School All-County Honors Dance Ensembles for the 2019-2020 school year.

“We are thrilled to see our All-County ensembles continue to grow and strengthen with the addition of more dance programs in our middle and high schools,” said Sonia Synkowski, BCPS dance resource teacher. “Our teachers and students are truly raising the bar when it comes to high quality arts instruction in our dance programs.”

Both ensembles will be led by Artistic Director Stephanie Powell and will rehearse from January to June 2020 at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology. Throughout the season, they will perform at school system and community events, including the BCPS State of the Schools luncheon at SECU Arena on March 18; the countywide dance festivals at Perry Hall High School on March 27 and at Sudbrook Magnet Middle School at April 2; and a gala concert at Carver Center on June 15.

The ensemble members are:

Middle School All-County Honors Dance Ensemble, 2019 – 2020

Deep Creek Middle School
AaShyah deVries

Golden Ring Middle School
Madison Cosden

Middle River Middle School
Riley Herold

High School All-County Honors Dance Ensemble, 2019 – 2020

Parkville High School
Melody Cole

Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts
Deon Cox
Morgan Strebeck
Justus VanPelt
Armani Woods

Perry Hall High School
Kristine Mae Escoto
Kamryn Evans
Francheska Querol
Tabitha Tamulevich
BCPS offers elementary dance integration programs at eight schools, and dance education programs at the following secondary schools:

Middle Schools
Deep Creek Middle School
Deer Park Middle Magnet School
Dundalk Middle School
Golden Ring Middle School
Franklin Middle School
Middle River Middle School
Pikesville Middle School
Southwest Academy
Stemmers Run Middle School
Sudbrook Magnet Middle School
Windsor Mill Middle School

High Schools
Dulaney High School
Dundalk High School
Franklin High School
George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
Hereford High School
Lansdowne High School
Milford Mill Academy
New Town High School
Overlea High School
Owings Mills High School
Parkville High School
Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts
Perry Hall High School
Pikesville High School

The mission of the BCPS dance education program is to provide quality performance-based instruction with experiences that include perception and response activities with movement, historical, social, and cultural dance forms, creative expression and production, aesthetics, and personal development for a successful lifetime.

Old Mill Ends Parkville’s Season 34-13

Parkville’s magical football season came to an end after a 34-13 loss to Old Mill on Friday night at Perry Hall High School in the 4A State Quarterfinals.

The Knights fell behind early 20-0 in the first half but it appeared Parkville was back in the game after they scored a touchdown before the half.

Then the Parkville defense forced a quick Old Mill three and out and the Knight offense moved the ball down to the Old Mill 38 yard line in the early third quarter. Parkville needed to convert a fourth and two but was stopped. Then Old Mill took over the game.

Old Mill’s defense was all over Parkville

On the next play, Old Mill broke off a 62 yard run touchdown run. Then the Parkville offense turned the ball over on their first plays on their next two possessions. Old Mill was able to score on one turnover and put the game away 34-7 in the third quarter.

Old Mill’s offense rushed for over 200 yards and scored five touchdowns on Friday. Parkville defense was able to force three turnovers, including an interception from cornerback Da’Vaughn Curbeam, but the offense was not able to capitalize until the end of the game.

Noah Hambrick had over 60 yards rushing.

The Knight offense punted on its first three drives. Parkville finally got on the board before halftime after a Jeff Simmons 48-yard kickoff return set up Quarterback Kevin Smith’s 5-yard touchdown. Smith had 41 yards rushing on the night and add a second touchdown run at the end of the game. Running back Noah Hambrick had over 60 yards rushing for the Knights.

The Knights finished the season with an 11-1 record.

Eight Local BCPS schools Earn Instructional Initiative Grants from Education Foundation of BCPS

The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools has announced its newest 21st Century Instructional Initiative Grant recipients.

Fifteen schools and one office earned 17 grants (most around $2,000 each). The total value of the grants is more than $32,500. Grants were awarded in the categories of Arts & Culture, Civic Literacy, Environmental Literacy, Global Awareness and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).

A list of the local recipients and their projects follows:

•Battle Grove Elementary School – Arts on Stage: Stone Soup & Other Stories

•Dundalk High School – Spring Arts Festival

•Dundalk Middle School – Get Me to the Water

•Middle River Middle School –Grade 6 Camp Puh’Tok Environmental Investigations Field Study

•Perry Hall Elementary School – Full STEAM Ahead: Designing a Maker Space

•Perry Hall Middle School – MWEE Independent Research Project

•Stemmers Run Middle School – The Mean Green Stream Cleaning Team

•Sussex Elementary School – Sussex Save the Bay

Each year, The Education Foundation provides schools and offices/departments with an opportunity to apply for instructional initiative grants to fund innovative projects not funded in the school budget. Projects must address an identified need that is aligned with Baltimore County Public Schools’ goals for academics and the school progress plans.The project must have clear measurable objectives, and overall impact and potential for successful implementation.

CCBC Essex Women Soccer Season Ends in Florida

-by Rocci Geppi of CCBC Essex-

The Knights first NJCAA national tournament game in 24 years did not go as planned yesterday as the No. 11 seeded CCBC Essex fell 5-0 to the No. 2 seed Eastern Florida State College in Pool B play at Orlando Health Stadium.

Eastern Florida (15-0) struck first at 17:13 on a breakaway goal by Julieta Limardo. Eleven minutes later, Limardo finished her brace to put the Titans up 2-0, after a ball played into the box was not cleared.

The Titans added a goal in the 36th minute. Paula Garrido hit a shot from about the 18 and while Lydia Morris (Mercy) made a great step to deflect the shot, it still had enough on it to give Eastern Florida a 3-0 lead at the break.

The Knights (19-3) had chances throughout and missed turning it into a different game by inches.

In the fourth minute, Dani Zacierka (Sparrows Point) took a cross from Taylor West (North Point) and put a one-timer on frame, but the Titans’ Kiera Gibson made the save.

One minute later, Eastern Florida looked like they would have an early goal off a set piece that was sent into the box. Goalie Sam Tornatore (Eastern Tech) came off her line to cut it off and keep it scoreless.

In the 10th minute, Emily Vetri (Sparrows Point) broke up a scoring opportunity and 30 seconds later Tornatore stopped a one-on-one chance for the Titans.

The Titans continued to pressure the Knights defense in the 14th minute with a shot from 20 yards out, but Tornatore was there again to keep it 0-0.

Tornatore finished the game with 12 saves and now has 66 in over 1,592 minutes played this season.

The Knights’ had another opportunity to get on the board in the 30th minute.

An Eastern Florida defender played a ball back to Gibson, but did not hit it hard enough.

Kara Dietrich (Perry Hall) took the ball one-on-one and made a great move on the keeper. Unfortunately, her shot hit the right post and the rebound was saved by Gibson.

One of CCBC Essex’s last chances came in the 55th minute off a corner kick, as the subsequent shot hit a post again.

CCBC Essex would lose their next game to No. 7 Gillette (Wyoming) 4-1. The team finished the season with a19-4 record after going 7-9-1 in 2018.

Parkville Football to Play Old Mill Friday Night

The Parkville Knights will look to improve to 11-0 and a trip to the state semifinals as they face Old Mill of Anne Arundel County in the 4A Quarterfinals on Friday night. For the third week in a row, Parkville is the home team but the game will be played at Perry Hall High School at 7 p.m.

The Knights are led by their strong defense that includes stars Jah’kem Allen, Da’Vaghn Curbeam, Desmond Stuks and Desmond Walker.
The offense is led by quarterback Kevin Smith and running backs Noah Hambrick, Arriq Redd and Raymond Wood. Parkville is coached by Justin Payne.

According to the MPSSAA record book, Parkville had not won a playoff game in football until this year. They defeated Wheaton 49-0 and Einstein High 48-7 in the first two rounds.

Old Mill defeated Severna Park 34-19 in the first round and beat Meade 19-6 last week.

Old Mill has a great tradition of football as they have made the playoffs 20 times in the past 30 years and won the 4A state title in 2009 & 2011.

Kingsville Elementary Teacher Named Best by Baltimore Style magazine Readers

Amy DeNike, a Grade 3 teacher at Kingsville Elementary, was voted 2019 best public-school teacher at the elementary-middle level by the readers of Baltimore Style magazine.

Kingsville Elementary Principal Carol Ferris said her teacher was well deserving.
“It is a well-deserved recognition for an outstanding teacher who provides high-quality instruction for her students every day and always goes above and beyond,” Ferris said about DeNike’s award.

DeNike, a Dulaney High School graduate, has been teaching at Kingsville Elementary for 35 years. She has earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and a master’s degree in reading education, both from Towson University. She became a National Board-Certified teacher in November 2007 in Literacy: Reading – Language Arts/ Early and Middle Childhood.

Her previous honors include Who’s Who Among American Teachers (1996, 2000, and 2004-5); Essex – Middle River – White Marsh Outstanding Educator Award (2005); Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce Northeast Area Elementary Teacher of the Year (2009); and Chesapeake Gateway Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Education – Outstanding Educator Award finalist (2018).

Beyond the classroom, DeNike has contributed to the success of the school’s Safe Racer and Odyssey of the Mind teams. In 2016, Kingsville’s Safe Racer Team, coached by DeNike, became the Northeast Area Champions and BCPS Safe Racer Champions. DeNike was a longtime coach of Odyssey of the Mind teams at Kingsville, and, under her leadership, Kingsville’s team won the World Finals in 1999.

“I love teaching, and it definitely is my life’s passion,” said DeNike. “I feel lucky to be spending my career doing what I love at an awesome school!”

Chapel Hill Student Wins Peabody’s Young Artists Concerto Competition

Taeyeon (Sophia) Park, a third grade student at Chapel Hill Elementary in Perry Hall, earned first place in the Peabody Young Artist Concerto competition.

As part of the Preparatory’s Concerto Competition Day, held on Nov. 17, the Young Artists Concerto Competition provides intermediate and advanced students, who are aged 14 and under, the opportunity to compete for a solo performance with the Preparatory’s Young Artists Orchestra. As the winner, Park will rehearse and perform one movement of a Baroque concerto with the Young Artists Orchestra on the Peabody Preparatory Concerto Concert on Feb. 15, 2020.

Park has been playing the violin for five years and practices every day. In the competition, she performed the Bach Violin Concerto No.1 in A minor, 1st movement.

Police Charge Three Suspects in Assault of Juvenile in Parkville

Three arrests have been made in the serious assault of a juvenile in Parkville last week; one adult, and two juveniles are charged as adults due to the seriousness of the crime.

Jaheim Daquan Taylor (18) of the 8700 block of Cimarron Circle of Parkville, Kristen Joseph Johnson (17) of the unit block of Hallview Court in Nottingham, and Perez Antonio Barrett Jr (16) of the 8000 block of Arbor Station Way in Parkville, face a litany of attempted homicide, assault, robbery and theft charges following two separate assaults on a 16-year-old juvenile in Parkville last week.

On Nov. 11, the suspects assaulted the victim behind a building in the 8700 block of Old Harford Road in Parkville after they were dissatisfied with a purchase of marijuana sold to them by the victim. The victim advised they hit and kicked him until he was unconscious, then stole his backpack and belongings, including his school laptop which he recovered the following day. The victim did not initially report the incident to police.

On Nov. 12 the victim attempted to resolve things with the suspects and recover his stolen property. He agreed to meet with the suspects after school again and fight with Barrett to resolve the issue. They met around 2:30 p.m. behind a building in the 8600 block of Old Harford Road. Barrett punched the victim in his face first, followed by the other suspects striking and kicking the victim until he fell to the ground and lost consciousness. During the fight Barrett stated he was going to kill the victim.

A witness from a nearby building saw the suspects assaulting the victim while he was unconscious on the ground, grabbed a shovel and ran to intervene. The suspects all fled the area on foot. The witness, who has some medical training, found the victim unconscious and not breathing. After placing the victim on his side and clearing his airway the victim began to breathe again. He was transported by medics to an area hospital for further treatment.

Detectives have identified and charged three of four suspects involved in both incidents, with Johnson and Barrett both being juveniles charged as adults. All three are held without bail in the Baltimore County Detention Center pending trial.

Detectives from the Parkville Investigative Services Unit are continuing their work to identify the fourth suspect. Anyone who has additional information that can help them in this endeavor is asked to call detectives at 410-887-5456. Callers may remain anonymous.

Police Pull Car from Dundalk Pond 10 Years Later

Baltimore County Police said that after a vehicle was reported stolen in Baltimore City 10 years ago, it was pulled from the murky waters of a pond in Stansbury Park in Dundalk.

Police received a tip that there may be a vehicle in the pond in Dundalk after it was seen on satellite images. The Baltimore County Police Dive Team responded to the park on Tuesday, Nov. 20 and discovered the vehicle, empty, immersed in the pond.

After it was pulled from the pond a check of the vehicle identification number revealed that the vehicle, now covered in algae, was a gold 2007 Chevrolet Malibu reported stolen in Baltimore City in 2009. The vehicle has not been linked to any other crimes.