BCPS Celebrates Local Athletic Champions


Dundalk High School football made it to the State Semifinals-

Baltimore County Public Schools celebrates its high school athletic teams and individual student athletes recognized as state and regional champions during the 2022 fall season.

The following eastern Baltimore County teams were honored:

State Runners-up

Cheerleading 4A – Perry Hall High School

Regional Champions

Boys Soccer 2A North – Sparrows Point High School

Football 3A/4A North – Dundalk High School

Football 3A/4A North – Perry Hall High School

Girls Soccer 2A North – Sparrows Point High School

“I’d like to congratulate all of our student athletes on a successful fall season,” said BCPS Superintendent

Dr. Darryl L. Williams. “Their participation helps them develop skills that improve their performance both on and off the field. I’d like to express my gratitude to their coaches, trainers, physical education teachers and families for their tremendous support.”

“It is wonderful to see so many of our student athletes perform at a high level,” said Michael Sye, BCPS coordinator of athletics. “We are so proud of their determination, teamwork, and work ethic.

County Purchases Rec Center for Halethorpe


-photo courtesy of Baltimore County Government-

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced the purchase of the approximately 24,000-square foot Leadership Through Athletics indoor recreation facility, located at 2900 Hammonds Ferry Road in the Halethorpe community.

The site, acquired for $3.17 million with funding assistance through Maryland’s Program Open Space, continues the Olszewski administration’s ongoing efforts to expand recreational opportunities throughout Baltimore County.

“We remain fully committed to expanding recreational opportunities in every community across our county and are excited to have the opportunity to continue the rich legacy of this beloved Halethorpe facility,” said Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski. “I am grateful to our state partners, our colleagues on the County Council, and former County Executive Mohler for their support in helping to make this exciting new project a reality.”

The Leadership Through Athletics center was acquired from the Grace family, lifelong residents of southwest Baltimore County, who operated the facility for nearly 18 years.

The newly-acquired facility features a double gymnasium, second floor half gymnasium, activity room, and basement activity space.

This is the Olszewski administration’s eleventh recreation and parks acquisition since the start of 2021.

The Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks will operate the facility as a public recreation center, with activities and programs that will build upon the legacy of the beloved community-oriented center.

“We are very excited about this new facility acquisition,” said Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks Director Roslyn Johnson. “The Grace family wanted to ensure this Lansdowne asset was accessible to the community and we will ensure it is. Lansdowne is an area that is in need of more recreational opportunities and, for us, this was an ideal opportunity to fulfill an important need.”

Established under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources in 1969, Program Open Space provides financial and technical assistance to local jurisdictions for park acquisition, development, and enhancements.

Since 1970, the County has utilized over $155 million in POS funding to assist in the acquisition of more than 6,800 acres of parkland, and for the construction, enhancement and renovations of recreational facilities at parks and public school recreation centers. The parkland acquisition program has allowed for the preservation of thousands of acres of woodlands, stream valleys and other sensitive lands.

With the support of POS funding, Baltimore County has secured, expanded, and improved a wide range of public parks and recreation sites including Oregon Ridge Park and Nature Center, Cromwell Valley Park, Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum, seven regional parks and athletic facilities, and nearly 100 neighborhood and community parks.

Overlea and Parkville Fall in Boys Final 4


-photo courtesy of BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams-

Overlea and Parkville’s Boys Basketball teams seasons came to an end in their respective State Semifinal games on Wednesday night.

Overlea fell to 52-41 to Westlake in the 2A MPSSAA State Semifinals at Montgomery Blair High School. The Falcons made it back to the state semifinals for the first time in 30 years.

Dr. Darryl L. Williams, BCPS Superintendent, attended Overlea’s game on Wednesday and said he was proud of the team’s effort.

“I returned to Blair HS and watched Overlea Boys Basketball team play a great game,” Williams posted on Twitter.
“Thank you to the Overlea community, students, staff, and alumni for supporting our athletic program, our coaches and our student athletes. Proud of you.”

Parkville’s perfect season came to an end with a 59 to 57 loss to Roosevelt in the 2A MPSSAA State Semifinals at North Point High School in Waldorf.

The Knights made it to the State Semifinals in 2020 but never got the chance to finish the season as the final two games were canceled after the COVID-19 outbreak.

The team released a statement after the game.

“The journey for the Boys Varsity Knights basketball team ended tonight with a loss of 57-59. Boys I’m sure you are disappointed but all your fellow Knights are so proud of you. You had an epic season coming off the craziness of the last 2 years. Hold your heads high because you are Knights and we are strong. Congratulations on all you accomplished this season.”

Parkville & Overlea Boys Basketball Teams in Final Fours


photo courtesy of Parkville HS Athletic Boosters Club

Eastern Baltimore County has been well represented in the state high school boys basketball playoffs. Three area teams made it to the their State Quarterfinals in three of the four classifications.

Parkville and Overlea basketball teams have advanced to the semifinals of their respective classifications. Kenwood fell in their quarterfinal game.

Parkville improved to 23-0 after an 84-40 win over Duval in the 4A Boys Basketball State Quarterfinals. The Knights returned to their second straight 4A State Semifinals. Parkville did not get an opportunity to play for the state title in 2020 as the semifinals were canceled during the COVID-19 outbreak. The full 2021 basketball playoffs were canceled.

Overlea advanced to their first state semifinals since 1992 with a 70-66 over Williamsport High School from Washington County in the 2A Boys Basketball State Quarterfinals. Overlea is now 19-4 on the year.

The Falcons defeated 77-22 Sparrows Point in the 2A Regional Semifinals and defeated Carver of Baltimore City 55-36.

The season came to an end for Kenwood as the Bluebirds lost to Atholton 62-55. The Bluebirds finished the season with a 18-5 record.

They defeated Edgewood 52-51 in 3A Regional Semifinals and defeated CM Wright by 1 point 55-54 in the Regional Finals.

Source: mpssaa.org

Parkville and Overlea Advance to Boys Regional Finals


– photo courtesy of Overlea Falcons MBasketball Facebook page-

Parkville and Overlea are in the boys basketball regional finals as they defeated two local schools to get to the finals of their regions.

The Knights improved to 22-0 with an 89 to 65 win over Dundalk in the 4A playoffs. Parkville recently won the Baltimore County title last week.

Also Overlea defeated Sparrows Point in the 2A Regional Semifinals 77 to 22 on Monday.

Parkville will play the winner of Catonsville/Dulaney on Wednesday and the Falcons will host the winner of Carver Vo-Tech/Dunbar also on March 2.

Parkville Boys Win County Basketball Title


-photo courtesy of Parkville HS Athletic Boosters Club-

The Parkville Knights Boys Basketball team won the Baltimore County Championship last week.

The Knights defeated Randallstown 80-72 on Feb. 22 to become county champions.

This is the first county title for Parkville since 1991.

Parkville is improved to 21-0 on the year and the team is playing in the 2022 MPSSAA Basketball Tournament.

The Knights made it to the state semifinals in 2020, but the rest of the tournament was cancelled as a result of COVID. There was no basketball season in 2021.

Dundalk Falls Short in State Title Game


The Dundalk Owls season came to an end as they were defeated by Mervo from Baltimore City 22 to 13 in the 4A/3A Football State Title Game.

The Owls appeared they were on their way to their first state football title as they jumped out to a 13 to 0 lead over Mervo. Dundalk’s defense was dominant in the first half as the Owl’s defense recovered a touchdown on Mervo’s first offensive series. Then Dundalk stopped Mervo on two different drives near their goal line.

Mervo final scored a touchdown on the Owl defense in the final two minutes, but the game changed when Mervo blocked a punt for a touchdown in the final seconds to take a 14 to 13 lead at half.

Dundalk had a golden opportunity in the beginning of the second half as they recovered a bad snap on a punt in Mervo’s redzone. The Owls could not score as Stokes was sacked on third down and Owls missed the field goal.

Mervo came back on the next series with two big pass plays that resulted in a touchdown and a two-point conversion that extended the Mervo lead to 22 to 13.

Dundalk’s offense got into Mervo territory but couldn’t score. The Owls would not score in the second half as they had a fumble at the Mervo one-yard line. Stokes also threw two endzone interceptions in the fourth quarter on the last two drives.

The Owls were able to score their only offensive touchdown in the first quarter as Quarterback Calvin Stokes scored on a 1-yard touchdown run. That was set up by Stokes’ 20-yard fourth down pass to Marcus Nicholson on the previous play.

This was the second state title appearance for the Owls as they lost to Damascus in 2015.

Dundalk Football Receives National Mention


The Dundalk Owls received national attention during the Ravens/Browns game on NBC Sunday night.

During an introduction from a commercial break, a video was shown of Dundalk’s 40 to 6 win over Arundel.

NBC announcer Mike Tirico explained the team is going to play for the state title this Thursday at Navy, but the audio sounded like he called the team “Dunlack”.

The Dundalk High Football Twitter page shared the video.

Dundalk Football Going to State Title Game After Win

Owls to play Mervo for state title after 40 to 6 win


photo courtesy of Dundalk Football Twitter page-

The Dundalk High School football team is back in the state title game as the Owls defeated Arundel High 40 to 6 at home on Friday night in 4A/3A state semifinals.

There was a little controversy before the game as Arundel High retweeted out “We are going to give Dundalk a Black Friday”.

The Dundalk Football Twitter page retweeted the comment and Dundalk wrote “Black Friday” as they shared a picture of the team celebrating under the scoreboard.

The win sends the Owls to the 4A/3A Championship game. This is their first title game appearance since they lost to Damascus in 2015.

Dundalk has never won a state title in football and they have an opportunity next Thursday at 7.

The Owls will play Mervo for the championship at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.

CCBC Essex Men’s Soccer Loses in NJCAA National Title Game


photo courtesy of CCBC Essex Athletics-

Essex Men’s Soccer lost on penalty kicks in the NJCAA National Championship game against Pima Community College 3 to 2 on Saturday night.

The Knights fell behind 1 to 0 for the second game in a row but they came back as Toga Katsuma scored two goals late in the first half of the title game to give CCBC Essex a 2 to 1 lead.

Pima added a goal near the end of the half to tie the game 2 to 2 at halftime.

No team scored again in the second half or in both overtime sessions until Pima won on penalty kicks.