Top 10 Local Sports Stories of 2011

From playoff snubs and forfeits to Olympic appearances and college committments, here are our top 10 local sports stories of the year:

1) After a nine-win regular season and a blowout win in the first round of the playoffs, the MPSSAA wiped away all of New Town football’s achievements when it declared one of the Titans’ players ineligible. The school had appealed the decision, the MPSSAA stuck by its ruling that New Town must forfeit its season.

2) After years of sitting on the big hill or standing alongside the fence, Owings Mills learned it will finally get the ball rolling on the football stadium it has long desired. County executive Kevin Kamenetz directed his office to set aside funds for the stadium’s construction.

3) New Town standout Jannah Tucker was one of 12 athletes from across the country named to the United States’ Under-16 Olympic girls basketball squad. Tucker later proved her worth, setting the in a game during a win over Brazil.

4) Back in September, Stevenson football exploded onto the scene, winning its first ever home football game over Christopher Newport in a 46-43 overtime thriller. The Mustangs amassed nearly 500 yards of offense in the win.

5) A major factor in Owings Mills’ football revival, offensive tackle Donovan Smith—who single handedly helped bring a buzz to the program—inked his letter of intent to

6) One of the most exciting, back-and-forth contests for either team during the 2011 basketball season, Owings Mills slipped by New Town on a pair of Ahmaad Wilson free throws to advance to the state semifinals at the University of Maryland College Park. Patch also the game.

7) Legendary coach Guy Pritzker and Owings Mills wrestling at the hands of Winters Mills in the State Duals in February. That left the Eagles wrestlers chomping at the bit at their individual meets.

8) Sticking with the Eagles, Owings Mills football narrowly missed out on a trip to the post season, but one can’t ignore the signs that the program—once mired in a 50 game losing streak—is finally turning the corner.

9) Just a couple weeks ago, Franklin and Owings Mills varsity basketball players were afforded the opportunity to square off against one another in a college arena at Stevenson.

10) Patch detailed the college career of Stevenson quarterback C.J. Hopson, who plays the game of football like it’s about to be taken away from him, perhaps because, it was snatched away once before.