Each week, the Howard County Times will pick a Team of the Week and hand out three game balls to the top three performers through all sports across the county. This week’s edition spans three weeks and will feature three teams of the week and five game balls.
Note: All stats included were submitted by coaches. To send in stats or information please email them to either mdscores@baltsun.com or jsteinberg@baltsun.com
Teams of the Week
Hammond girls basketball: The Golden Bears earned four dominant wins over the past two weeks, extending their record to 6-0 — the program’s best start since the 2001-02 season. Hammond defeated Mt. Hebron and Marriotts Ridge in county and then dominated noncounty foes Arundel and Century.
River Hill boys basketball: The Hawks orchestrated six impressive wins over the last three-week stretch. River Hill’s offense exploded for 110 and 92 points with its fast-paced style in back-to-back wins over Fallston and Westminster. The Hawks also won the Quince Orchard Christmas Tournament, defeating Thomas Johnson and Quince Orchard.
Mt. Hebron girls basketball: The Vikings won the Governor Thomas Johnson Tournament last week defeating the hosts on Wednesday and Smithsburg on Thursday. Mt. Hebron began with a dominant 57-28 win led by 13 points from Pearl Prasartkarnka and 10 from Michelle Nzelibe. The Vikings then took down Smithsburg in the title game, 47-44, led by a 16-point performance from freshman Jaelyn Peters, including the game-winning basket.
Honorable mention
Long Reach boys basketball: The Lightning earned a trio of tough non-county wins over Old Mill, Milford Mill and Poly over the last two weeks, also defeating Centennial in that span. Long Reach has excelled in close games throughout the year with five wins coming by six points or less. The Lightning also defeated Joppatowne and Broadneck in a holiday tournament last week.
Guilford Park wrestling: One of only five varsity teams fielded in the first year the school opened, the Panthers earned the program’s first ever victory, 54-30, over St. Vincent Pallotti on Dec. 15. Led by coach Dave Roggow, the wrestling team earned the first varsity victory for the high school’s winter sports programs. Leo Savaria, also placed fourth in the 113-pound weight class at the Damascus Holiday Duals among a tough field.
Game Ball No. 1
Sara Yarnell, Hammond, girls basketball, junior
Yarnell has been a key element of the Golden Bears’ strong start to the season. She’s averaging 11.5 points per game, second on the team. The junior is also a force on the boards, highlighted by a career-high 26-point, 13-rebound performance in a dominant 78-17 win over Arundel on Dec. 19.
Game Ball No. 2
Jayden Saunders, Long Reach, boys basketball, senior
The dynamic guard has averaged a team-leading 22.8 points in the last five games, spearheading the Lightning offense. The highlight of that stretch was a career-high 32-point performance in a win over Milford Mill on Dec. 19. In that game, Saunders scored from all three levels, knocking down 4 3-pointers and also shooting 12-for-13 at the free-throw line.
Game Ball No. 3
Jonah Obitz, Marriotts Ridge, wrestling, junior
One of the Mustangs’ most experienced wrestlers, Obitz has enjoyed a strong start to his senior campaign. He played a key role in the Mustangs’ tri-meet victory over Hammond and Reservoir on Dec. 12. Obitz won by pin and major decision, respectively, in his two matches during that meet.
Game Ball No. 4
Adria Welsh, Centennial, girls basketball, junior
A key veteran on a mostly young team, Welsh has stepped up in a big way for the Eagles in recent weeks. She helped lead Centennial to wins over Winters Mill, Long Reach and Crofton. The junior scored in double figures in all three games, with a season-high 19 in a win over the Lightning.
Game Ball No. 5
Kenny Akinlosotu, Mt. Hebron, boys basketball, junior
Akinlosotu has taken a step forward in his junior season, helping guide the Vikings to a 5-1 start. He has scored in double figures five straight games, while also being strong defensively for Mt. Hebron. That stretch was highlighted by a dominant 20-point, 18-rebound game in a 60-55 win over Crofton on Dec. 11.