Towson Catholic, which has produced the likes of NBA players Gene Shue, Carmelo Anthony and Donte Greene, unexpectedly closed its doors last week.
The small-school power, based in suburban Baltimore, Md., for 86 years, stunned and angered students, who staged a protest rally. It was reported that the school closed due to declining enrollment and a $650,000 deficit.
The 77-year-old Shue, who also coached in the NBA, told the Baltimore Sun, “Unbelievable. I’m really, really disappointed.”
Another graduate, Anita Nall-Richesson, who won three swimming medals during the 1992 Olympics, said, “It’s a weird feeling to have your high school shut down. It’s almost surreal.”
And then there’s former NBA player Reggie Williams, who had just been hired as boys basketball coach. He’s now looking for another job.
Beisel qualifies for Rome
Elizabeth Beisel, who made a big splash as the youngest USA swimmer in last year’s Olympic Games, will make her next international appearance in Rome, Italy.
The rising senior at North Kingstown, R.I., won two events during the USA Swimming National Championships in Indianapolis, Ind., to qualify for the World Championships in Rome from July 26-Aug. 2.
The 16-year-old phenom captured the 400-meter individual medley in 4:36.31 – the fifth-fastest time in the world this year – and also won the 200-meter backstroke in 2:08.80.
Crouser continues climb
Ryan Crouser, a rising junior at Barlow (Gresham, Ore.) continued to leave his mark on the track world by earning a gold and silver medal during the sixth IAAF World Youth Championships in Bressanone, Italy.
Crouser dominated the shot put field with a record winning throw of 70 feet, 9 inches. In fact, he had the best three throws in the entire field. He also was runner-up in the discus and actually was leading until Syria’s Hamid Manssour got off a 210-7 toss on his sixth and final attempt.
Finley switches colleges
National discus record holder Mason Finley has been given his release by UCLA after head track coach Art Venegas was fired. The recent graduate of Buena Vista (Colo.) has decided to attend the University of Kansas.
Before college, however, he will compete in the Junior Pan American Games in Trinidad during late July and early August.
Keala King
Photo by Nicholas Koza
Virginia’s Class AA-Division 4 Player of the Year, Josh Hairston, is transferring to national powerhouse Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md.), head coach Stu Vetter told MaxPreps.
The 6-foot-8 rising senior averaged 23 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks as a junior while leading Courtland to a 28-2 record and its first state basketball title. He has made a commitment to Duke University.
Another national power, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), has three transfers from other California schools, coach Gary McKnight told MaxPreps. They are 6-5 seniors Keala King, who starred at Compton Dominguez, and Max Hooper, a superb outside shooter, plus Mike Van Kirk, a 7-foot, 220-pound rising junior.
Softball rule changed
A major rule was passed recently which will affect the country’s prep softball players next year. The National Federation of State High School Associations has voted to move the pitching mound back three feet from 40 to 43 feet.
Pitchers long have dominated the game with numerous strikeouts and officials are hopeful this adjustment will allow the defense to become more involved.
