No. 2 Poly forfeits season-opening game

The No. 2 Poly boys basketball team had to forfeit Wednesday’s season opener at fellow Baltimore City foe Digital Harbor because of an illegal practice that took place over the summer. Poly eightyear coach Sam Brand defended his program Wednesday and said he was disappointed by the ruling. “We strive to provide the maximum amount of support year round for our student athletes on and off the court,” he said in a text message. “During the quest, we were accused of practicing by someone within our athletic department while most of our team was not present and no basketball was played. We have never committed or even been formerly accused of any out of season violation until this one and are disappointed at the ruling. It is my opinion that taking the game from students that weren’t involved in the violation in any way does not align with our schools or system’s mission of serving students first. The mistake was made by me, so I don’t agree with the group being penalized but have no choice to accept it and move forward with positivity.” Poly athletic director Phil Thompson confirmed the Engineers only had to forfeit their first game, but didn’t comment further. Tiffany Byrd, coordinator of athletics for Baltimore City, could not be reached for comment. Poly went 22-6 last season and won their second straight Class 3A state title and second Baltimore City Division I crown in three years. With all Maryland state government offices closed on Wednesday to honor of former President George H.W. Bush, the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association also was unavailable to comment. raise his stock in front of NFL executives, scouts and coaches. Miles is the first Morgan State player to compete in the East-West Shrine game. Miles was selected to the preseason All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference team and was voted as a captain by his teammates. The 6-foot-6, 310-pound offensive tackle started in every game and was named the MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week three times during the season. MAJOR LEAGUE LACROSSE: Adam Silva, formerly the Bayhawks vice president of corporate sales and sponsorship, has been promoted to club president. The Bayhawks’ former president, Mark Burdett, will remain the president of Chesapeake Sports and Entertainment Group, the Chesapeake Bayhawks’ parent company.

MEN’S COLLEGE LACROSSE: Yale, coming off its first NCAA championship, has been placed atop the Top 25 of Inside Lacrosse’s Face- Off Yearbook. Yale is followed by Duke, Maryland, Loyola Maryland and Cornell in the top five. Notre Dame, Denver, Virginia, Johns Hopkins and Penn State round out the top 10.

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