(Enlarge) Maya Torain, shown grabbing a rebound away from Garrison Forest's Shaniya Rentie, left, and teammate Ali Flax helped the Comets' to a 71-50 win during the Holly & Hoops basketball tournament in December. (Staff photo by Matt Roth)

This was supposed to be a week when the Catonsville girls basketball team played three scheduled games and possibly another makeup game.

But last weekend's monster snowstorm closed schools from Feb. 8-10 (and perhaps beyond) and put the games on hiatus.

It gave the Comet girls a chance to reflect on the past and envision the future.

Whether they look back or forward, they will do so with a huge grin.

How can you not smile when you look at a team that has won nine games in a row since its only loss of the season, Dec. 29, to Bethlehem Catholic (Pa.).

Three of the last five victories have been down-to-the-wire triumphs.

Before pounding Parkville, 58-24, (Feb. 3), the Comets prevailed in squeakers over Woodlawn, 45-43 and Perry Hall, 48-47.

A game before dominating Kenwood, 63-32, they survived a 33-29 decision over Dulaney.

Last year, winning close games often meant getting the ball in the hands of four-year All-County First Team guard Shamika Williams or senior Shelby Polk, the Catonsville Times Athlete of the Year.

But, this season, the latest heroics in the trio of narrow victories have been provided by a variety of sources.

Against Perry Hall, the score was tied with nine seconds left when freshman Maddie Hunt hit the front end of a one-and-one for a one-point lead.

Five seconds later, senior Candace McCray made a huge steal to seal the victory.

The tying basket was set up by a big rebound from Raven Higgins-Rogers, and pass to Zoey Whittington for a score.

"It's been a total team effort," coach Mike Mohler said, citing two free throws by Rachel Schwaab down the stretch that sparked the win over Dulaney -- and free throws in the final minute and dominant fourth-quarter defense that keyed the win over Woodlawn.

Catonsville held Woodlawn to just one field goal in the final 4:19 of the game.

All the victories have put the Comets in the driver's seat to play for its third consecutive Baltimore County championship.

They have not lost in the division and have beaten close pursuers Dulaney, Woodlawn, Perry Hall, Franklin and Milford Mill.

"This year in crunch time, we have really come together as a team," 6-foot senior Maya Torain said.

Torain, averaging 8 points and 8 rebounds per game, realized this year's team was going to be pretty good early in the season.

"I didn't think we were going to blow out teams any more, but in the beginning of the season we started beating down teams like we did last year," she said.

They won the first three games of the season by nearly 25 points a game.

Although Torain is proud of the two county titles, she craves more.

"I'm thinking we can really contend for regionals this year," she said. "I've played Western (Baltimore City) for three years and came up short and I think teamwork will take us further this year."

Getting the ball inside to Torain wouldn't hurt.

"Nobody in the league has better hands than Maya," Mohler said. "Her hands are what amazes me. If she touches the ball it is hers."

The offense has been in the hands of McCray, who took over the starting point guard chores early in the new year.

"She does a lot of the little things," said Mohler, noting she averages about 10 points a game. "She guards the other team's best player and has done a good job handling the ball -- and she gets to the basket as well as anybody in the league."

McCray played junior varsity at Catonsville as a freshman, transferred to Towson Catholic as a sophomore, before returning to Catonsville for her junior year.

McCray's move to point gives the Comets more depth, because Kayla Gibson, who started the first half at point, can spell her.

"I'm comfortable at point, especially if my team is having trouble," she said.

She's even more comfortable with her teammates.

"Because we are younger, we play a lot more, but what I like is when it's time to get serious, or see who has the most heart our players stand out," she said.

Leading scorer Whittington (12 ppg.) was a stand out sprinter on the track last season, meter dash.

Now, her blazing speed and grasp of the defense, since playing varsity her freshman year, are vital weapons.

"You are not catching Zoey," Mohler said. "If there is a foot race, I'm not worried who is getting the ball."

Whittington is taking more pride in her defense.

"Freshman year I wasn't used to it," she said. "Now, I see where defense is where we shine."

That man-to-man defense has held 12 foes under 40 points in games this season.

That defense has flourished with the insertion of fundamentally-sound freshman Hunt into the lineup.

"She's in because of her defense," Mohler said. "She's picked up everything real quick."

Higgins-Rogers, Kelly McGinty and Rocci Steele have provided ample inside help off the bench and Gibson and Ashley Fefel have bolstered the backcourt.

Fefel knocked down three three-pointers in the big 34-point win over Parkville.

Although the Knights are not one of the better county teams, Mohler marveled at the way his squad responded.

"We moved the ball as well as we have all year," Mohler said. "Everybody was touching it and we're better when that happens."

As evidenced by 17 victories, that must be happening a lot.

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