Maybe I'll give this writing thing a whirl...

A long time ago -- well, technically seven months ago -- I used to write sports stories for a newspaper. That was my profession for the better part of two decades.

But changes came about, and last August I switched professions. Just not careers.

I'm still in Carroll County, still covering the high school sports scene just as I have since 1999. Only now it's a scene focused on the digital side of things.

So long newsprint, hello wireless microphones and deftly placed lower third graphics. I don't have that deadline looming anymore on a daily basis. Instead, I'm learning how to properly wind 100-foot ethernet cables (still a work in progress).

But that doesn't mean I can't dust off some old skills now and then.

Consider this my debut into the Community Media Center blogosphere. So let's jump right in by taking a look at the Carroll County Athletic League boys basketball standings. 

Century and Liberty are tied atop the standings entering the week of Jan. 10-14, 2022. The Knights and Lions play each other for the first time Jan. 18 at Century High, where coach George Wunder is closing in on career win No. 300.

Let's take a look at the Knights' most recent victory, a Jan. 6 road win at Manchester Valley.

It's still early and every county team is in the mix. Games are becoming more meaningful now that January is here and intra-county matchups are prominent. 

I'm looking forward to the next few weeks to see which teams make a push for the county championship.

Century has won six titles since 2014, including the last three in a row. Liberty has two in that time frame, and Winters Mill has one. 

Several Carroll winter sports teams were able to participate in some holiday tournament action, although several events were either modified or wiped out because of COVID-19 concerns.

The holidays are in the rear view, but several teams and athletes enjoyed some success during the break. One of them was Francis Scott Key's boys hoops squad, which won a pair of games at the Winters Mill tourney.

The Eagles were led by senior forward Ryan Rill, who is closing in on 1,000 career points. He also earned CMSportsNet Athlete of the Week after putting up big performances in that tournament.

Check out our video with Ryan, who has two Athlete of the Week honors so far this school year.

So, check back and I'll be sure to add more blogs in the future. I just need to shake off the writing dust. It's been a minute!

Oh, and I'm not afraid of a little shameless plugging. So, be sure to check out CMSportsNet's high school coverage -- subscribe to our Youtube channel and follow us on Facebook 

And don't forget to subscribe to our podcast called The Score & More, with yours truly and CCPS Supervisor of Athletics Michael Duffy.