High School Boys Basketball Preview

Baltimore County

Arlington Baptist Eagles

1994 record: 22-5.

Coach: Tim Hurlburt

Top players: Andy Booker, 5-10, Sr., G; Chuck Edwards, 5-10, Sr., G; Lamar Parker, 5-11, Jr., F; Josh Settler, 5-9, Sr., G; Jeremiah Thompson, 6-3, Sr., F.

Outlook: Edwards (8 ppg) is the only returner from last year's Christian Schools Athletic Association co-champions. The Eagles lost three starters from a year ago, and K. C. Canada transferred to Oakland Mills. The Eagles enter their first season in the MIAA (fourth tier) and first-year coach Hurlburt will use a pressure defense to try to speed up the offense. Of the three senior starters, Booker, at the point, has the best skills, yet all lack experience. Thompson, who weighs 225 pounds, gives the Eagles a legitimate rebounder.

Beth Tfiloh Panthers

1994 record: 13-17.

Coach: Sam Perlin

Top players: Frank Bohrer, 5-10, Sr., G; David Brown, 6-2, Sr., F; Ben Rombrow, 5-10, Jr., G; Sam Ruskin, 6-2, Jr., F.

Outlook: The Panthers find themselves in a different position than last season when they had no seniors and little experience. Perlin has seen a noticeable change in ability and conditioning with several kids playing over the summer. Among those is Ruskin, whose mobility figures to make him more of a threat inside. The Panthers' strength is in the backcourt, where Rombrow and Bohrer give the Panthers both a penetrator and a outside shooter, respectively. Despite a deep bench, Perlin is committed to using his starters longer than usual this season.

Boys' Latin Lakers

1994 record: 15-9.

Coach: Hugh Gelston

Top players: Mike DiLonardo, 6-4, Sr., C; Wes Lovell, 6-2, Sr., F; Kevin Myers, 5-9, Sr., G.

Outlook: An MIAA B Conference semifinalist last season, the Lakers return three starters and plenty of depth with a bench full of juniors. Short on size, the Lakers' frontcourt of DiLonardo and Lovell (they combined to average 20 points last season) is strengthened by the addition of Greg Patchak, a transfer from Calvert Hall. Boys' Latin will need a consistent perimeter game if it hopes to stand up against a stiff schedule that includes McDonogh, Severn, St. Paul's, Dundalk and Loch Raven -- all early in the season.

Calvert Hall Cardinals

1994-95 record: 26-9.

Coach: Mark Amatucci

Top players: Patrick Ngongba, 6-7, Sr., C; Juan Dixon, 6-2, Jr., G; Sam Anyan, 6-6, Sr., F; Gary Williams, 6-1, Sr., G; Antoine Peoples, 6-1, Sr., G.

Outlook: Amatucci, in the third year of his second tour at Calvert Hall, has his most talented team, but is cautious about his team's high expectations. Ngongba, who transferred from Mount Hebron, is one of the country's most sought-after prospects, joining returning starters Dixon and Anyan. The graduation of Vince Williams, John McKay and Tavar Witherspoon leaves Calvert Hall with no real experience or leadership. The Cardinals should pose the biggest threat to St. Frances in the Catholic League, but developing a winning chemistry and leadership will be crucial.

Carver A&T Wildcats

1994 record: 1-21.

Coach: Jim Rhoads

Top players: Patrick Williams, 5-8, Jr., PG; Ian Mattingly, 6-1, Jr., SF; Otis Knight, 6-1, Jr., SG; Hilton Carter, 6-2, So., C; Ronnie Sherrill, 6-2, Fr., PF

Outlook: They're not primed for prime time yet, but Rhoads' team should scare some folks this winter, as attention shifts from individual development to the team accomplishments. Last season's top eight players return, and none are seniors. Rhoads will expect Williams (14.5 ppg) to score, Knight to rebound, Carter to clog the middle, and Sherrill to grow. "These guys wear size 16 shoes," Rhoads says. "I have this dream that I'll walk into the locker room and they'll all be 6-5". They may soon be. With this unit, time is an ally.

Catonsville Comets

1994 record: 11-11.

Coach: Bill Nelson

Top players: Herman Cooper, 6-5, Sr., PF; Jerel Cotton, 6-2, Jr., PF; Trey Littlejohn, 6-3, Jr., SF; David Bortz, 5-9, Jr., PG; Victor Gray, 6-2, Jr., SG; Jeff Sewell, 6-1, Sr., SG

Outlook: Nelson likes his club very much, and his optimism seems justified. Cooper, Littlejohn and Bortz logged premium minutes last year, and Gray and Cotton are talented transfers. A go-to guy must emerge, and Nelson needs to establish a rotation that keeps several similarly skilled players content.

Chesapeake-BC Bayhawks

1994 record: 6-16.

Coach: Rodney McMillion

Top players: Josh Luat, 6-2, Sr., PF

Outlook: The Bayhawks' former athletic director has stepped in to sweep out debris associated with last year's debacle -- only Luat was retained from the 1994-95 varsity, which McMillion says had "a poor attitude." Luat is a slasher with a deft touch from 10 feet, but to the new coach, his primary asset is his classwork. Says McMillion: "I just wanted the best student-athletes I could get in the building." Now he'll discover how proficient they are on hardwood.

Dulaney Lions

1994 record: 9-13.

Coach: Phil Bressler

Top players: Spencer Stevens, 5-8, Sr., G; Jason Hobar, 6-5, Sr., F; Jason Williams, 6-2, Sr., G; Colin Snow, 5-11, Sr., G