High School Girls Basketball Preview

Baltimore County

Arlington Baptist Eagles

1994 record: 3-11.

Coach: Liz Byers.

Top players: Sonja Edmonds, 5-2, Jr., PG; Leah Clelland, 5-9, Fr., G; Kelly Bilbrey, 5-9, Jr., F; Vicki Mathews, 5-2, Sr., G; Bekah Ritter, 5-9, Sr., F.

Outlook: The Eagles move into the AIS B Division and they have already served notice that they plan to contend for the title. Last week, they came within three points of defending A Division champ Park before losing in overtime. Byers is still stressing basics, but the Eagles show a developing pressure defense that could make them a strong transition team.

Beth Tfiloh Warriors

1994 record: 6-20.

Coach: John Grap.

Top players: Rachel Dahan, 5-1, Sr., PG; Lily Dahan, 5-2, Jr., G; Marlene Hollander, 5-4, Jr., F; Mara Levin, 5-7, Jr., F; Rachel Roffman, 5-9, So., C.

Outlook: Despite their record, the Warriors were overmatched only three times last year, losing the rest of their games by a few points, so that shows hope for improving the record and getting past the first round of the AIS B Division tournament. A two-time AIS All-Star Rachel Dahan is the top returnee after averaging nine points and three assists a year ago.

Carver A&T Wildcats

1994 record: 6-12.

Coach: Tom Appel.

Top players: Jessica Stewart, 5-5, Jr., G; April Johnson, 5-1, Jr., PG; Shennel Boone, 5-7, Jr., F; Erica Jett, 5-2, Sr., G; Jenn Albright, 5-2, Jr., G.

Outlook: The Wildcats are determined to boost their record toward .500 this season. They have developed a better man-to-man defense and Boone is tough on the boards. Offensively, Stewart is the top threat and can hit the three-pointer. Still, the Wildecats have to develop their ball handling, as well as their team approach, to make a move in the county's Sharp Shooters Division.

Catonsville Comets

1994 record: 19-5.

Coach: Mike Mohler.

Top players: Meaghann Mohler, 5-4, Sr., PG; Shannon Rexrode, 5-11, Sr., F; Kelly Fetter, 5-5, Sr., F/G; Krista Bayne, 5-3, Sr., G; Cachet Hall, 5-9, Sr., F; Jamie Funk, 5-4, Sr., G.

Outlook: With every starter back, the Comets are the team to beat in Baltimore County's highly-competitive Hoopsters Division. The Comets lack height, but make up for it with speed and quickness. Mohler says the only questions are whether the Comets can handle the added pressure of being the favorite and whether they can maintain the intensity needed to play a tough opponent every night.

Chesapeake Bayhawks

1994 record: 10-11.

Coach: Lori Wojtkowiak.

Top players: Jummy Bullock, 5-6. Sr., F/G; Alissa Matthews, 5-5, Sr., G; Shannen Reynolds, 5-9, Sr., F; Kim Cardinale, 6-1, Jr., C..

Outlook: The Bayhawks lost three starters to graduation, but Wojtkowiak, who coached the JV last year, thinks they can reach .500 in the new Sharp Shooters Division. The defense looks solid, but the Bayhawks need to improve their shooting and add some balance to their offense.

Dulaney Lions

1994 record: 13-5.

Coach: Melba Williams.

Top players: Dawn Will, 5-9, Sr., F; Tracy Miksis, 5-10, Jr., C; Jenn Confer, 5-11, Jr., F; Ellie Brocato, 5-5, Jr., PG; Kerrie Eisenhauer, 5-6, Sr., G.

Outlook: This year's team has much less experience than the team that fell to Western in the regional semifinal a year ago. Still, Williams looks for a better inside game and a more unselfish offense. Defensively, the Lions have some holes in their man-to-man.

Dundalk Owls

1994 record: 5-15.

Coach: Fred Hammett.

Top players: Davette Fowlkes, 5-3, Jr., G; Jade Rose, 5-7, Sr., C; Veronica Coles, 5-5, Jr., F; Amanda Orlandi, 5-0, So., G; Melba Hawkins, 5-6, So., F.

Outlook: Despite having a young team, Hammett is hoping to break .500 in his first season with the Owls. The Owls will be among the shortest teams in the Quick Shooters Division, but they do have a strong backcourt. In addition to the solid ball-handling, Fowlkes and Orlandi should provide a lot of scoring.

Eastern Tech Mavericks

1994 record: 2-18.

Coach: Dave Scrivener.

Top players: Shanell Carter, 5-7, Jr., G; Elisha Carter, 5-4, Fr., G; Christina Fox, 5-10, So. F; Jenn Betkey, 5-10, So., F.

Outlook: Last year, the Mavericks averaged just 27 points a game, so that's where Scrivener wants to start the improvement. Despite their youth, they have plenty of promise for a balanced offense. The Mavericks broke a 96-game losing streak to county opponents last year.

Franklin Indians

1994 record: 16-5.

Coach: Dave Turybury.

Top players: Ann Marie Molinaro, 5-11, So., F; Erin Spatafore, 5-7, So., PG; Katie Lee, 5-6, Sr., G; Sara Teeter, 5-7, So., G; Yolanda Little, 5-10, So., F.

Outlook: After losing their top three scoring and rebounding threats, the Indians are a bit inexperienced. Turybury, who takes over after four years with the boys JV, carries only three seniors and could start four sophomores. With plenty of untested talent and athletic ability, Turybury aims for a .500 record in the tough Hoopsters Division, but he said the Indians have the potential to surpass that.

Garrison Forest Grizzlies

1994 record: 6-7.

Coach: Ed Morse.