Harford County team previews Local Sports: Girls Basketball Previews

Aberdeen Eagles

1995-96 record: 9-12

Coach: Sanciarhea Jones

Top players: Candie Barefoot, 5-6, Sr., F; Shola Jacobs, 5-9, Sr., F; Shawnette Ware, 5-9, Sr., F; Carmen Everett, 5-6, Jr., G; Lashona Cooper, 5-4, Soph., G.

Outlook: Military transfers for parents put a dent in this squad, but the potential is there because of the experience returning, including Cooper, who averaged 18 points as a freshman.

Bel Air Bobcats

1995-96 record: 13-10

Coach: Val Cooper

Top players: Laura Schindler, 5-10, Sr., F; Laura Scott, 5-10, Sr., C; Heidi Buchanan, 5-7, Jr., G; Kellie Flynn, 6-0, Jr., F; Becca Jones, 5-9, Jr., F; Colleen Keefe, 5-10, Jr., G.

Outlook: Basically a young team, but one with the ability to play well. If everyone stays healthy, there should be an improvement on last year's record.

C. Milton Wright Mustangs

1995-96 record: 21-1

Coach: John Harvey

Top players: Betsy Blom, 6-2, Sr., F; Jamie Gerhart, 5-4, Jr., G; Kiafa Harden, 5-9, Sr., F; Page Heath, 5-2, F, G; Nicole Nimmo, 6-4, Sr., C; Stephanie Novak, 6-0, Sr., F.

Outlook: Harvey, who takes over for 12-year coach Gloria Liedlich, inherits the county's tallest team, with the possibility of three senior 6-footers on the front line. The top three guards have no varsity experience. How well the team does depends on how the newcomers handle pressure and the ability of the big players to move.

Edgewood Rams

1995-96 record: 5-16

Coach: Matt Rankin

Top players: Latasha Bond, 5-6. Jr., G; Karly Crawford, 6-1, Sr., C; Erica Turner, 5-6, Jr., G; Beth Yarborough, 6-0, Jr., F.

Outlook: A solid group of experienced players has Rankin looking for .500 or better, but there is a lack of depth.

Fallston Cougars

1995-96 record: 16-3

Coach: Nancy Ferguson

Top players: Melissa Bystry, Jr., F; Jenn Cook, Sr., G; Stephanie Manfra, Soph., F; Karen Tiedemann, 5-9, Sr., F.

Outlook: A year ago, Ferguson had two returning starters and lost only to C.M. Wright in 19 games. This time, there is only one, three-year starter Tiedemann, but there are four other veterans. Overall, this is an athletic group, and if they channel their aggressive play, they should be rolling by January.

Harford Christian Eagles

1995-96 record: 7-13

Coach: Brian Akers

Top players: Amy Beckenstrator, 5-8, Sr., G; Kim Cox, 5-8, Sr., G; Jackie Davis, 5-10, Sr., F; Jill Davis, 5-2, Sr., G; Cheri Kragl, 5-7, Sr., G; Tiffany Reilly, 5-5, Sr., G.

Outlook: After enduring the school's first losing season of the decade, the main goal is a return to the winning tradition. Senior leadership, headed by three-year starter Kragl, and better size and quickness among the younger players should mean an improved record.

Harford Tech Cobras

1995-96 record: 6-9

Coach: Bob Rinehart

Top players: Dorian Hargrove, 5-8, Soph., F; Christy McKinnon, 5-9, Sr., F; Tiffany Whitley, 5-4, Jr., G.

Outlook: New coach Bob Rinehart, replacing Kim Hax, will carry 13 players and not have a JV. It is a young group, but all should benefit from playing in a structured setting, and .500 is possible.

Havre de Grace Warriors

1995-96 record: 2-18

Coach: Deirdre Sumpter

Top players: Kate Brochu, 5-4, Jr., G; Monique Brown, 5-5, Jr., G; Nechele Demby, 5-9, Jr., F; Allison Foust, 5-9, Jr., F.

Outlook: This new coach, who succeeds Debra Miller, has four returning juniors who are expected to provide offense and leadership. Sumpter said the focus here is teamwork, because this squad will have to pull together with a winning attitude to be successful.

John Carroll Patriots

1995-96 record: 12-13

Coach: Kathleen Shannon

Top players: Britney Whitehurst, 6-0, Sr., F; Jen Westervelt, 5-11, Jr., F.

Outlook: This should be a stronger team than a year ago with the experience of the two holdover inside players and vastly improved guard play. With more depth than in recent years, look for this group to play up-tempo at both ends of the court, pushing the ball from the start.

Joppatowne Mariners

1995-96 record: 14-11

Coach: Roy Washington

Top players: Nicole Baines, 5-4, Jr., G; Kelly Dehne, 5-11, Sr., F; Nora Quinones, 5-1, Sr., G; Kim Tooma, 5-11, Sr., C; Monique Washington, 5-9, Soph., F.

Outlook: A different style of play this year, emphasizing defense. The team will be quicker, will use more pressure, and will be better balanced, although it may take awhile to develop.

North Harford Hawks

1995-96 record: 9-10

Coach: Lin James

Top players: Chrissy Schott, 5-7, Sr., F; Amy Scotten, 5-3, Sr., G; Jessica Colletta, 5-5, Jr., G; Alison Dorval, 5-9 Jr., F; Suzanne Eyler, 5-2, Jr., G; Erika Schneider, 5-5, Jr., G.

Outlook: Plenty of guard experience and some height inside should make this a better team than a year ago.

Pub Date: 12/05/96