Baltimore City girls basketball previews

Public schools

Carver Bears

1997-98 record: 6-10

Coach: Ayanna McClean

Top players: Brooke Campbell, 5-11, Soph., G; Melissa Richardson, 5-8, Sr., F; Nicole Webb, 5-9, Jr., F; Barnetta Berkley, 5-2, Sr., G

Outlook: First-year coach McClean played for Breezy Bishop at Western and also was an assistant to her for three years and wants to instill in the Bears what she learned, strong fundamentals and discipline.

City Knights

1997-98 record: 13-7

Coach: George Petrides

Top players: Danise Gayles, 5-10, Sr., G; Jessica Shipley, 5-8, Jr., G; Anne Phillips, 5-11, Sr., C; Hattie Carpenter, 5-11, Sr., F; Amanda Evans, 5-6, Jr., G

Outlook: The Knights, who have won 13 games in each of the past three seasons, again should be one of the city's better teams. City has three starters back but must offset about 40 points a game lost to graduation.

Douglass Ducks

1997-98 record: 3-12

Co-coaches: Shelah Irby and John Robinson

Top players: Latarsha Bowie, 5-6, Jr., G; Shanay McClellan, 5-6, So., G; Dwania Lamb, 5-8, Sr., F

Outlook: It's a rebuilding season, with only three players back and most newcomers having never played competitive basketball.

Dunbar Poets

1997-98 record: 16-7

Coach: Wardell Selby

Top players: Keisha Wills, 5-10, Jr., C; Tierra Little, 5-5, Soph., F; Tiffany Jones, 5-6, Fr., G; Constance Simms, 4-11, Sr., G; Toni Kennedy, 5-6, Fr., F/G

Outlook: Selby, in his third season, should see Dunbar's improvement from 2-14 two season ago continue. Wills (16.7 points, 11 rebounds a game) is the leading returning scorer and one of several veterans. Add to the mix several skilled newcomers -- including Gwynn Lake transfer Jones -- and the Poets could be a sleeper.

Edmondson Redskins

1997-98 record: 10-11

Coach: Elise Collier

Top players: Connie McCullough, 5-6, Jr., F; Karen Kennedy, 5-0, Sr., G; Teree Boyd, 5-5, Soph., F; Shanita Whitehurst, 6-1, Soph., C; Kimberly Terrell, 5-3, Jr., G; La-Quita Shepherd, 5-5, Sr., G/F

Outlook: The Redskins, who fell short of expectations last season, have four starters back. McCullough was last year's leading scorer (11 a game) and rebounder (15).

Forest Park Foresters

1997-98 record: 5-15

Coach: Darrin Baker

Top players: Chanea Moore, 5-8, Sr., F; Sheena Montague, 5-10, Soph., C; Charnell Halloway, 5-6, Fr., G; Vanee Johnson, 5-5, Fr., G

Outlook: Baker is counting on the experience of Moore, a transfer from St. Frances, to help lead a young team. Montague is the one returning starter.

Lake Clifton Lakers

1997-98 record: 10-6

Coach: James Monroe

Top players: Sheronda Bailey, 5-11, Sr., F/C; Tyesha Smith, 5-6, Jr., G; Sheneka Lewis, 5-6, Sr., G; Shekona Lewis, 5-6, Sr., G; Faith Moore, 5-7, Soph., G; Danielle Alexander, 5-8, Sr., F

Outlook: With a senior-laden squad and all five starters returning, Monroe expects improvement. He hopes for an up-tempo game. A go-to player is still needed, though.

Mervo Mustangs

1997-98 record: 15-5

Coach: Nancy Havranek

Top players: Tobie Ashley, 5-7, Soph., G; Camella Boyd, 5-11, Soph., F/C; Shalynn Harrison, 5-11, Soph., F/C; Takisha Robinson, 5-5, Jr., G

Outlook: With three freshman starters last season, Mervo was a surprise region finalist, success that will not be unexpected this time. Returnees include Ashley, who averaged 17 points a game.

Northern Vikings

1997-98 record: 5-11

Coach: Sean Dunn

Top players: Ghorpu Woah-Tee, 5-11, Sr., F; Lauren Owens, 5-3, So., PG; Kimberly Ragin, 6-2, Fr., C; Jazma Brown, 5-7, Jr., G; Shaunte Montgomery, 5-7, So., G

Outlook: Expectations are high for this team, which lost often, but was competitive last season, and why not? They return their leading scorer, Owens; their leading rebounder, Woah-Tee; and their best defender, Brown.

Northwestern Wildcats

1997-98 record: 17-4

Coach: Wayne Jackson

Top players: Latrice Gilbert, 5-1, Jr., G; Dawn Toomer, 5-5, Soph., G; Jessica Bordley, 5-9, Jr., F

Outlook: Only two starters return for what could be something of a rebuilding year that Jackson expects to start slowly.

Patterson Clippers

1997-98 record: 5-17

Coach: Ed Brzozowski

Top players: Nicole Scott, 5-2, Sr., G; Delcina Smith, 5-4, Soph., G/F; Latoya Carter, 5-10, Sr., C; Adisha Richardson, 5-7, Jr., F; Amelia Dosis, 5-3, Sr., G

Outlook: Brzozowski, JV coach for six years, succeeds Derek Maki, who stepped down after 14 seasons. Guard-heavy and lacking height, the Clippers look to be rebuilding.

Poly Engineers

1997-98 record: 16-9

Coach: Mark Sawyer

Top players: Ravin Chase, 5-11, Soph., F; Jamilah Rideout, 5-4, Sr., G; Mia Thomas, 6-0, Jr., C; Jasmine Jennings, 5-4, Soph., G; Tia Wilson, 5-8, Jr., F

Outlook: Graduation cost the Engineers four starters, but they still figure to be competitive. Sawyer expects his team to get a lot of points off defense, which he always preaches. Poly's inside game should be strong.

Southern Bulldogs

1997-98 record: 1-13

Coach: Bill Parker

Top players: Sherry Brown, 6-0, Fr., C; Sheronica Collins, 5-6, Soph., G; Betty Carter, 5-0, Soph., G; Lakeisha Nelson, 5-7, Soph., F; Jennifer Hoover, 5-6, Jr., F