Baltimore County public schools girls basketball previews

Catonsville Comets

1997-98 record: 19-8

Coach: Mike Mohler

Top players: Carol Schmoeller, 5-7, Jr., G; Danni Packer, 5-9, Soph., F; Kara MacLeod, 5-10, Jr., F; Tina Tacka, 5-6, Jr., F/G

Outlook: The Comets lost just two starters from a team that pushed Milford Mill in the regional playoffs. Still with only one senior, 5-10 C Jessica Bateman, the Comets are young even though they have seven players back who saw significant action. They also have two freshman who could contribute right away. Look for the Comets to again rank among the Hoopster's Division's top teams.

Carver A&T Wildcats

1997-98 record: 1-21

Coach: Paul Milam

Top players: Ashley Hull, 5-7, Sr., G; Tiedra Walker, 5-10, Sr., C

Outlook: The Wildcats may not be ready to contend for the Sharpshooters Division title, but they should at least win a few more games. Three starters return, including Hull (15 ppg). With five players up from the JV, Milam said the team has improved in quickness and ball-handling.

Chesapeake Bayhawks

1997-98 record: 7-15

Coach: Karen Brown

Top players: Crystal Carter, 5-7, Fr., G/F; Victoria Drummond, 5-4, Sr., G; Chanel Murray, 6-0, Sr., C; Geneva Grant, 5-10, Jr., F; Theresa Moody, 5-6, Sr., F

Outlook: First-year coach Brown is optimistic that the Bayhawks will improve on last season's mark. Three starters return and Brown said she is looking to go eight or nine players deep. Brown said her players have the fundamentals, they just need to be fine-tuned.

Dulaney Lions

1997-98 record: 17-4

Coach: Nancy Woodside

Top players: Bridget Fitzsimmons, 5-10, Sr., F; Katie Kilgalen, 5-8, Sr., G; Ashley Gansert, 5-6, Soph., G; Val Anderson, 5-11, Jr., C; Katie Curran, 5-11, Jr., F

Outlook: The Lions return all but one starter and should be a more versatile team. Fitzsimmons provides the leadership for a team that enjoyed a breakthrough season last year. With more experience and more confidence, the Lions have an effective running game and a more balanced offense. The Lions likely will give Milford Mill its best challenge for the Hoopsters Division title.

Dundalk Owls

1997-98 record: 4-18

Coach: Fred Hammett

Top players: LaRhonda Garrett, 5-9, Jr., F; Sarah Crouse, 5-5, Jr., G; Monica Gladysz, 5-11, Soph., F; Dawn Shifflett, 5-7, Jr., F

Outlook: The Owls lost three starters, but Hammett expects them to improve because they have more athletic players. Garrett, Crouse and Shifflett have been to camp and their dedication is rubbing off on the rest of the team. Although the Owls don't have the power to contend with the top teams in the Hoopsters Division, they could improve their record.

Eastern Tech Mavericks

1997-98 record: 8-14

Coach: Dave Scrivener

Top players: Elisha Carter, 5-4, Sr., G; April Stevenson, 5-4, Fr., G; Leilani Jones, 5-8, Jr., F; Constance Gregory, 5-9, Jr., F; Lynnear Johnson, 5-5, Jr., G

Outlook: With athletic ability and quickness to make up for the lack of size, Scrivener expects his team to move toward .500 in the county's Hoopsters Division. Veteran Carter, who should reach the 1,500-point mark in midseason, brings back impressive numbers (21 ppg, 4.5 spg, 3.5 apg). The juniors are solid and Stevenson has great potential.

Franklin Indians

1997-98 record: 13-10

Coach: Tim Malone

Top players: Missy King, 5-7, Sr., F/G; Sarah Molinaro, 5-6, Jr., G

Outlook: Although they lost three starters, the Indians do return seven players, including four other juniors, 5-7 G Kameia Newton, 5-5 G Shawntaye Adams, 5-9 F Tasha Keller, 5-9 F

Tanisha Keller, and a sophomore, 6-0 C Candace Harper. Malone, who moves up from JV, expects to win as many games as last year based on experience and strengths in defense and rebounding.

Hereford Bulls

1997-98 record: 20-5

Coach: Trinette Tucker

Top players: Jodi Anderson, 5-10, Jr., F/C; Tara Clarke, 5-10, Jr., F/C; Gina Allen, 5-6, So., PG; Jackie Harper, 5-7, Sr., F; Paige Nichol, 5-5, Jr., G

Outlook: The defending Sharpshooters Division champion Bulls look to be in good shape despite the loss of two starters. With the addition of Nichol, a point guard from Conn., to compliment Allen, who started at the point as a freshman, Hereford will be a guard-oriented team, complete with plenty of ball-handling ability, speed and outside shooting ability. The key is likely to be how the team does boxing out and rebounding.

Kenwood Bluebirds

1997-98 record: 5-16

Coach: Robin James

Top players: Jessica Todd, 5-7, Jr., G; Charlena Shrieves, 5-9, Sr., F; Gloria Faniyi, 5-8, Sr., F; Tominik Williams, 5-8, Soph., F; Tylisa Morris, 5-4, Soph., G

Outlook: It looks like another rebuilding season for the Bluebirds in the Sharpshooters Division. Kenwood has just two starters back and is laden with underclassmen. There is hope for the future, however, with seven promising sophomores up from a good JV squad.

Lansdowne Vikings

1997-98 record: 17-6

Coach: Terry Lathroum

Top players: Sarah Grimes, 5-9, Sr., G; Amy Cousins, 5-8, Sr., G; Dawn Johns, 5-9, Sr., F; Jen Leishear, 5-5, Jr., G