Babiak

There was talk early on that Mount St. Joseph's dynasty might be nearing its end.But if the No. 1 Gaels' dominance in yesterday's second annual Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association Tournament is any indication, then, as Gilman wrestler Tommy Knowles said: "They're like the energizer bunny; they just keep coming."Repeat champs were Jon Pitonzo (112, 25-4), No. 6 Jake Lissau (135, 29-1) and No. 1 Tyran Dungee (160, 33-2). No. 4 Dan Mattson (140, 30-3) improved on last year's runner-up finish with a 5-1 decision of Knowles as the Gaels turned back runner-up and No. 5 Gilman, 208-164.

One week into the regular season and the outlook for boys high school volleyball looks like something old and something new.The old figures to be the usual three-sided race for the county championship among defending champion Bel Air, John Carroll and C. Milton Wright.The new is expected to be a much more competitive situation with the remaining teams taking turns beating each other.Perhaps John Carroll coach Herb Simon, in an effort to put a rein on his enthusiasm, said it best when he declared, "Our problem is that even though we are better than last year, so is the competition."

Sixth-ranked Kit Doran (160) decked Perry Hall's previously unbeaten Austin Kim in 1:31 of their title bout to lead No. 8 Aberdeen to the team title in the weekend's 25th annual John Carroll Tournament.Doran was one of three titlist for the Eagles, who had two runners-up and six third-place finishers to eclipse runner-up and No. 9 Boys' Latin, 192 1/2 -162.Sophomore Brian Berger (119) got the first of four individual championship pins for Boys' Latin. Senior Tim Berger, his older brother (135)

Aberdeen Eagles1993-94 record: 15-0. Coach: Dick Slutzky.Top wrestlers: Corey Pascuzzi, 125, Sr.; DeWayne Whitley, 152, Sr.; Kit Doran, 160, Sr.; Eric Morgan, Hwt., Sr.Outlook: The rich (perennial county team champion) got richer ,, (individual champion Pascuzzi is a transfer) and this group should continue its county domination. Slutzky said, "This team has good balance with some capable wrestlers in most weight classes."Bel Air Bobcats1993-94 record: 5-6. Coach: Craig Reddish.Top wrestlers: Matt Birth, 130, Sr.; Bryan Stewart, 140, Sr.; Jason Smith, 152, Sr.Outlook: There are fewer candidates than in recent seasons, but there are some individuals who are expected to do well.

Summer development camps, with high-powered training in physical and mental skills, turned John Carroll's losing girls volleyball team into a county champion.That's the opinion of coach Greg Cullison, whose team went from the bottom of the Harford County League to the top in three seasons.Heather Pyzik and Laura Dembiec were the only seniors, and as three-year starters were able to enjoy the thrill of winning after knowing the misery of defeat."I attribute their success to experience," Cullison said.

Aberdeen Eagles1992-93 record: 18-6. Coach: Ron Petrey.Top players: Fred Cole, G/F, 6-2, Jr.; Mike Cromwell, F, 5-11, Sr.; Hosea Edwards, G/F, 6-2, Sr.; Steve James, F, 6-5, Sr.; Toby Jordan, C, 6-7, Sr.Outlook: Petrey has to settle between 5-7 juniors Lamont Kerney and Jimmy Greene for starting point guard, but regardless this will be a different group than in recent years. There is only one returning starter (Edwards).Bel Air Bobcats1992-93 record: 10-13. Coach: Bill Georg.Top players: Tony Belcastro, G, 5-7, Jr.; Ron Cardwell, C, 6-3, Jr.; Brian Grim, F, 6-3, Jr.; Ryan Kagay, F, 6-1, Jr.; Tony Mogavera, G, 5-9, Sr.Outlook: Aside from Smith, this is a very inexperienced team.

COACH OF THE YEARLynette Shelley, Joppatowne -- She produced a dramatic turnaround in the Mariners' fortunes in just two seasons. Inheriting a program that had been hard-pressed to win a game, she improved to 9-11 last year and to 18-4 this season. After a season-opening loss -- which set the stage for a lot of coach-player conversations -- the Mariners lost two regular-season games to unbeaten Fallston, and to Easton in the state Class 1A championship game. A Harford County native, she is a graduate of Joppatowne High and the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore.

The weather has done none of the spring sports teams any favors. There is only so much that outdoor teams such as track and field can do. For example, some attempts at horizontal jumps outdoors have found frozen pits.When things thaw out, some things are expected to stay the same, like the C. Milton Wright boys track team winning an eighth straight county title. However, others may change: Fallston appears poised to regain the girls track team title after yielding to Edgewood last year.Among the expected standouts this season are four who accounted for eight individual championships in the county meet a year ago -- double-winners Brian Harris of C. Milton Wright and Terry Vail of Bel Air for the boys, and Rebecca Lesesne of Edgewood and Christy Moon of Aberdeen.

The Fallston girls and C. Milton Wright boys are again the teams to beat in Harford County track and field.Fallston returns with its girls team almost intact from last year's .. lopsided win in the county meet, its sixth in eight years.The Wright boys graduated most of their top performers but retain plenty of strength to make a ninth straight boys title likely.Much can change before the championships on May 11. But picking the favorites this spring is at least simpler than picking the championship site.

AberdeenThere will be a new look for Aberdeen's boys basketball team this season, as only two players are back from last year's county champions and regional finalists (21-3).Senior Thomas Williams, at 6 feet 3 the squad's tallest player, is a holdover starter who averaged 10.8 points and 7.3 rebounds.But gone are three other double-figure scorers who helped give the team balance and speed and guided it to three straight regional finals.Paul Smith, a junior guard, is the other returning player.