The Loch Raven girls basketball team will be relying on youth this season. Dulaney will have experience on its side.
Loch Raven coach Bo Brooks is in his first season and knows it will be difficult to compete against teams that have more returning players.
"We are inexperienced as far as a varsity team," said Brooks, who inherits 10-11 squad from Katie Cox. "I am starting a freshman (Natalie Berkey) at point guard. We have five sophomores, five juniors and two seniors."
Dulaney is in a different situation for coach Jess Szymanski. The Lions return eight players from a team that went 14-8 and lost in the Class 4A North regional quarterfinal to Perry Hall.
"I think we could be better than we have been the last couple of years," said Szymanski, a fourth-year coach whose team went 16-7 two years ago.
Both teams plan to press their opponents.
For Loch Raven, junior center Lexi Tan (6 feet), the Raiders' lone returning starter, provides versatility. Tan, who is committed to the University of Vermont for lacrosse, can play inside or outside.
"I like her versatility," Brooks said. "If I need her to be the point guard, she can be the point guard. If I need her to be the shooting guard, she can do that too. She is very athletic."
Point gaurd Berkey (5-4) is expected to have an immediate impact because of her all-around skills.
"She is a very smart player and fundamentally solid for such a young age," Brooks said. "She's a good defender and good shooter."
Junior Robyn Memphis (5-5) will be Berkey's backcourt running mate.
Sophomore Madison Williams (5-7) and sophomore guard/forward Jayla Ragsdale (5-6) complete the starting lineup.
"I am the type of coach who likes to play at a fast pace," Brooks said. "I want my team to cause a lot of turnovers and get layups on the fastbreak. I like to play a full-court press most of the game."
Brooks hopes junior guard Alex Hamel (5-5), sophomore forward Jade Joyce (5-5) and junior center/forward Erin Muir (5-7) blossom as the season progresses.
"I have a very good building block for next year," said Brooks, whose team opened the season Friday with a 53-46 victory over Lansdowne. "I have 11 of 13 players coming back."
Sophomore guard Erica Carpenter (5-5), senior forward Ashley Hatz (5-8), senior forward/guard Tayjah Hunter (5-8), junior guard Elizabeth McKinley (5-5) and junior guard Kemi Robinson (5-3) are vying for minutes.
Dulaney
The Lions have veterans at guard with returning starters and seniors Casey Durmowicz (5-6) and Ellie Mathey (5-7).
They'll get backcourt help from senior Kayla Wheeler (5-7) and juniors Jasmyn McKnight (5-7) and Imani Halley (5-7), a transfer from Randallstown.
"It's probably the quickest team I've had," Szymanski said. "I want to press more than ever."
Junior forward Nicole Sharpe (5-9) and senior forward Briana Briggs (5-10) will anchor the frontcourt.
Sophomore forwards Lauren DeGori (5-7), Klarissa Harvey (6-2) and Christin Cohee (5-10) and junior guards Ashley Powell (5-6) and Ariana Graham (5-5) hope to contribute.
Dulaney's opener against Kenwood Friday was postponed because of a bomb scare at Kenwood that proved to be false. No makeup date has been set.