One of the more pressing questions already has been answered: John Brady is returning as Annapolis boys basketball coach.
But are his young Panthers equipped to make another run at a state championship? Or will Broadneck, with its senior-dominated lineup, finally get the Panther off its back?
And what about Old Mill, a region semifinalist last year that pushed the Bruins to three overtimes before bowing out of the playoffs? Or perhaps Severna Park or Meade, both expected to show marked improvement, will find their way to Cole Field House.
"I see a better team in Glen Burnie, and a much, much better team in Chesapeake," said Old Mill coach Paul Bunting, further clouding the postseason picture."It could be a very interesting year. It comes down to the breaks --who gets them."
The 4A League has a new look with the addition ofSouthern, South River and Northeast -- all playoff teams last year in the 3A-2A League. Queen Anne's also joins the fray, as the league separates into two divisions.
Meanwhile, St. Mary's has joined Severn and Archbishop Spalding in the Maryland Scholastic Association C Conference.
The following is a look at the county public and private school teams:
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Annapolis coach John Brady is two wins shy of 300, with a chance to attain the magic number against his alma mater, Mount St. Joseph, on Dec. 16.
The Panthers, who went 21-4, losing to Parkdale of Prince George's County in the state semifinals, feature seven sophomores -- most seasoned by their participation in the Annapolis Summer Men's League.
"I think they are more experienced than a lot of people realize," Brady said. "They played 14 games in the summer league, then four more in College Park (summer tournament). And they're going to get playing time. With our style of play, we need at least eight or nine guys to be ready."
The defending Region IV champions, who lost All-County performers Dennis Edwards (27 points a game) and Delmore Howard (15.7) return Anne Arundel County Sun Player of the Year Rob Wooster, a 6-foot-5 senior swingman whoaveraged 14.1 points last season.
"Rob is going to be real strongthis year," Brady said. "Last year, he really stepped up and got thejob done. I expect the same from him this year."
Brady said the Panthers' defense is the key to turning loose his up-tempo offense.
"The defense is looking extremely good, and I think it'll generate lots of offense. (Marvin) Brown and (Lozonnah) James are very quick, maybe the quickest defensive combo we've had here in a while," he said.
Annapolis was responsible for three of Broadneck's five losses last season, including a 71-69 defeat in the 4A Region IV finals. And that was with now-departed point guard Johnny Williams in the Bruins'lineup.
"He's irreplaceable," said Broadneck coach Ken Kazmarek. "I don't expect any of these guys to try to replace him."
That's good news for 6-1 senior Maurice Washington, who inherits the point guard duties. Washington averaged 15 points in his final nine games last season.
He joins seniors Jeff Vincent (6-1), Matt Weimer (6-2), Greg Jackson (6-3) and Dave Britton (6-5) in an all-senior starting lineup. Vincent is Broadneck's leading returning scorer at 13.5 points, and Weimer led all Bruin rebounders at 8.1. Britton, who takes overthe center spot vacated by 7-2 Boris Beck, and Jackson saw marginal playing time last year.
With so much experience, Kazmarek said theBruins are "way ahead of where we were last year at this time."
While Broadneck was reaching the 20-win plateau for the third consecutive winter, Old Mill closed its season with a 72-70 triple-overtime loss to the Bruins in the regional semifinals.
The Patriots, winners of 17 games, only lost four players to graduation. But all four were starters.
The fifth starter, senior guard Ravon Austin, has missed all of practice with ligament damage in his left knee. Old Mill's leading returning scorer at 13 points a game, Austin is coming off a 20-point performance in the playoff loss to Broadneck.
Other returnees include 6-3 senior forwards Terrell Eldridge and Austin Johnson,two reserves who Bunting said "easily could have started" last season. Junior guard Steve Smith and junior forward Izzy Deschaine also will play more this year.
Perhaps the king of the county will emergefrom Severna Park. Coach Wayne Mook said the Falcons have "a ton back" from last season, when they won 10 games before losing to Meade inthe regional quarterfinals.
The starting lineup boasts a trio of 6-5 players: center Rich Riffle (11 rebounds), guard Scott Brown (17 points) and forward Gerald Cager.
A key addition is Arundel transfer Craig Dorsey, a point guard capable of running Mook's up-tempo offense. Of course, with the Falcons' height, "I can't say we're in any hurry to shoot," said the 11th-year coach.
Meade coach Butch Youngis in no hurry to place his Mustangs among the favorites for the Region IV title, no matter what his peers say. After all, he has to replace Ron Hubbard and David Beck, who combined for 29 points a game.
A big part of Meade's fortunes rest on 6-8, 228-pound senior pivotman Brian Parker, a Division I prospect.
"We're not really dependingon any one player in particular," Young said, "but Brian could be that one guy that could become a go-to guy."
Glen Burnie coach TerryBogle said he'll be disappointed if his team doesn't finish above .500, especially with nine players returning.
The Gophers were a long way off last season with a 5-17 record, but that squad only had twoseniors and struggled with its inexperience.
This year's edition has six seniors and six juniors. Two newcomers, 6-4 senior Brian Wareand 6-6 junior Bill Dykhuis, give Glen Burnie additional height inside. They should nicely complement 6-6 senior center Jeff Gross and 6-2 senior forward Ted Wolf.
After assisting the football team to its first playoff appearance in the school's second year of existence, North County coach Brad Wilson seems ready to erase the memory of last year's 4-18 finish.
"We've got every player except one coming back from last year's team," he said. "We didn't have anyone over 6-1 last year, but now we've got more size. I'm looking to run up and downthe floor a little bit faster. We should have a fast-break style."
Junior guards Shawn Moyer (6-2) and Rob Miller (6-1) and sophomore guard Reggie Moore (6-0) were starters last year. They'll be distributing the ball to the likes of 6-6, 230-pound sophomore center Jarryn Avery and 6-4 junior forward Eric Howard.
With five seniors returning from last year's 9-13 squad, Chesapeake coach Tom Kraning is "themost optimistic I've been since I've been here."
Those seniors include frontcourt players Mike Lind and Wes Van Wambeke and backcourt veterans Justin Hall, Jason Jubb and Mark Hall.
"I think maturity will be a key for us. You won't see us take too many bad shots, or fall apart if someone makes a run on us," Kraning said.
Arundel has some big shoes to fill in departed third-team All-County selection Trevelin Queen (14.6 points), but Coach Gerald Moore thinks his front line of Graham Niemi, Richard Abrams and Eric Funk and a solid defensewill improve the Wildcats' chances in the 4A League.
Senior guardGreg Proctor gives the 'Cats an outside scoring threat, as they try to recover from the loss of transfer Craig Dorsey.
South River hasseven returning veterans, including four players who stand 6-4 or better -- placing the Seahawks among the most experienced and tallest teams in the county.
"We've got all the tools we need. Now, we justhave to keep refining everything and keep taking steps forward instead of back," said 15-year coach Ken Dunn, whose team was 10-11 last year, losing to Thomas Stone in the 3A Region III quarterfinals.
A pair of 6-2 senior guards, Albert Lee and John Bolster, are listed aspossible starters, along with 6-4 senior swingman Edmund Hicks, 6-5 junior forwards Darren Hill, Robert Randall and Jason Fullmer, and 6-7 senior center Fred Goodson.
The first five teams on South River's schedule, including Southern (Dec. 19), defeated the Seahawks last year. And if Southern's veteran coach, Tom Albright, can help it, theBulldogs again will try to run the Seahawks off the floor.
"With this team, I'll be able to do what I've always wanted to do," said Albright, who will carry 17 players. "There are no out-right starters, but that doesn't bother me. Any one of these kids can play at any time. We're going to try to force the issue and run until the other teamis out of gas."
Four seniors return from last year's 13-11, junior-laden squad: guard Curtis Holland (5-11), forwards Jesse Marks and Gary Makell (both 6-0) and center Chris Thomas (6-3).
But the top returning scorer and rebounder is 6-0 junior forward Terrell Jones.
"I guarantee you that you won't see the same starters all year long," Albright said.
Northeast coach John Barbour could use some of Albright's excess. For now, though, he's just hoping his 13th season won't be unlucky.
"This year, our experience is down to just three players," he said. "Lack of court time and experience will hurt us. Gene (Pleyo) is the only full-time returning starter."
But the 6-1 senior is a good one to have back, especially after last year, when he averaged 14.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
With five players standing 6-3 or taller, Coach Lee Dove is hoping to raise Archbishop Spalding's program to new heights.
The center of attention this season will be 6-7 senior Bryan Wade, who joins fellow big men Ray Paquin (6-3) and Dave Justus (6-3). Getting the ball down low will be a top priority for Cavalier guards Pat Mohr and Jeff Paxon.
For Jim Doyle's Severn squad, the future is now.
The Admirals return four of five starters from last year's team that posted an impressive 15-7 record.
Severn junior guard Jake Mack is expected to miss a few of the Admirals' early non-conference games whilehis leg heals from a football injury, but should return in time to help his team make another run for the title.
After taking a beating in the MSA B Conference last year, St. Mary's is hoping to heal itswounds this season as a member of the C Conference. But the Saints will be hard-pressed to do so with only one senior, Rory Kiernan.
Annapolis Area Christian School first-year coach Scott Gilman hopes his team can press its way to respectability in the Christian School Athletic Association.
The Eagles will rely on seniors Brent Moore and Brent Wolf and junior Rob Covington to improve on last year's 5-15 record.
Key School coach Ivan Leshinsky hopes five returning starters will enable the Obezags to better last year's 2-11 record.
Among the returnees is 6-1 senior forward/center Drew Uroskie, who averaged 15 points and 12 rebounds. Sophomore guard Eric Leshinsky averaged nine points.
Granite Baptist made tremendous strides in its first two years of existence, going from 2-8 to 12-8 and gaining a berth in the Maryland Association of Christian Schools finals.
Coach Rick Scarfi said junior guard/forward Shad Baab is the Braves new "go-toguy," though others are capable of scoring.