Once again the area's top teams are in Anne Arundel County, but perennial favorites Chesapeake and Northeast do not seem invincible as in past years.

Two-time defending Class 4A state champion Chesapeake will have to compensate for the loss of several key players to graduation, specifically pitcher Amy Jakubowski, The Baltimore Sun Player of the Year last season. But the Cougars are well-coached and figure to have a potent lineup, so they are the team to beat until proven otherwise.

Northeast is seeking its fifth straight Class 2A state title, but will probably have a tougher time this season. The Eagles return one full-time starter.

With Chesapeake and Northeast appearing somewhat vulnerable, the opportunity is there for county rivals North County, Severna Park, Old Mill and Glen Burnie to surge ahead of the two powers in the rankings.

Baltimore County's 4A-3A favorite is defending champion Dulaney, while Towson is expected to set the pace in the 2A-1A Division.

North Carroll is the favorite in Carroll County, as the Panthers attempt to capture their third consecutive Class 3A state championship.

1. CHESAPEAKE-AA

The Cougars, 21-3 last season, lost a lot when Amy Jakubowski, The Baltimore Sun's Player of the Year, graduated. Veterans Becky Thiele (first base), Natalie Black (catcher) and Nancy Yaeger (third base) will lead the team. Thiele led the Cougars in steals and hit .500 last season. Junior outfielder Stacey Necessary is back and, along with junior Tracy Starke, should supply the Cougars with power.

2. NORTH COUNTY

Seven starters return for coach Sue Fitchett from last year's 12-6 squad, including senior pitcher Karen Hay (11-5, 1.81 ERA). Hay, who batted .371, had two no-hitters to give her 16 for her career. She will get support from backup pitcher Kristie Reinhardt. All-county third baseman Tina Armstrong (.512) returns, and catcher Lisa Garrison will start for the fourth straight season.

3. ARCHBISHOP SPALDING

With senior windmiller Kim Sheridan back, coach Jim Nemeth's Cavaliers (18-1) are a virtual lock to repeat as Catholic League regular-season and tournament champions. Sheridan enters the season with 588 career strikeouts and a 0.62 ERA. Last season, the right-hander struck out 180 in 96 innings for a 14-1 record and 0.15 ERA. Sheridan, who has a 45-7 career record, also batted .320 and drove in 14 runs. The Cavaliers will get additional offense from second baseman Amy Councilman and catcher Jen McKeldin, both four-year starters.

4. SEVERNA PARK

First-year coach Wayne Mook has sophomore pitcher Jen Spampinato (11-5), who should improve. The lineup is filled with heavy hitters, such as seniors Kerri Schmale (.407), Dana Gosewisch (.383) and Lana Boarman (.333).

5. OLD MILL

First-year coach Lori Darnall takes over a team (13-7) that has lost to Chesapeake in the regional playoffs the past three seasons. All-Metro outfielder Jennifer Schmittle, who also won eight games and struck out 108 with a 0.98 ERA last year, returns. Schmittle also batted .327 with seven triples. The pitching is deep, with junior Karen Jacobson, who saw spot duty last season, and senior Jennifer Bostak, who was out with a knee injury. Leading hitter Sarah Storrs (.481) also is back.

6. NORTHEAST

One starter -- senior Stacy Reynolds (2-0, 0.00 ERA) -- returns from a 19-3 squad that won its fourth straight Class 2A state championship and the seventh in the past 10 years for coach Lynn Pitonzo. But several key players are up from a winning junior varsity to join senior Shannon McCaugey (shortstop, third base) and senior utility players Rae Ann Detrey and Jen Vickery.

7. GLEN BURNIE

The Gophers (16-4) were hit hard by graduation. But All-Metro senior center fielder Erin Sutton (.440, 19 steals) returns, as does senior shortstop Heather Smith (.368). The pitching is a question mark, but senior Stacey Jordan, who didn't allow a run in two appearances, is expected to settle in. The team is young, but the talent is there for a return to the playoffs.

8. CENTENNIAL

The return of senior pitcher Jodi Meitl is good news for the Eagles, 15-6 and co-Howard County champions last season. Meitl, 11-2 with an 0.80 ERA as a sophomore, missed all of last season after she was injured in a car accident. Three other key players return: junior catcher Kari Chichester (.347), senior right fielder Becky Joeckel (.380) and junior shortstop Kelly Butler (.400).

9. NORTH CARROLL

The Panthers (19-4) have a solid nucleus from last year's Class 3A state championship team. The outfield is set with returning seniors, led by Vickie Jackson. Seniors Tina Martin and Shelly Woodburn will anchor the infield. North Carroll will have to find someone to replace three-year pitcher Michelle Ament, who graduated.

10. GLENELG

Coach Chuck Struhar's Gladiators (14-6) aren't far behind Centennial in Howard County. All-county outfielder Tanissa Dorsey, a first-team All-Metro basketball player, will move to third base. Dorsey, a senior, hit .316 and stole 31 bases last season. Also back are junior shortstop Lory Wineman (.349, 24 runs, 14 RBI) and senior pitcher Lisa Martin (13-6, 2.76 ERA).

11. INSTITUTE OF NOTRE DAME

The Indians (13-5) have finished second in the Catholic League to Spalding the past two seasons. Coach Jerry Hahn has all-league senior pitcher Christa Engleman (5-5, 1.08 ERA) back, as well as sophomore third baseman/pitcher Lisa Riley. Riley, 8-0 with a 0.64 ERA, also hit .467. Another key returnee is senior catcher Diana Hargis (.379).

12. JOHN CARROLL

With three returning all-county selections, John Carroll (15-2) could again be the class of Harford County. Leading the pack will be junior pitcher Bonnie Lawson (13-1, 2.70 ERA), who struck out 154 and walked 152 in 101 innings. Also back are junior shortstop Amity Torbit (.475 in the leadoff role) and junior second baseman Katie Nietubics (.409).

13. DULANEY

All-county seniors Laura Makowske (pitcher) and Courtney McClelland (catcher) have been battery mates for four years on the varsity. They led Dulaney to an undefeated regular season and a regional final appearance last spring. The Lions start five seniors.

14. ABERDEEN

The Eagles are led by senior pitcher Rachel Cassady, who can throw the windmiller at nearly 60 mph with accuracy and has four pitches, including a newly developed changeup. She was 13-6 a year ago. The problem for Aberdeen will be hitting.

15. WESTERN

The 1991 City-Wide champion lost one starter -- shortstop Tina Parks -- from last season's squad that went 12-1. Tracy Gruzs, a junior pitcher, was credited with all of Western's decisions and also batted .418. Sonya Jones, a senior catcher, hit .365.