Arlington Baptist Eagles
1993-94 record: 1-12. Coach: Mark Shaw.
Top players: Leah Clelland, 8th-grader, G; Kate Bisset, Sr., F; Rebecca Ritter, Jr., C.
Outlook: The Eagles struggled in the Christian Schools Athletic Association last season, but they hope some added height will help them improve on last year's dismal mark. Arlington Baptist has four players on its roster who are 5 feet 10 or taller, the tallest being Ritter, a 6-foot center. Clelland, only an eighth-grader, is the Eagles' best ball handler and will start at point guard.
Beth Tfiloh Warriors
1993-94 record: 8-14. Coach: John Grap.
Top players: Rachel Bleich, Sr., F; Esther Millison, Sr., G-F; Vered Natanzon, Sr., C; Lily Dahan, Soph., G; Rachel Dahan, Jr., G; Mara Levin, Soph., F.
Outlook: The Warriors lost only one starter -- Tali Rombro (15 ppg) -- from last year's squad, which bowed to eventual champion St. Timothy's in the second round of the AIS B Division Tournament. Beth Tfiloh boasts three players with three years of varsity experience in Bleich, Millison and Natanzon, but their strength is in the backcourt, where AIS All-Star Rachel Dahan returns.
Carver A & T Wildcats
1993-94 record: No record. Coach: Richard Carl Jr.
Top players: Jessica Stewart, 5-7, So., G; Carole Quigley, 5-9, So., F; April Johnson, 5-2, So., G.
Outlook: Five players from last year's 8-10 JV form the nucleus of the Wildcats' first varsity team. Carl said he's optimistic, based on last year's strong performance against some of the county's better teams.
Catonsville Comets
1993-94 record: 12-6. Coach: Mike Mohler.
Top players: Meghan Mohler, 5-3, Jr., G; Shannon Rexrode, 5-11, Jr., F-G; Christina Tanner, 5-10, Sr., F-C; Krista Bayne, 5-2, Jr., G; Kelly Fetter, 5-7, Jr., G; Jamie Funk, 5-8, Jr., G.
Outlook: Mohler takes over after guiding Seton Keough to an 18-8 record last season. He sees a lot of similarities between the two clubs. The junior-dominated team will play an up-tempo style, possibly using a four-guard offense.
Chesapeake Bayhawks
1993-94 record: 5-13. Coach: Michael Cain.
Top players: Shar Harris, 5-1, Sr., G; Tonya Kelley, 5-8, Sr., F; Chesna Selway, 5-8, Sr., F.
Outlook: The Bayhawks hope their solid defense can offset their anemic offense. If they can pull out low-scoring games, eight to 10 wins isn't out of the question.
Dulaney Lions
1993-94 record: 13-5. Coach: Melba Williams.
Top players: Lisa Rutledge, 5-9, Sr., G; Dawn Will, 5-8, Jr., F; Tracy Miksis, 5-9, So., C; Ellie Brocato, 5-5, So., G.
Outlook: Six players return from last year's squad, which fell to Patterson in the opening round of the playoffs. Rutledge (over 20 ppg) again leads the offense, but the Lions have to compensate for the loss of top players Aimee Vaughan and Beth Allen and hope a pair of sophomores can adequately run the point.
Dundalk Owls
1993-94 record: 8-8. Coach: Darryl Garland.
Top players: Katie Marchek, Sr., F-C; Becky Snowden, Sr., F-C.
Outlook: The Owls look to eclipse .500. Led by seniors Snowden and Marchek -- one of the area's best softball pitchers -- Dundalk could pull some upsets in the 3A-4A League.
Eastern Technical Mavericks
1993-94 record: 1-18. Coach: Dave Scrivener.
Top players: Dana Wagner, 5-6, Sr., F; Valerie Pferdeort, 5-6, Sr., G; Christy Cole, 5-5, Sr., G; Shanell Carter, 5-7, So., G.
Outlook: After stressing the fundamentals last season, Scrivener hopes to put those tools into action. The Mavericks are young (seven out of 12 players are freshmen or sophomores) but should be much improved.
Franklin Indians
1993-94 record: 12-5. Coach: Jill Myers.
Top players: Jill Smith, 6-0, Sr., C; Staci Lotterer, 5-4, Sr., G; Sharee Lewis, 5-3, Sr., G; Shannon Bamonto, 5-2, Sr., G.
Outlook: Last season, the Indians moved firmly into the upper echelon of the 3A-4A League. This year, they hope to go a step farther. They return four starters (eight overall) and feature a potent inside-outside game. Franklin looks to be at least as good as last year.
Garrison Forest Grizzlies
1993-94 record: 7-9. Coach: Ed Morse.
Top players: Ashley Ingraham, Sr., C; Lauren Klein, Jr., G; Courtney Austin, Jr., G; Cortney Merrill, Sr., F; Eleanor Brooks, Sr., F; Maggie Shoemaker, Jr., F; Megan Hankins, Sr., F; Karie Reed, Fr., G-F.
Outlook: The Grizzlies are thin with only eight players on their roster, but what they lack in depth they make up for with experience and leadership. "All of our starters are back and among them are three kids off our championship hockey team [Austin, Klein and Shoemaker], two AIS tennis champions [Brooks and Ingraham], and another who is student body president [Merrill]," said Morse.
Hereford Bulls
1993-94 record: 14-6. Coach: Steve Power.
Top players: Nancy Zentz, 5-11, Jr., F; Colleen Rockstroch, 6-0, Sr., C; Melinda Sawyer, 5-6, Sr., G.
Outlook: Power takes over the program after successfully coaching the Hereford boys since 1987. Last year, the Bulls made it to the region final before losing to Joppatowne. This year, however, only eight girls came out for the team. Zentz, last season's top scorer and rebounder, leads a quick but thin squad.
Kenwood Bluebirds
1993-94 record: 8-10. Coach: Patience Martin.
Top players: Melissa Wosk, 5-6, Sr., G; Kelli Mull, 5-7, Sr., F; Danniel Reid, 5-6, Sr., F; Megan Schoff, 5-9, Sr., C.
Outlook: First-year coach Martin will guide an experienced team featuring eight returning players.
Loch Raven Raiders
1993-94 record: 18-6. Coach: Ken Witts.
Top players: Robyn Harry, 5-6, Sr., G; Kelley Powell, 6-0, Sr., C; Nicole Froman, 5-9, So., F; Maura Lyng, 5-5, Sr., G.
Outlook: The Raiders, who lost to Towson in last year's region final, return four starters, including first-team All-County selections Harry and Powell. Witts said his team needs better rebounding and ball-handling to challenge in the states. The Raiders get a stiff challenge early, opening at Towson on Dec. 9.
Lansdowne Vikings
1993-94 record: 10-10. Coach: Ron Bareford.
Top players: Aimee Cascio, 5-5, Sr., G; Nicole Cascio, 5-5, Sr., G; Tina Harris, 5-6, Jr., G; Colleen Kelly, 5-11, Jr., F-C.
Outlook: Lansdowne is young and inexperienced, and may be in for a down year. Twins Aimee and Nicole Cascio will try to provide some punch from the outside, while Kelly will patrol the paint.
Lutheran Saints
1993-94 record: 10-10. Coach: John Buetow.
Top players: Rachel Seaborn, Sr., G; Kris Wollman, Jr., F; Nicole Velte, Soph., G; Jennifer Werner, Soph., F; Amanda Minor, Soph., G.
Outlook: The Saints, who opened the season with wins over Towson Catholic and Beth Tfiloh, have a balanced attack. "We're thin and we're young, but I think we'll have a good year scoring by committee," said Buetow.
Maryvale Prep Lions
1993-94 record: 12-4. Coach: Teddi Willis.
Top players: Meg McLaughlin, Sr., C; Bridget Curry, Sr., G; Meghan Doyle, Sr., F; Michelle Kenney, Sr., G; Gretchen Booker, Sr., F; Argie Alezrogiannis, Sr., F.
Outlook: The Lions return six seniors from a squad that went 12-4 last year before bowing to Roland Park in the second round of the AIS A Division Tournament. "We have a lot of experience, but the league is going to be tough this year," said Willis. "I think we'll be a bit shaky early, but we should be strong toward the end of the season."
McDonogh Eagles
1993-94 record: 18-3. Coach: Seth Kushkin.
Top players: Alaina Lawson, Sr., F; Laurie Schwoy, Jr., G; Julie Baker, Jr., F; Mary Urban, Fr., G.
Outlook: McDonogh lost three starters to graduation, including All-Metro performer Sonia Chase (Maryland), and two underclassmen didn't come out for the team, but Kushkin isn't going to panic just yet. "We lost Sonia, but everyone in the program has expectations of winning another AIS championship," said Kushkin.
Milford Mill Millers
1993-94 record: 13-4. Coach: Pam Wright.
Top players: Kisha Watkins, 5-10, Sr., F-G; Dyana Mitchell, 5-4, Fr., G; Jenna Braxton, 5-5, Fr., G; Chrystal Dent, 5-11, So., C.
Outlook: An infusion of good young players should keep this team near the top of the 1A-2A League. Freshmen Mitchell and Braxton likely will see a lot of time at guard, while Dent, a sophomore, will start at center. Eventually, the Millers could be .. better than last year's team that made it to the regional semifinals.
Mount Carmel Lions
1993-94 record: 15-10. Coach: Rob Bonner.
Top players: Erin Reed, Sr., G; Larissa Paulino, Sr., G; Angie Rose, Sr., F.
Outlook: With nine players and all five of his starters back, Bonner is optimistic about his team's chances. The Lions, who play an independent schedule, began the year by winning the Cougar Preseason Invitational. "I think we can get 20 wins this year," said Bonner.
Mount de Sales Sailors
1993-94 record: 15-7. Coach: Bill Held.
Top players: Amy Buck, Sr., C; Christy Buck, Jr., G; Ana Martinez, Sr., F; Lisa Banbury, Sr., F; Danielle Peterson, Sr., G.
Outlook: The Sailors went 7-7 in the Catholic League last season after going 1-13 a year earlier. Mount de Sales lost point guard Katie Santry to a knee injury, but the Buck sisters, Amy (6-foot-1) and Christy (5-6), are back and healthy. "Last year was a big
jump for us," said Held, whose team went from eighth place to fourth in the Catholic League.
Notre Dame Prep Pirates
1993-94 record: 9-8. Coach: Claire Reisler.
Top players: Maggie Kilroy, Jr., G; Megan Hyle, Jr., G; Marie Bull, Jr., C; Cory Mettee, Sr., G; Lynn Connors, Sr., F; Katie Hargest, Sr., C; Kim McCombe, Fr., G.
Outlook: NDP will rely on junior guards Hyle and Kilroy for the bulk of its scoring, but unless the Pirates' outside shooting improves, they could be in for a long season. "I'm very positive because we have a lot experience and we've improved on some things this year," said Reisler, whose team lost to Roland Park in the first round of last year's AIS A Division playoffs. "We were inconsistent last year from the outside, but our shooting has improved."
Oldfields
1993-94 record: 6-5. Coach: Sven Jensen.
Top players: Liz Hoogenboom, Sr., C; Laurel Mullen, Sr., F; Jacquette McGhee, Fr., G.
Outlook: Two of Oldfields' top players from last year's team transferred and another decided to play soccer, leaving Jensen "scrambling" to field a team. "We're in a real bind this year," said Jensen, who only had 14 players come out for both the varsity and JV teams. "We won't be able to compete on the A Division level, so we'll have to adjust our schedule a bit and focus more on playing B division teams."
Overlea Falcons
1993-94 record: 0-20. Coach: Craig Smith.
Top players: Sr., Carrie Parker, C; Jen Hercek, G; Jen Van Hoose, G-F.
Outlook: The only way for the Falcons to go is up, and with a new coach and a deeper roster, they look to do just that. Smith came to Overlea via Northern (Baltimore) High.
Owings Mills Golden Eagles
1993-94 record: 13-6. Coach: Brian Yaniger.
Top players: Shannon Jones, 5-6, Sr., G; Allie Coufal, 5-6, Sr., G; Kristi Sachs, 5-8, Sr., C.
Outlook: The Golden Eagles had a breakthrough season last year, and hope to continue that trend. Sachs, their leader in points and rebounds, is one of three returning seniors who will lead this quick team. After years of losing, Yaniger said a winning attitude has made all the difference.
Park Bruins
1993-94 record: 11-5. Coach: Robin Willard.
Top players: Alexa Wilder, Sr., G; Jessica Schiavone, Sr., G/F; Kris Heard, Sr., C; Rebecca Shapiro, Fr., G; Kim Smith, Fr., G.
Outlook: The Bruins return three starters from last year's team that went 11-5 before losing to eventual champion McDonogh in the second round of the AIS A Division Tournament. Back for Park are Heard, Schiavone (17 ppg) and Wilder (15 ppg). "Our strength will be our defense," said Willard. "We have five kids who can score this year, so we won't be dependent on one or two players."
Parkville Knights
1993-94 record: 3-15. Coach: Nancy Gross.
Top players: LaTanya Jones, 6-0, Jr., F; Debbie Curran, 5-5, Jr., G.
Outlook: If preseason practice is any indication, the Knights will be an improved team. Gross said her players are jelling as a unit. A good group of freshmen also may make its mark.
Patapsco Patriots
1993-94 record: 9-13. Coach: Nancy Woodside.
Top players: Sam Porter, 5-6, Sr., G-F; Maureen Fairley, 5-5, Sr., G; Shannon Schaeffer, 5-9, Sr., F-C.
Outlook: Patapsco will rely on a number of quick but short players to run the fast break. After surprising Lansdowne last year in the first round of the playoffs, the Patriots again hope to sneak up on county opponents.
Perry Hall Gators
1993-94 record: 5-14. Coach: Linda Caccavalla.
Top players: Alisha McClinton, 5-6, So., F; Jessica Loehr, 5-6, Sr., G; Krisan Pfeifer, 5-5, Sr., G; Bri Davis, 5-10, Jr., F; Shannon Burke, 5-9, Sr., F.
Outlook: More than half of this team is new, including its coach. Caccavalla said the Gators may have enough height and speed to challenge in the 3A-4A League. Several players have moved up from the 20-1 JV.
Pikesville Panthers
1993-94 record: 5-9. Coach: Ken Lane.
Top players: Gail Alvarado, 5-8, Sr., F; Beth Cohen, 5-7, Sr., F; :Laura Green, 5-6, Sr., G; Julie Stein, 5-6, So., G.
Outlook: The Panthers return virtually the same team as last year, chock-full of good athletes but without much height. Lane said the experience factor should be enough to help his team win the handful of close games it lost last season.
Randallstown Rams
1993-94 record: 21-3. Coach: Chris Hodge.
Top players: Anika Lee, 5-2, Sr., G; Kellee Franks, 5-7, Sr., G; Katrina Johns, 6-2, So., F; Shavon Henley, 5-11, So. G; LaTonya Chambers, 5-11, Jr., F.
Outlook: Gone from last year's state semifinalist is All-County forward Nyota Mitchell, but she left behind a talented and athletic group of young players. First-year coach Hodge, a former boys coach in St. Mary's County, says the squad will be more team-oriented than last year, using a motion offense to better distribute the ball. Lee, a transfer from Woodlawn, will run the point, and Johns, at 6-2, will be a big target inside.
St. Paul's Crusaders
1993-94 record: 4-9. Coach: Suzie Friedrich.
Top players: Jen Collins, Sr., C; Tehma Smith, Jr., F; Samantha Murray, Soph., G; Laura Peace, Soph., F; Tice Burke, Sr., G.
Outlook: The Crusaders return seven players, including all five starters, from a team that struggled to a 4-9 record a year ago. Smith, who was averaging 12 points a game before breaking her ankle last season, is back and healthy. She's joined by Murray, a 34 percent shooter last year from three-point land, and Collins, a 6-2 center. "After our five starters, we're very young," said Friedrich, who saw her team lose its opener to Severn last week, 55-34. "We have to avoid injuries."
St. Timothy's
1993-94 record: 7-4. Coach: John Bonn.
Top players: Missy Cramer, Sr., G; Aisha Wright, Sr., F.
Outlook: St. Timothy's returns only one starter (Cramer) and its sixth player (Wright), but after that the team is a "pretty inexperienced bunch." Two non-starters are back and four girls have been elevated from the JV, but Bonn is hoping their enthusiasm will be able to carry them when their AIS B Division season opens Jan. 5 against Garrison Forest. "I'm relying on our two seniors for leadership," said Bonn, whose team won the B Division Tournament last season. "They're going to have to show us the way."
Sparrows Point Pointers
1993-94 record: 0-20. Coach: Linda Day.
Top players: Jennifer Judd, 5-4, Sr., G; Amy Garrison, 5-7, Jr., F; Yozmin Gay, 5-10, Jr., C; Colleen Dillon, 5-6, Sr., G.
Outlook: The Pointers' goal is to climb out of the 1A-2A League basement under first-year coach Day. They return three players and don't have much height.
Towson Generals
1993-94 record: 19-1. Coach: Bev Snyder.
Top players: Nicki Ramer, 5-9, Sr., G; Katie Walker, 6-2, Sr., C-F; Kerry Koch, 5-11, Sr., F; Katie Barnes, 5-10, Sr., G-F; Sara Lev, 5-9, Fr., G.
Outlook: Although top player Sarah Weaver has graduated, the Generals should again be the class of the 1A-2A League. With five players over 5-9, they will have a huge height advantage in most games. Towson's goal is to make it farther than last year, when it lost to Fallston in the region final.
Towson Catholic Owls
1993-94 record: 11-6. Coach: Lyle Weiss.
Top players: Katie Rust, Soph., F; Lillian Samuels, Soph., G; Kaneda Phoukieo, Jr., G.
Outlook: The Owls have four players back from last year's squad, but only one of them was a starter, so it looks like another rebuilding year. "We just hope to survive," said Weiss, whose team finished in a three-way tie for the AIS regular-season title last year with St. Tim's and Lutheran. "At this point, my hope is to be competitive, and hopefully we'll improve enough over the season and gain the experience so that we can threaten for the title at the end of the year."
Western Tech Wolverines
1993-94 record: No team. Coach: Jim Smerowski.
Top players: Kia Royster, 5-2, Jr., G; Ayorkor Adjei, 5-2, Jr., F.
Outlook: The upstart Wolverines have good speed but no size. The young team (with just two juniors) showed promise last year at the JV level, finishing 11-5 playing an independent schedule.
Woodlawn Warriors
1993-94 record: 13-7. Coach: Mary Duckworth.
Top players: Sheraie Darby, 5-9, Sr., F; Ali Gailunas, 5-4, Sr., G; Cheri Howard, 5-9, Sr., C; Akilah Griffin, 5-6, Jr., G-F.
Outlook: The Warriors ended last season with a tough loss to powerful Walbrook in the playoffs, and begin this year with more height and depth. One thing they don't have is experience, especially after point guard Anika Lee transferred to Randallstown.