Looking around Howard County, most coaches are amazed at the amount of talent that remains the year after Hammond and Howard claimed state titles.
Of course, some strong players graduated, including four of five first-team All-Howard County selections. Hammond lost Kacy Williams, All-Metro Co-Player of the Year, and Sonia Keiner. Mount Hebron lost Emily Yanero, a first-team All-Metro pick, and Rachel Cimmier.
But only one of the contenders, Mount Hebron, lost more than two starters.
"Other than Hebron, I don't think any team was really damaged by graduation," said Atholton coach Paul Eckert. "A lot of teams were immeasurably helped by additions. There's no question a lot of kids are back and there are a tremendous number of Division I prospects out there. In most cases, teams are stronger due to another year's experience. The level of talent in this county -- if it is not the best, I would be hard-pressed to name another county with as much talent top to bottom."
The top, coaches agree, should belong to Hammond again.
The state Class 2A champion Golden Bears did not lose a game against county competition last season. Despite graduating Williams and Keiner, members of Hammond's 1,000-point club, the Bears return four players with Division I potential. All-Metro first-teamer Tiki Nicholson, Tameka Harrison, Kellye Townsend and Rene Hines bring back a combined average of 47 points and 32 rebounds a game.
Nicholson, a 5-7 guard who will take over the point, led the Bears in scoring last year with 16.5 points as well as contributing 6.4 rebounds and 4.4 steals. The Bears are strong at forward -- 5-9 Tameka Harrison (10.2 points, 6.0 rebounds) and 5-10 Townsend (10.1 points, 10.5 rebounds) were All-County second-teamers while 6-1 Hines was the county's top freshman coming off the bench, averaging 10 points and 8.5 rebounds.
"I believe Hammond will go undefeated in the county," said Howard coach Craig O'Connell. "Talent-wise, they have to be the team to beat. They have too many weapons. I really think second place is up for grabs. Two through eight are a lot closer than they have been. It used to be like there were two divisions and I don't think that any more."
But based on its returning strength, Howard should have an edge, too. "Any time you've got four starters returning from a state championship team, that experience alone has to be a big factor," said O'Connell, whose team won the Class 3A title last winter.
Mona Jackson, who averaged 17.5 points in the state playoffs, could emerge as one of the county's top players. Her all-around ability combined with steady point guard Rebecca Powell, defensive standout Megan Boehm and three-point threat Yamika Blackston give the Lions plenty of balance. Add inside power Chanelle Carter, who missed much of last year with an injury, and the Lions have all the ingredients to make the closest run at Hammond.
Even though Mount Hebron lost three starters, the Vikings return two top players in point guard Alisha Mosley and small forward Kathy Doyle. With so much talent around the rest of the league, the Vikings may have trouble holding onto second place in the county for new coach Pat Becker. But if injury-prone Doyle can stay healthy, she and Mosley bring a lot of quickness to a team that has the potential to be very competitive.
Glenelg returns two excellent guards in Kim Brown and Jill Younce, but the Gladiators suffered a huge blow when forward Camey Brian was lost for the season with a knee injury. Without an experienced post player, Randy Wallenhorst's Gladiators probably will find it hard to hold onto third place.
Wilde Lake, Oakland Mills and Centennial could have a lot to say about the order of finish. All three should be improved and if they click could beat anyone.
The Wildecats return six players, including All-County second-team guard Kristen Riismandel, but coach Kelly Storr also hit the mother lode of freshmen for this season, keeping five on the varsity. If the two groups blend, the Wildecats could make a big leap.
Oakland Mills also returns six, including 6-2 center Lauren McHargue and point guard Ginny Dye. Coach Teresa Waters also adds some new and transfer talents and could have the league's tallest team on the floor. If they find a leader and overcome the inconsistency of youth, the Scorpions could make a big move.
The mystery team is Centennial, a squad of talented athletes but few basketball players. Still, with Dave Greenberg taking over a team that did not win a single county game last year, the Eagles look to move up.
The Eagles also get a boost from transfer Kisha Jordan. The 5-10 forward is the only basketball player in the county to sign early, opting to attend James Madison next fall.
While Greenberg remains cautious about the Eagles, some other coaches think he will improve the team significantly. "I think Centennial is going to surprise some teams, because Dave can do it. He's definitely got the Midas touch," said Storr.
"A lot of teams were psyched out just going into Mount Hebron's gym and a lot of that had to do with Dave," said O'Connell. "Just the mere fact that he's in that gym at Centennial, I think a lot of teams will be thinking about that."
Atholton, which beat only Centennial last season, could drop to the bottom of the pack despite three returning starters, guards Lea Nichols (8.4 points) and Aisha Walcott (7.1 points) and forward Dana Strickland. Compounding the Raiders' problem of
inexperience is the loss of Nichols at least until Christmas with a stress fracture in her lower leg.
Returning players should help at Glenelg Country School, where the Dragons hope to move up in the Association of Independent Schools B Division. Guards Robin Zimmerly and Allison Hoke are back from a 5-7 team that coach Barb Brummett expects to challenge for the B Division championship against Beth Tfiloh and defending champ St. Timothy's.