Oakland Mills Scorpions
1993-94 record: 5-15. Coach: Dave Appleby.
Top players: Mike Hill, 6-3, Sr., F; Irving Conwell, 6-2, Jr., G; Matt Wichita, 6-7, Sr., C; Tari Mitchell, 6-3, Sr., G/F; Tony Howard, 6-4, Sr., C; Quan Davis, 5-6, Soph., G; Fardan Carter, 6-1, Soph., G; John Sunderdick, 6-2, Jr., F.
Outlook: The Scorpions, coming off their most disappointing season ever, have reason for optimism. Conwell, one of the league's top players and a Division I prospect, transferred from Hammond. "He's being recruited by the University of Tennessee," said Appleby. Add Conwell's scoring prowess (17.1 ppg ) to first-team All-County Michael Hill's 21.5 average, and Oakland Mills should be a tough offensive team. Hill is the only returning Scorpions starter, so inexperience could be a weakness. Howard promises to be the team's best rebounder. Wichita is a good passer. Mitchell is fundamentally sound and intelligent. Davis will play point guard. And Carter eventually should break into the starting lineup. "We have ability, quickness, some shooters and are hard workers," Appleby said. "We'll be a good team." In the past 11 years under Appleby, the Scorpions have won six county titles, four regional crowns and one state championship. But after a six-year reign as county champions, the Scorpions have had two straight losing seasons. Three players from last year's team have transferred, including Jamal Greene (Centennial), Seikou Hayes (Howard) and Brian Ford (Hammond).
Wilde Lake Wildecats
1993-94 record: 14-11. Coach: Paul Ellis.
Top players: Carl Jackson, 6-7, Jr., C; Brian Sterling, 6-3, Sr., F; Will Edison, 6-0, Sr., G; Nick Thomas, 5-10, Sr., G; Aaron Peterson, 6-2, Sr., F; Tony DeSantis, 5-10, Sr., G; Devon Ali-Chester, 6-3, Jr., F; Donald Wallace, 6-1, Jr., F; Jeff Johnson, 6-1, Jr., F; Eric McDuffie, 5-9, Jr., G.; Sean Jefferson, 5-9, Soph., G; Barrett Wraggs, 5-9, Soph., G.
Outlook: The Wildecats graduated three outstanding players, point guard Terence Butler, top scorer and first-team All-County Seth Willingham and forward Sule Carpenter, from a team that lost in the state finals to Milford and missed a county title by one game. It was a team that won the close ones -- it was 9-1 in games decided by six or fewer points and 3-0 in one-point games. They return Jackson, who should be a major force inside. He averaged eight points and 10 rebounds. Sterling and Edison, two of eight football players on the team, are returning and can shoot. Defense is DeSantis' strength. Wallace has good fundamentals. Newcomer Ali-Chester will get lots of playing time. "We'll be small and will depend on quickness," said Ellis, who is in his 31st season. "We'll be competitive -- as good as last year. We may score a lot more than last year."