Baltimore County
Public schools
Carver A&T; Wildcats
1998 record: 8-6
Coach: Dave Wrezezinski
Top players: Jason Feller, Sr., M; Justin Baublitz, So., M; Steve Rakowski, So., A-M; Jeremy DeHaven, Sr., A.
Outlook: Four starters are back. "We're looking to go .500," said Wrezezinski.
Chesapeake Bayhawks
1998 record: 1-12
Coach: John Baker
Top players: Sean Mooney, Sr., D; Ryan Course, Sr., M; Josh McCarter, So., A; Robert Frank, So., M; Ciaffa Jones, So., D.
Outlook: The Bayhawks are more experiences and, Baker said, "will definitely win more than one game."
Dulaney Lions
1998 record: 15-2
Coach: Gary Schreiber
Top players: Josh Tracy, Sr., D; Steve Will, Sr., A; Tim Bardzik, Sr., D; Scott Williams, Sr., D; Ryan Burrows, Sr., M; Steve Staniewski, Jr., M; Mark McClewee, Jr., M; Bryant Will, Jr., M.
Outlook: Every defensive player from last year's Class 3A-4A state runner-up is back, including both goalies, Phil Reed and Nick Mowbray. Second-team All-Metro Tracy is headed for Ohio State, Steve Will to North Carolina. "This will be one of the best chances we have" of winning states, Schreiber said.
Dundalk Owls
1998 record: 2-10
Coach: Brian Tallon
Top players: Tony Trianfo, Sr., A; Larry Williams, Sr., G.
Outlook: A program on the rise, with numbers that are higher than ever, said athletic director Lawrence Hall.
Eastern Tech Mavericks
1998 record: 7-4
Coach: Barry Heddings
Top players: Brian Johnson, Jr., M; Nate Andrew, Jr., A; Justin Combs, Jr., A; Matt Alt, Jr., D; Chris Markel, Jr., D; Justin Spangler, Jr., A.
Outlook: Mavericks lost just two starters, have 23 players back. "We're expecting to have a good season," Heddings said.
Franklin Indians
1998 record: 9-3
Coach: Earl Deickman
Top players: John Schuster, Sr., A; Andy Schuster, So., A; Zack Bolster, So., A; Steve Posner, Sr., M; Scott Landis, Sr., M; Kevin King, Sr., D; Steve Mays, So., D.
Outlook: Great. With their entire attack, midfield and goalie back, and having to replace only one defenseman, the Indians look forward to challeging county Class 1A-2A powers Hereford and Towson.
Hereford Bulls
1998 record: 11-5
Coach: Whit Morrill
Top players: Luke Gilbert, Sr., A; Chris Lauer, Sr., A; Rob Bateman, Jr., D; John Hanley, Jr., D; Todd Smith, Sr., M; Josh Bateman, Sr., M; Matt Curtis, Jr., M.
Outlook: Class 1A Hereford returns the bulk of last season's lineup, including its top two scorers, 6-foot-5, 200-pound Gilbert (45 goals, seven assists) and Lauer (34, 27). Rob Bateman (60 ground balls) returns for a team whose difficult schedule includes state runners-up Dulaney (Class 3A-4A) and Towson (Class 1A-2A), Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association B champ Friends, MIAA B runner-up John Carroll, and Harford County power Fallston.
Kenwood Bluebirds
1998 record: 5-6
Coach: Russell LeBlanc
Top players: Matt Greenfield, Sr., D; Wayne Leimbach, Sr., D; John Bowman, Sr., D.
Outlook: Defense will be the strength, but that's not because of a general lack of proven players. The Bluebirds return eight starters but "offensively, we're looking for someone to step up and take control," LeBlanc said.
Lansdowne Vikings
1998 record: 6-6
Coach: Todd Hawkins
Top players: Greg Rush, Jr., G; Tony Semanik, Sr., M; Roy Wenek, Jr., D; Shaun Mooney, Jr., A.
Outlook: "We have a lot of holes to fill, but we hope to improve," said Hawkins, who believes his team can compete in Division II. Hawkins will rely on second-year starters Rush and Semanik for leadership.
Loch Raven Raiders
1998 record: 8-6
Coach: Chuck Weitz
Top players: Drew Seskunas, Sr., D; Chris Kuligowski, Sr., D; Noah Friedman, Sr., G; Matt Miller, Jr., A; Josh Cordell, Jr., M.
Outlook: Seskunas, Kuligowski and Friedman are the big three returnees, but the graduation of the entire starting midfield and attack needs to be dealt with. Miller transferred from Calvert Hall, and Cordell from Perry Hall Christian. "We lost 10 seniors to graduation, but we have some newcomers who should do OK," Weitz said.
Overlea Falcons
1998 record: 1-11
Coach: Tom Gere
Top players: Tom Handakas, Sr., D; Brian Price, Sr., M; Paul Wingerd, Sr., M; Brian Kinlein, Jr., A; T.J. Morrow, Sr., A.
Outlook: With a turnout of 30 players, several of whom are athletic seniors, "I have reason to think we'll improve," said Gere.
Owings Mills
1998 record: 10-2
Coach: Tom Carey
Top players: Justin Myers, Sr., D; Adam Metzger, Fr., D; Scott Silverstein, Jr., A; John Patchett, Jr., A; Shane Kaplan, Sr., M; Casey Yourow, Sr., M; Chris Hebert, So., M; Andy Bertell, So., G.
Outlook: "We have a nice blend, and in our division, we should be pretty good," said Carey, whose team competes in Division III. "This bunch of guys is well ahead of where we were last year."
Parkville Knights
1998 record: 3-10
Coach: John Cooper
Top players: Dion Blazakis, Sr., M; Jeff Hahn, Sr., D; Bob Richardson, Sr., A; James Towers, Sr., D; Sung Cho, Sr., M; Hansoo Jin, Sr., M.
Outlook: The Knights are fairly young and "want to build on last season maybe double our outcome," said Cooper.
Patapsco Patriots
1998 record: 6-6
Coach: Bill Halagarda
Top players: Nick Mabry, Sr., A; Matt Layman, Sr., D; George Becker, Sr., M; Travis Johnston, Jr., M.
Outlook: The Patriots return four starters and could surpass last season's results "if the offense can move the ball," Halagarda said.
Perry Hall Gators
1998 record: 3-8
Coach: Bill Bongers
Top players: Jesse Wasmer, Sr., M; Tim Garrison, Sr., D; Nick Fleisher, Sr., G.
Outlook: Only three starters from last year's team are back, but the Gators are more balanced and hope to take advantage of improved chemistry.
Pikesville Panthers
1998 record: 2-10
Coach: Tano Arrogancia
Top players: David Misler, So., D; Ben Herbst, Sr., A; Andrew Schwartzman, So., A; Leeor Avigdor, Sr., M.
Outlook: Six starters are back, with the strength being in the attack. "We can surprise some people," Arrocancia said. "We had a freshman-oriented team last year, and they gained experience."
Towson Generals
1998 record: 11-5
Coach: Ben Berquist
Top players: Jesse Markowitz, Sr., G; Gavin Kimball, Sr., A; Ben DeFelice, Jr., M; Phil Bell, Sr., M; Josh Zennarro, Sr., A; David Swift, Jr., A; Chris Brown, Jr., D.
Outlook: The Generals were Class 1A-2A state runners-up, including All-American and second-team All-City/County goalie Markowitz. But the starting defense graduated. "We got three private school transfers, and we're trying to mesh their styles," Berquist said.
Western Tech Wolverines
1998 record: 2-10
Coach: Jason Blind
Top players: Jake Dellarose, Sr., A; Mike Florey, So., A; Peter Lemmen, Jr., D; Warren Drell, So., M.
Outlook: With six returning starters, the Wolverines should improve. "We're starting to get freshmen with recreation league experience, and so our talent pool has increased," Blind said.
Woodlawn Warriors
1998 record: 9-4
Coach: Donnie Brown
Top players: Terence Dorsey, Jr., M; Chaz Rollins, Sr., A; Brian Webb, Jr., M; Charles Powell, Jr., G; Roland Dobbins, Jr., G; Quoc Pham, Jr., D; David Melkus, Jr., A.
Outlook: Nineteen of of last season's 24 players, including Division III scoring leader Dorsey, are back. Brown had 75 try out and will have a JV this season.
Private schools
Boys' Latin Lakers
1998 record: 12-7
Coach: Bob Shriver
Top players: Jamie Daue, Sr., M-A; Mike Thomas, Sr., M; Greg Hendler, Sr., D; Macke Cronin, Sr., D; Hunter Lochte, Sr., M; Jon Singer, Sr., M; Kris Edwards, Jr., A; Matt O'Malley, Jr., D; Dan Lamonica, Jr., A; Dan Berger, Jr., A; Ryan Lafferty, Jr., G; D.
Outlook: The Lakers return second-team All-Metro Lamonica, who scored 26 goals and had 46 assists, and several other starters. Berger (32 goals, 15 assists), Edwards (22, four) and Lochte (26, 15) add scoring punch.
Calvert Hall Cardinals
1998 record: 5-7
Coach: Brian Kelly
Top players: Tony Russo, Sr., G; Chris Stebbings, Sr., D; Sean Ireland, Sr., D; Craig Rhode, Sr., A; Bryan Mulford, Sr., M; Matt Alrich, Sr., A; Mike Norton, Sr., A; Jon Edwards, Jr., D; Sean White, Jr., D; Dwight Bowman, Jr., M.
Outlook: The Cardinals boast four Ohio State-bound players in Russo and Ireland, who played their childhood lacrosse together in Fallston's rec leagues, and Norton and Mulford, from Lutherville's rec leagues. For depth, second-midfielders Russell Radebaugh, Kevin Frew, Carl Marinelli and Dan Stringer will be critical.
Loyola Dons
1998 record: 12-5
Coach: Joe McFadden
Top players: T.J. Morton, Sr., A; John Cummings, Sr., A; A; Brian Miller, Jr., A; Kyle Bell, Sr., M; Nick Miceli, Sr., M; Devin Weatherley, Jr., M; Tom Melenson, Sr., M; Wes Bollinger, Sr., M; Gino Myles, Sr., M; Andy Boston, Sr., D; Ricky Schultz, Jr., D; Mike McKenna, Jr., D; Nick Antol, Sr., G; Tim McGinnis, Sr., G.
Outlook: If the Dons are to reach the playoffs, they'll know what their chances are early as next Friday's league opener with MIAA A Conference runner-up St. Paul's. Morton (Penn State), Cummings (Ohio State) and Miller are left-handers who also can bury shots from the right. Bell is headed for North Carolina, Miceli, Ohio State. Schultz is formidable defensively. Antol brings experience in the goal, but McGinnis lurks.
McDonogh Eagles
1998 record: 17-2
Coach: Jake Reed
Top players: Joe Rosenbaum, Sr., D; Owen Daly, Sr., M; Matt Primm, Sr., A; Rob Scherr, Sr., G; Bobby Benson, Sr., A; Brad Dumont, Sr., M; Ryan Floyd, Sr., A; Evan Weinberg, Sr., D; Brian McGregor, Sr., M; Brian McGregor, Sr., M; Brennan Adams, Sr., A; Walid Hajj, Jr., M.
Outlook: Little doubt the Eagles return the MIAA A Conference's most talented starting 10 players, with Rosenbaum, Daly, Primm (Harvard), and Scherr (Johns Hopkins) being first-team All-Metro returnees, Benson (Johns Hopkins), second-team All-Metro, and both Floyd (Yale) and Dumont, second-team All-City/County picks.
Park Bruins
1998 record: 8-7
Coach: Lucky Mallonee
Top players: Wayne Hickock, Sr., A; Dan Klein, Sr., A; Alex Baldwin, Sr., A; Harris Feinsod, Jr., M; Ryan Ungaretti, Sr., M; Justin Gundlach, Sr., D; Alex Eifler, Jr., D; Josh Oidick, Fr., M.
Outlook: The Bruins' entire attack is among six returning starters. "We're in a classic rebuilding season," Mallonee said. "Hopefully, the seniors can pick up the slack."
St. Paul's Crusaders
1998 record: 13-4
Coach: Rick Brocato
Top players: Trey Whitty, Sr., D; Alex Kopicki, Sr., M; Matt Latchford, Sr., D; Doug Mueller, Sr., M; Jay Wich, Sr., M; Conor Ford, Jr., A; Pat Connelly, Jr., D; Brendan Gill, So., A; Jack deVilliers, So., M; Reed Bouchelle, So., M; Paul Spellman, Jr., G.
Outlook: The Crusaders return 10 of out their top 17 players from last year's MIAA A Conference runners-up, including a formidable faceoff rotation of Kopicki, deVilliers and, often, Bouchelle. Whitty (Virginia), Latchford (Massachusetts), Mueller (Georgetown), Kopicki (Pennsylvania) and Wich (Harvard) are all college-bound players. Ford scored 30-plus goals in back-to-back seasons, and Gill is a capable scorer.
Special section
A special pullout section featuring the 1998-99 All-Metro boys basketball, girls basketball and wrestling teams will appear Sunday in Sports.
Preseason Top 15
Rank Team '98 W-L
1. McDonogh 17-2
2. Gilman 16-1
3. Boys' Latin 12-7
4. St. Paul's 13-4
5. Loyola 12-5
6. St. Mary's 8-9
7. Severn 6-9
8. Calvert Hall 5-7
9. Broadneck 12-3
10. Dulaney 15-2
11. Mt. St. Joseph 10-13
12. Mount Hebron 10-6
13. Arundel 9-6
14. Friends 13-1
15. Fallston 17-4
Pub Date: 3/19/99