themambas Maryland Girls Basketball League Preview

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themambas ’09-10 WCAC Girls High School Basketball Preview

The GOOD COUNSEL FALCONS took the top spot in one the nations top leagues last season winning both the regular season crown and the tournament championship with three seasoned veterans leading the way in Coach Splaine’s system of controlled transition and spot up precision. GOOD COUNSEL (28-6) beat league rivals HOLY CROSS and ELIZABETH SETON a total of 5 times and running their streak to 19 games before dropping the city championship game against HD WOODSON and a pair to SETON KEOUGH and ST. FRANCES at the Bishop Walsh tournament. Coach Splaine has won 261 games in his 9 years at the school and his FALCON teams have either finished first or tied for first in each of the last four seasons. The FALCONS will need to reload after counting on seniors SHEAHIN, SNYDER and LYLES to lead the way and consistently execute night in and night out and continue the FALCON flight through the WCAC. Coach Splaine will look to a bevy of juniors and underclassmen to defend it’s title including guards ‘BOO’ ABSHIRE and KIM TULLIS, forwards SYDNEY LEWIS and BIANCA HOOD along with freshman LINDSAY SPANN, FAITH RANDOLEPH and 6’1 AMANDA FIORVANTI.

ELIZABETH SETON (24-7) will be a force again in the WCAC with Georgia Tech-bound TYUNNA MARSHALL displaying her athletic talents and leadership one more time before heading to the ACC. MARSHALL will be reunited with forwards ALEXIS MARTIN and JULIA WEATHERLY and junior point guard ALYSSA ALBANESE. The Bishop Walsh runner-ups beat KEOUGH by 15 in the opener last season before falling to the GATORS in the Walsh final and after beating ST. FRANCES in the semis. MARSHALL, a first team All-Met selection last season is the catalyst and the glue for the ROAD RUNNERS and does all the intangibles while putting up the points. Look for the ROADRUNNERS to be the early-morning favorite in the WCAC by a beak over the likes of HOLY CROSS, BISHOP MCNAMARA, ST. JOHNS and the aforementioned FALCONS.

The TARTANS from HOLY CROSS (23-10) finished tied for second in the regular season and came up just short in the WCAC final to GOOD COUNSEL. Six of the TARTAN 10 losses were to GOOD COUNSEL, ST. FRANCES and RIVERDALE BAPTIST. The TARTANS bring back junior AKILAH BETHEL, a long athletic wing that also causes havoc in the lane and on the glass. Guard MONIQUE McCANTS returns for the TARTANS but with the departures of LAUREN CHASE and TYONNA WILLIAMS to RIVERDALE and the loss of MACKEY the once fortified backcourt now becomes a need. The TARTANS picked up a two key transfers including sophomore PANDORA WILSON who was an honorable mention All-MOCO selection as a freshman at MAGRUDER and LANAY MONTGOMERY a 6’4 sophomore post prospect .HOLY CROSS will look for immediate front court help as well with ANYA and HENRY matriculating.

BISHOP McNAMARA (16-13) is ready to roll after an up and down season that had the ‘STANGS facing one of the toughest schedules in the country. The MUSTANGS not only faced the brutal WCAC schedule but played 5 either state champions or runner-ups the previous year from North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. This huge challenge coming as the ‘STANGS looked to replace five starters from a year before. Coach Surratt is gone and Coach Hairston is in, coming in with his five straight Maryland state titles while at the helm of ELEANOR ROOSEVELT and inheriting a battle-tested crew. The ‘STANGS will be spearheaded by a three guard unit of seniors CIERRA STRICKLAND, MICHEA BRYANT and junior TAYLOR BROWN. BRYANT will be the ringleader, STRICKLAND the slashing wing and BROWN, who comes off a spectacular summer, another table setter and chief antagonist on defense. 6’1 Senior ASHLEY MILES and 6’2 sophomore DIONNA JOYNES headline the frontcourt for the very deep MUSTANGS.

The CADETS from ST. JOHNS have as talented and deep roster as any of it’s cohorts in the WCAC and look to improve on a so-so 14-13 season. MARISSA BROCK is back to anchor the front line while guards, junior MARIAH JONES and sophomore MOORIAH ROWSER return for the CADETS as does senior NIKOLA ZIMMER. Underclassmen JADE CLARK and LINDSAY ALLEN are talented and sure to get an experience this season along with senior JOELLE DAVIDSON (CORNELL). Despite losing WILSON and JAMES to the next level, the CADETS have enough to make some noise this year in the WCAC.

PAUL IV return senior BLAIR KONISZIWSKI (12.3 pts) and 6’0 junior MEREDITH MEDSARIS but lose point guard JESS ESCORZA who transferred to FREEDOM SOUTH RIDING. ST. MARYS RYKEN bring back a pair of 6’+ players back in wings MOLLY GRUND , 6’3 junior post CIENA DARDEN and sophomore KATIE MCCORMICK who averaged 13.4 pts a game last season while sophomore guard DIANA LOGAN transferred to RIVERDALE BAPTIST.

Title contenders; SETON, BISHOP MAC, HOLY CROSS

All-Met watch list; MARSHALL, (SET), STRICKLAND (BMC), BRYANT (BMC), BETHEL (HC), BROCK (ST J), MARTIN (SET), BROWN (BMC), WILSON (HC), MILES (BMC), ROWSER (ST J), JONES (ST. J), MONTGOMERY (HC)


themambas ’09-10 ISL League Girls Basketball Preview (brief)

GEORGETOWN VISITATION (28-6) remains the top team and returns its best player in NICOLE KRUSEN, a smart dead-eye shooter who has amassed over 250 three made throughout her 3 year career. The 5’3 lightning quick ANDREA JONES, an All-ISL selection a year ago returns for GRACE BRETHREN. Sophomore TAYLOR JENKINS, a 6’0 versatile wing headlines a nice underclass for BULLIS and talented junior TIFF MINOR returns for MARET. In the ‘A’ Division, GEORGETOWN DAY should be the team to beat with seniors DARIAN BRIDGERS and SALLY MARX returning. NIKKI AZZARA, the 5’5 point guard for ST. ANDREWS returns as well.

themambas picks; G VIS in AA and GT DAY in A > All-Met watch list; KRUSEN (GV), MINOR (MAR), BRIDGERS (GD), JENKINS (BULL), JONES (GB)

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themambas ’09-10 IAAM High School Girls Basketball Preview

The IAAM 6-year championship run ST. FRANCES came to an abrupt end when the PANTHERS got swamped by the GATORS from SETON KEOUGH in a 58-38 rout for their first IAAM crown since ’00. The PANTHERS prowled along the season with little threat from either prey or fellow predators. ST. FRANCES had beaten KEOUGH twice, once by 15 and another by 7 exactly a week before the third installment which was for all the marbles. The PANTHERS had beaten WESTERN and ARUNDEL by double-digits, beat HOLY CROSS by 8 and absolutely destroyed CITY by 40 in a game that resembled an early-Tyson knockout. A quick barrage that set the tone was all that was needed to decide that one within minutes. Well Buster Douglass was waiting at the league dance in the form of SETON KEOUGH who had gotten extremely hungry after an eight year drought. The GATORS flipped the script in the league final and initiated a flurry that the PANTHERS could never recover from. Senior BUSSIE put everything she had on the line and came up with 22 points and 14 rebounds while sophomore AMBER SINGLETARY was the complimentary piece to put the PANTHERS away, scoring 17 points including two big threes to dispel any run by the 6-time defending champs.

KEOUGH (25-8) took that stepping stone and continued to march over every other opponent throughout their extended post season by winning both the BISHOP WALSH tournament and the inaugural nationally televised NHIS tourney in April. After capturing the IAAM title, the GATORS went on to beat half of the remaining top 6 teams in Maryland by topping Good Counsel, ‘Liz Seton and #1 ranked RIVERDALE BAPTIST who were missing two key starters to a date with BOO WILLIAMS. Now BUSSIE moves on and the young GATORS have been joined by a pair of seasoned veterans. SINGLETARY, the 2nd team All-Met, is back for her junior year and rejoined by fellow classmates, 6’0 forward ACHIRI ADE and 6’4 LIZ BROWN. SINGLETARY averaged 12 points and 4 steals per game last season while both ADE and BROWN got accustomed to the GATOR system and steadily improved in the paint. The champs got some talent infusion when they picked up CHELSEA DUKES and AJA WALLPHER, two seniors that have both been through some competitive battles. Both were considered leaders of their former teams and will no doubt have a big impact on this year’s race for the IAAM title. DUKES gives the GATORS versatility, length and stretches the GATOR depth while WALLPHER gives them a proven point guard who was co-POY in HOCO as a sophomore before tearing her acl just before her junior year. RIANNA FRAZER, BRIANNA HARRISON and MIRACLE DAVIS shore up the bench for KEOUGH and will need to provide punch to stay with this years very deep PANTHER pack.

ST. FRANCES (24-3) is poised to take back the title with a lineup that features three 3-year veterans and a handful of new pieces that will fit in very well with the unit affectionately known as the‘Ant Hill Mob’. SHATYRA (‘Lil Mama’) HAWKES, two-time All-Met, returns with her 17 point average and array of offensive weaponry to go along with the fantastic ‘St. Franny’ transition game complimented by the veteran DEANNA HARMON. This veteran backcourt duo be joined by All-IAAM forward BRIANNA (‘Breezie’) HUTCHENS who did all the dirty work needed and registered 12 points and 10 rebounds a a game last season. HAWKES has a pull-up that matches the best of ‘em and HARMON is the steady rock who plays both ends and finishes as well as anyone. HUTCHENS is a leader by example who keeps the communication lines open throughout the game and plays the post like those 5 inches bigger. The PANTHERS received a talent influx as well with 6’2 post JONELLE BRITT anchoring and fellow transfer sophomores DOMINIQUE HAGINS and QUAY MALLOY making their talents felt and just adding to the overall quality and speed this team already possessed. The loss of BRISTOW almost broke up the ‘mob’ but now with the additions of HAGINS and MALLOY the PANTHERS are sure to cause sheer havoc for their perimeter opponents. Both HAGINS and MALLOY made their presence felt as freshman in both AACO and UCBAC respectively last season. Note; BRITT and MALLOY may be out indefinitely.

This was supposed to be the year of the CAVALIER. Two seasons ago it looked as though this may be the year where SPALDING (19-8) would break through the imaginary barrier that had them in the backseat riding behind both ST. FRANCES and SETON KEOUGH. But due to several transfers and some newcomers that never came, the CAVS are again sitting in the third spot behind both their familiar foes. Don’t sleep, the CAVS have talent, just maybe not enough to catapult them over the PANTHERS or GATORS. MAGGIE MORRISON returns for her junior year after earning 2nd team All-Met honors last season. The talented point guard brings both floor leadership, scoring and shooting to the SPAULDING lineup. MORRISON will be rejoined by a pair of second team All-IAAM’ers in SHERAE SWINSON and SHAQUILA CURTIS. Those three young but veteran players will be joined by fellow junior BRYA FREELAND who give the CAVS some perimeter help for MORRISON and additional speed and the newest CAVALERS, freshman CAMILLE CALHOUN, ALEAYA EPPS and soph RAVEN MAKINS will be counted on early and has the talent to fill those expectations. CALHOUN will be counted on heavily and EPPS will see time early and often.

ROLAND PARK (13-14) returns sophomore All-IAAM guard DAISY ALEAZE and senior LAUREN CARTER after coming up short in the IAAM playoffs to SPALDING, losing 32-28. McDONOGH (16-12) brings back senior TAYLOR VIRDEN and juniors TARYN DURRANT and CANDACE HENDRICKS while MERCY (17-13) has AVA TRAGESER returning.

Title contenders; ST. FRANCES, KEOUGH, SPALDING

All-Met watch list; HAWKES (ST F), HUTCHENS (ST F), SINGLETARY (KEO), MORRISON (SPAL), ADE (KEO), DUKES (KEO), SWINSON (SPAL), ALEAZE (RP), WALLPHER (KEO), HARMON (ST F), BROWN (KEO), CURTIS (SPAL)


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>>> ST. PAULS (26-1) won the IAAM ‘B’ Conference crown over ST. MARYS 37-28 to win their first crown. JANIELLE FLEET returns for ST. PAULS and MEL MOSNIAK returns for ST. MARYS. FRIENDS won the ‘C’ conference title over PARK.

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themambas ’09-10 Baltimore City Girls High School Basketball preview


The big winner of the last seasons annual Final 4 at the RAC was ‘Charm City’, a forgotten entity as far as state titles go, who not only broke through a tough streak this decade at the RAC but brought home 2 state titles and joined the boys side to bring back a fistful of championships to the city. Both CITY and DIGITAL HARBOR won their first girls basketball state championships for their respective schools. Since Dunbar’s run from ’00-03, the city had sent 11 teams to the final four over that 5 year period and only came home with New Town’s vacated title to Southside in ’05. Stopping streaks was the theme as CITY (25-3) broke through a 169 year drought (….‘What, the MPSSA didn’t exist in 1840’?) as the KNIGHTS brought back their first title of any kind to ‘The Castle on the Hill’. For City College, it capped off it’s most successful season ever with a thrilling 59-51 overtime win over previously undefeated RIVER HILL in the state title game For DIGITAL HARBOR (25-3), it was redemption from a year prior when they lost by 2 in the state semifinals to eventual champion POCOMOKE. On the micro-level within its boundaries, both CITY and DIGITAL took a back seat to the WESTERN DOVES who won their fourth straight city title and still haven’t lost a league game since ’05. Though the DOVES have owned bragging rights in ‘Charm City’ since ’05, it’s been since ’95 that the DOVES have owned their own state crown despite sending 10 teams to the final four in that span. As far as significance between the players, anyone that has been to a WESTERN/CITY game the last few seasons has no doubt the weight put on this regular season duel though the DOVES look to fly higher.

There are rare instances that we have two state champions who keep their teams basically intact (though CITY will miss Barksdale), with a half dozen returners each and both their leading scorers returning that they would again take a back seat as far as expectations go to a team that just lost their four-year star and their second leading scorer. Now is one of those instances. WESTERN (20-7), who do bring back 7 players with legitimate experience themselves stockpiled 3 new impact players in the offseason. AMIRAH and JANNAH TUCKER headline the marquee while 6’5 post INFINITI ALSTON brings a upside both literally and figuratively. AMIRAH TUCKER (UMBC) settles in for her final year at WESTERN and brings a 6’0 guard that can play and shoot lights out. JANNAH is now one of the top prospects in her class nationally and will be expected to be the ‘go-to’ ala RICHARDS from day 1. Incredible talent that has the size of her talented sister combined with great athleticism and an on court intuition that belies her age. ALSTON will prove to be an impact player throughout her career and could be a top national recruit with dedication and endurance. Sky is the limit at this stage for both this ‘fab fresh’ combo. The DOVES though will need their talented veterans to step up along with the newcomers as the DOVES step up on a national stage big time when they travel to the desert and compete in the Nike Tournament of Champions second session before the new year. ASHLEY CRAIG, MIKEY STEVENSON and BRIELLE WARD lead the contingent of DOVES returning. CRAIG averaged 8’6 points and 3 assists last season while getting 54 steals. STEVENSON is versatile and will be asked to do the intangibles and lock down on ‘d. WARD has improved steadily and will be a definite post presence who also possesses athleticism that will allow the DOVES to have both a size and athleticism advantage against most of their opponents. WARD averaged 6.7 rebounds and had 29 blocks as a sophomore. Seniors IEASHA BELL and JENESIS JONES return as do juniors RAVEN MCKNIGHT and TANEKA SPENCE who all have experience. JONES scored 11 as a sophomore in the state semifinal and SPENCE connected on 11 of 20 three’s last year.

The 1A champion DIGITAL HARBOR, now competing in 2A, bring their top 6 players back and add a top point guard transfer from a 19 win IAAM club. ASIA LOGAN (PITT) returns for her final season following a year in which the All-Met averaged 19 points and 15 rebounds a game. LOGAN also produced when it mattered most when she registered 21 points and 13 rebounds in the final versus SURRATTSVILLE including going 13-14 from the line. LOGAN will be joined again by junior guard KE’ SHARA FLOYD who scored 17 in the final as a sophomore and displayed last season that she is a more than capable scorer. The RAMS received a boost in the form of JANAY BRINKLEY, the talented SPALDING transfer who will provide the facilitating as well as some scoring punch for the RAMS. She will be joined by three-year vets, point guard NIKKI GROOM and forward MARKIA BECKWITH. With DIGITAL moving up to 2A, the KNIGHTS from CITY will not only be a rival within their league but a rival within their region as they fight to get to the RAC.

CITY has the talented LASHAY TAFT headlining the half dozen returners for the KNIGHTS. The All-Met did lose four teammates to graduation from last year’s championship team including the table setter BARKSDALE who led the KNIGHTS in the championship game. TAFT was also a major factor as she scored 18 points, had 8 rebounds and 6 assists in the final. TAFT will be counted on heavily again on the perimeter as the KNIGHTS look to replace BARKSDALE but does have more than capable frontcourt help in KAYLA DILLARD and DOMINIQUE DAWSON. DILLARD also supplied 9 rebounds in the title game and along with DAWSON and a pair of graduates that gave the highly-touted posts from RIVER HILL all they could handle. CLARISSA SHROPSHIRE and JUMANAH GILES are among the returning state champions and the KNIGHTS will look to SHROPSHIRE and the posts for scoring.

The ENGINEERS from POLY (14-9) 3-year starter CYNTHIA JOHNSON who will be the main cog and seniors MORIAH GOODMAN and MEL WILLIAMSON , a transfer from TOWSON CATHOLIC. Last season, POLY dropped from the city’s ‘big 4’ with their 54-48 loss to DUNBAR. The POETS (16-8) bring back their explosive scoring sophomore SHELLEY WRIGHT who comes off a freshman campaign in which she averaged 16.6 points as a freshman. Over in the east is talented junior CIERRA WEBB at PATTERSON who herself put up big numbers by averaging 19.1 points and 7.6 rebounds as a sophomore.

Title contenders; WESTERN (3A), CITY (2A), DIGITAL HARBOR (2A), DUNBAR (1A)



All-Met watch list; LOGAN (DH), TAFT (CITY), TUCKER,J (WES), TUCKER,A (WES), BRINKLEY (DH), FLOYD (DH), WARD (WES), WRIGHT (DUN), WEBB (PATT), STEVENSON (WES), CRAIG (WES)



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themambas ’08-09 Baltimore County Girls High School Basketball Review

The COMETS from CATONSVILLE captured the county championship with a 50-36 win over RANDALLSTOWN. The COMETS went undefeated throughout league play though they had 7 wins decided by single digits. WILLIAMS stays in the county but at UMBC and POLK moves on leaving post MAYA TORAIN to battle for herself and the COMETS to keep the streak alive. While the COMETS finished league play at 11-0 in the division, PERRY HALL, DULANEY and FRANKLIN all finished at 9-2. In the 1A/2A division RANDALLSTOWN went 10-1 with the one loss coming to PIKESVILLE who finished tied for second with EASTERN TECH at 9-2.

NEW TOWN never has a chance to see Team Tucker come to fruition, at least in the county, and will look to regroup. DUNDALK received good news when junior wing TRACY CARRINGTON decided to return.

Baltimore County has won just two girls basketball state championships in the last 21 years with TOWSON winning in ’98 and MILFORD MILL winning in ’05. Baltimore County has sent 51 teams to the final four and a 17-34 overall mark in the semifinals and a 5-12 mark in the finals.



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Etc,etc,etc….

NUMBERS

>>> 2005 >> The year the DOVES last lost a city league game.

>>> 1995 >> The year the DOVES, the legendary Breezy Bishop and Coach Silver last won a state championship despite 10 trips to the RAC since then.

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themambas ’09-10 PGCO Girls High School Basketball Preview


Eleanor has left the building. And she took all the hardware with her. ELEANOR ROOSEVELT became the second Maryland school and first in 4A to win 5 straight state titles and make its claim as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the RAC. Last years class went 96-2 in the state over their four year campaign to go with their titles and their legacy. Now a new day is dawning in PG as ELEANOR ROOSEVELT (25-1) loses its key ingredients that made the RAIDERS the champs with the chips. Both in the trophy case on their shoulder. Coach Hairston departs to BISHOP MCNAMARA and four-year stalwarts HALL and APPLEWHITE along with 4 other RAIDERS move on to the next level. With the mass exodus, PG is now wide open with the formerly appointed Cinderella’s trying to take home the glass slipper.

For several years now both FLOWERS and WISE have put out several talented teams only to take a back seat in ‘Rosie’s ride. FLOWERS (20-6) was the last Maryland team to defeat Roosevelt with a 31-30 win two seasons ago. However, the JAGUARS have lost some key talent as well with GORHAM and WATERS leaving but return two talented junior guards in DOMINIQUE PERSON and RAVEN YELDER and senior guard LAUREN BROWN (avg 7.5 pts) who averaged 7.5 a game for the JAGS last season. This time around they may take a backseat to another nemesis in WISE (19-5) who have been riding along shotgun with FLOWERS behind ‘ROSY the last few seasons. This season the PUMAS bring back 8 players that have received significant time including 4 seniors who have destiny on their mind. JANAY BORUM, LESLIE SLAYTON and TIARA SMITH spearhead the PUMA attack with speed and effort. BORUM averaged 8.6 points and 6.5 assists last season while taking 86 steals. SLAYTON averaged 9.3 points and had 61 steals while SMITH contributed 8 points and 4.5 rebounds a game last season. SMITH can score when needed as evidenced by her 12.4 average as a sophomore at LARGO. BRI GIBSON, who will attempt to fill some of the shoes of departed senior POPE-ADDISON, will patrol the paint for the PUMAS after averaging 4.3 points and 5.4 rebounds as a junior. JORDAN SWAILS-WILSON provided punch as a freshman by averaging 8 points and 6 rebounds as a freshman. Junior guard DEANNA WATERS provides experience and more speed to the PUMA backcourt while sophomore MYA DUDLEY and freshman ELIQUA BROOKS provide the PUMAS depth and firepower. Last season WISE finished second in the regular season while FLOWERS finished third and the two swapped positions in the regional with FLOWERS coming out on top in the regional semifinal.

BOWIE (14-9) brings some bite to PG 4A this season as the BULLDOGS return a talented cast as they attempt to fill the void and vacuum left by the RAIDERS. The ‘DOGS bring back one of the top scorers in JAS McINTOSH who averaged 15.5 points a game last season while knocking down 40 threes and bring in talented junor guard KEYANNA TATE, a transfer from COOLIDGE (DC). Four other BULLDOGS return that will contribute significantly if the ‘DOGS are to make a run including junior LIONEL MACKLIN who averaged 6.5 points and 4.4 rebounds a game last season as a sophomore and seniors LASHAUNA LEWIS (8.7 p,5.1 r) and SHARNEL HUFF (6.8 p). BOWIE lost two key seniors in KEKE and BROADNAX but with MCINTOSH and the improvement of the underclassmen the ‘DOGS should have a legitimate shot at glory. CROSSLAND (14-9), now in 3A, returns leading scorer, junior JEANNE MARIE-WILSON who averaged 15.9 points a game last season and guards MONET EDWARDS and junior DANIELLE DURRANT who both averaged double figures last season. JALEESA HONESTY comes back for her senior campaign and runs the point and CHELSEA SWANSON fills the post position and averaged 6.5 rebounds a game last year. NORTHWESTERN (13-10) returns talented 6’0 sophomore post SIMONE SAMPSON who contributed 11.6 points and 9.5 rebounds as a freshman. JAZ ROBINSON runs the show and provides scoring and senior forward CHATIA JOHNSON brings back her 7.4 points and 7.4 rebounds a game. Another talent in PG1A is FAIRMOUNT HEIGHTS junior CIARA WASHINGTON who earned honorable mention All-Met status last season as a soph and averaged 15 a game. LAUREL returns a trio that averaged at least 9 a game in PEARSON, FAILS and PINKNEY.

In 3A, it’s the usual king of the jungle, the LADY LIONS from LARGO that headline the lower classification division. LARGO (21-4) went as far as JESSICA LYONS could lead the young LIONS before running into a buzzsaw named HARLEE in the state semifinals. The All-County guard LYONS averaged over 24 points a game the last six games of ’09 and leads a nice returning cast with the intentions of a two-night stay in Catonsville in March. The LIONS return senior defensive aces 6’0 CIERRA JOHNSON and 5’11 ALEXIS HOLLAND and juniors BRI WINSLOW and BRITT TAYLOR, both who have scored 25 or better in a game last season. The 1A state runner-up SURRATTSVILLE (23-3) has made three straight trips to the RAC only to come up just short. A year after losing BARBER, the HORNETS lose SHORTER and HILL to graduation and BRI GROSS to RIVERDALE BAPTIST. GWYNN PARK picked up HOLY CROSS transfer CHANEL MACKEY.

PG County has won a state championship in each of the last 13 years and the county has won 30 overall. PG is 50-32 in state playoff semifinals and 30-20 in the title game.

Title contenders in ’10 >>> WISE (4A), BOWIE (4A), LARGO (3A), SURRATTSVILLE (1A), FAIRMOUNT HEIGHTS (1A)

Pre-season All-Met watch; LYONS (LAR), WILSON (CROSS), MCINTOSH (BOW), , WASHINGTON (FH), SMITH (WISE), BORUM (WISE), SLAYTON (WISE), SAMPSON (NW)


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NuMbErS

>>> 2/11/08 >>> The last time ELEANOR ROOSEVELT lost a league game.

>>> 96-2 >>> Last years senior laden teams record against non-nationally ranked opponents throughout their career. A 31-30 loss to FLOWERS in ’08 and a 60-55 loss to LARGO in ’07.

>>> 54 >>> LARGO’s winning streak versus PG 1A/2A/3A over the last 3 years.

[themamba]

themambas ’09-10 MOCO High School Girls Basketball Preview


The usual suspects of Montgomery, the PANTHERS from PAINT BRANCH and the BENGALS from BLAKE again headline the most wanted by its counterparts in Maryland’s huge southwest contingent. The PANTHERS and BENGALS have been the rulers of their respective divisions the last few seasons and despite both losing their leading scorers from a year ago including the PANTHERS losing two All-Mets in HISLOP and QUIGLEY, the rulers continue to sit on top of the hill until being knocked off. PAINT BRANCH (24-3), the ’08 3A champs, have been to the RAC the last three seasons, 7 times this decade and 8 of the last 12 years under Coach Podesek. BLAKE (19-9) has also been to the dance the last three seasons including its first title game last season, a 67-39 loss to 5-time champ ELEANOR ROOSEVELT. While both the PANTHERS and BENGALS sit in front of their respective classes again, they exchange classifications (PB from 3A to 4A and BLAKE from 4A to 3A) and will both be challenged by a pair of contenders from their west. The EAGLES from SENECA VALLEY are rising from the west to battle the BENGALS in 3A after a classic battle in last years regular season game and the TROJANS are marching in from GAITHERSBURG to challenge the PANTHERS in 4A.

Despite some key losses to the perennial powers, both PAINT BRANCH and BLAKE bring back their floor generals and pre-season All-Mets in BRE’ (Bones’) MOSELY and CHRISTINE WEITHMAN respectively. Despite the matriculation of HISLOP (JAMES MADISON) and QUIGLEY (BOSTON U), MOSELY is back to dominate a third year and looks for some redemption after last years title game loss to FALLSTON. The All-Met averaged 17 a game last season to go along with 4 steals a game and drained 32 threes during the campaign. MOSELY had 109 steals and 105 assists during her sophomore season. Joining MOSELY and counted on heavily will be junior guard KENIA COLE and sophomore BRIDGETTE OCRAN who both averaged just under 5 a game while playing with 3 teammates that averaged over 15 a game. Also, guard KARISMA COLEMAN returns for the PANTHERS. The EAGLES from the valley feature All-Met, Charlottesville-bound, KELSEY WOLFE who’s coming off a very strong summer with the nationally #4 ranked Fairfax Stars. WOLFE led the EAGLES to an electrifying but stinging loss to the PANTHERS last season and joins the entire EAGLE starting five from a year ago. AUDREY CUNNINGHAM (16.3) is the conductor and 6’1 KIANA MURPHY the post that will have to help WOLFE get past its eastern rival and to the final four for the first time since the tournaments third year of existence in ’78. The three should have enough experience and motivation this season after finishing with a stunning 90-86 loss to FREDERICK in the regional semifinals.

The BENGALS from BLAKE lose their leading scorer in DOUGLAS but bring back several familiar pieces from the last few seasons that will provide stability. The BENGALS finished up 16-3 over their last 19 games with WEITHMAN returning from a knee after starting off 3-6. WEITHMAN provides scoring, ball handling and leadership and will be joined by fellow classmates, GABI HALL, HEATHER DAVIS, JUSTINE ALLEN and ANGIE DOMINGO. ALLEN scored 13 and HALL 10 in regional final against GAITHERSBURG. The TROJANS (20-4) lost a hard fought 3 point contest to BLAKE in the regional final and look for revenge and to avenge the loss to the BENGALS. The TROJANS feature the talented MARSHALL sisters, COLLEEN and KARA, who are still only sophomore and junior respectively. Kara averaged 14 a game and Kara 10 as a freshman last season. The two had 20 and 11 respectively in the loss to BLAKE and are looking forward to a rematch.

NORTHWEST, last years 4A regional runner-up to BLAKE, loses it’s, 1-2, inside-outside game of GREEN and REDDY and any hopes of contending this season. WOOTON (19-6), who split the contests with GAITHERSBURG in the 4A last year bring back juniors 6’2 GABBY FLINCHUM and JESS WELCH and senior IRIS CHENG but lose leader CRAIG. SUNNY CONWAY-FLORES, senior guard comes back for SPRINGBROOK and sophomore forward JOHANN LOPEZ returns to BLAIR.

In the 3A EAST where the PANTHERS once prowled, KENNEDY, EINSTEIN and BCC all have players to watch. KENNEDY has the talented ALICIA HALL while BCC features guards BRIA WHITE (LONGWOOD) and TINA THAU. WHITE averaged 16.4 points last season and was 2nd team All-MOCO. EINSTEIN counters with junior 6’0 post HAYS LINBAUGH who is coming off a campaign in which she averaged 8.6 points and 11.5 rebounds a game.

In the 3A WEST, DAMASCUS 6’3 post JESSE KAUFFMAN (MT. ST MARYS) will patrol the paint over in western Montgomery County. CLARKSBURG misses CUNNINGHAM who led in scoring in each of her three years will look to junior ANNA HACKETT to help get through the league and region. KAUFMAN is forward that can both score and shoot. JASMINE MC ROY a 5’9 junior returns to WATKINS MILL after leading the team in scoring in each of the last two seasons with averages of 13.1 and 15.1.

PAINT BRANCH is tied with SOUTHERN with 13 trips to the final four. Only PAINT BRANCH and CHURCHILL have won state championships over the last 20 years for Montgomery County.

Title contenders in ’10 >>> BLAKE (3A), GAITHERSBURG (4A), PAINT BRANCH (4A), SENECA VALLEY (3A)

Pre-season All-Met watch; MOSELY (PB), WOLFE (SV), WEITHMAN (BL), CUNNINGHAM (CLRK), CUNNINGHAM (SV), HALL (KEN), MC ROY (WM), HALL (BL), COLE (PB), KAUFMAN (DAM), MURPHY (SV)


ETC, etc, etc.:

NUMBAS;

38 >>> Number of points scored by KELSEY WOLFE in regional semifinal loss.

[themamba]

themambas AACO Girls High School Basketball ’09-10 Preview


The CATS from ARUNDEL (22-5) have won 11 of the last 12 AACO championships and 9 of the last 12 regional championships, with a trifecta of state trophies over that span. It hasn’t kept the county naysayers from disseminating its frustrations and critiques on the county’s only true state contender. Like the Yanks and Cowboys, there is no middle ground, no grey area as the CATS are expected to bring home a state title or else chalk it up as a gross failure. Luckily for those CATS there is life after prepping in the cages and over a dozen student athletes have taken their game to the next level under Coach Rogers during that span. The CATS had another get away last year with its heartbreaking 47-43 loss to its chief nemesis, ELEANOR ROOSEVELT, in which the CATS held a 7 point halftime lead before squandering that lead and falling down 6 before the final period. Good news for the CATS is that they return the best post in the area in All-Met SHERRONNE VAILS who was curtailed with foul trouble in the final but has had huge games in big games throughout her career. As a sophomore VAILS followed up a 30 point, 20 rebound county title game with a 28 point, 18 rebound regional final game.

Last season, VAILS had 19 points and 7 rebounds in disappointing loss to RIVERDALE BAPTIST and an 18 point, 17 rebound effort versus SETON KEOUGH. TALEN WATSON returns to the nest after leading the CATS in scoring in the state championship and almost single-handedly bringing the CATS back on top before BULLOCK’s three and ultimately the RAIDERS final fistful. WATSON also supplied 105 assists while averaging 7 a game and will be counted on as she was in the final for scoring and leadership with the departures of the 3 D-1 CATS that have left the pen. Most teams would have trouble losing 3 players to D-1 in their own leagues, and the CATS still may, but are again at the top of the list of favorites in 4A with a hand full of others closely following on the catwalk. The CATS bring back 4 other players that have received time amongst the top ten last year including BRI McKELLERY, DEDRA MOORE, TIFFANY GRANT and ARIEL ROSS.

OLD MILL (19-6), the last Arundelian to topple the CATS, is poised to make a run and snatch them from the cat box. The PATS will be led by senior guard COURTNEY SALISBURY who will run the show for the PATS and counted on heavily on both ends of the floor. The PATS will clearly miss LUCAS but bring back a trio of fellow PATRIOTS and a 6’0 senior transfer in MONET NIAS. Junior forwards CARLY CONNERLY and BREONNA PINKETT and senior JAS SMITH will counted on to contribute immensely if the PATS are to duplicate the thrashing they put on the CATS 30 months ago. MEADE (13-11) has talent to contend including transfer guard in IMANI BAILEY who will be charged along with JOI CARTER in keeping the MUSTANGS together. Scorers ALYSSA CHAMBLISS and NICOLE DIXON will again lead the ‘STANGS while sophomore post VERONICA YOUNG will need a breakout year if the MUSTANGS are to contend in both AACO and 4A. ANNAPOLIS (9-14) keeps its hopes alive after a couple of disappointing seasons by bringing back All-County KIM SURGEON who averaged 14.1 points and 13.8 rebounds a contest last year and are now classified in 4A. NORTHEAST (11-12) loses MCGAHAGAN but bring the BUTLER sisters back, senior IEASHA and sophomore LATIFAH, along with senior LEAH WARNER. SOUTH RIVER (12-11) loses LAWRENCE to graduation and HAGINS to transfer but bring in some freshman talent. SOUTHERN loses WILLS, but return the JONES sisters, senior ROQUELLE and sophomore FALICIA. GLEN BURNIE (6-16) returns junior DENVER CLYDE.


AACO won 15 state championships in the tournaments first 15 years but have only yielded 6 over the last 22 campaigns The last county team to win it all other than ARUNDEL was OLD MILL in ’93. Coach Rogers has an all-time record of 403-111 to go along with the three state titles.

Title contenders; ARUNDEL (4A), MEADE (4A), OLD MILL (4A)

All-Met watch list; VAILS (ARU), WATSON (ARU), SURGEON (ANN), CHAMBLISS (MDE), DIXON (MDE), BAILEY (MDE), SALISBURY (OM), NIAS (OM), CLYDE (GB), BUTLER (NE), JONES (SOU)



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numb #rs

>>> 03-03-07 >>> The last day the CATS took a loss to a league opponent.

>>> 424,250,34 >>> The number of points, rebounds and blocks needed to place in the top 3 of all 3 categories in the CATS illustrious all-time lists.

N>XT LEVEL

ALEX MCGUIRE, the former CAT All-Met, finished her accomplished career at ARMY while four CATS essentially start their college careers. MCGUIRE finished as the CADETS 3RD all-time leading scorer with 1455 points. She set an ARMY record with 56 three-pointers made in a season and finished in the career top 10 in 6 categories including scoring, fg made, ft percentage, assists, steals and 3’s made. SIMONE EGWU travels to Charlottesville to join the CAVS who are picked 4th in the pre-season ACC poll. Teammate MONICA WRIGHT is picked as pre-season ACC POY and fellow freshman CHINA CROSBY brings her own impressive resume to the ‘Wahoo World’ of Charlottesville. AYANNA RANDOLPH prepares to go after two very unfortunate setbacks as she looks to help right the FURMAN ship that went 12-18 overall and 6-14 in the SOUTHERN CONFERENCE. ASHLEY DAVIS joins DREXEL and ‘Charm City’ favorites TYLER HALE and AYANA LEE as they look to make the school’s second NCAA tournament appearance in as many years. HALE averaged 3 points and 3.5 rebounds last year. EBONEE JONES heads to LASALLE where they finished 10-19.

[themamba]

themambas ’09-10 HOCO Girls High School Basketball Preview


The HAWKS from RIVER HILL (27-1) soared again into the state championship only to fly into the ‘Castle on the Hill’s’ CITY COLLEGE KNIGHTS and lose a gut-wrenching overtime thriller. Coach Waters is nearing 400 wins and has a pair of state championships including one at OAKLAND MILLS and one on the HILL but last years final stung as Coach Waters saw two of her finest student athletes play their last game after four years of hard work and huge contribution. SEELAUS and DANNELLY are gone and along with them, over 12 feet of post presence but the HAWKS bring back their talented backcourt in CHANTREL OLIVER and ALICIA VEGA. OLIVER will begin her fourth year as a starter (2 w/WILDE LAKE) after averaging 16 a game and a team leading 22 points in the final. VEGA averaged 10.3 a game and has made over 60 three-pointers in her career. OLIVER can go coast to coast with the best of them and VEGA has improved steadily each of the last 3 years and is tough as nails. Coach Waters and the HAWKS will need a big boost from 6’0 senior NIKKI PIPER to help fill some of the shoes worn by SEELAUS and DANNELLY. Another trip to the RAC will be far more challenging as the HAWKS try to find depth among its inexperienced lineup. Both RIVER HILL and HEBRON jump up to 3A this season.

Speaking of challenges, the CENTENNIAL EAGLES are poised to make a run at the HAWKS and battle for supremacy of the HOCO skies. Unlike in some leagues like PG, MOCO, AACO and the City where the outcomes have been almost identical and only the names on the back have changed over the last several seasons, HOCO has had a different county champion in each of the last four years with RIVER HILL winning in ’06, ATHOLTON in ’07, MT. HEBRON in ’08 and RIVER HILL again in ’09. Last year was the first time in 4 years that the county champion did not come home with a state championship. CENTENNIAL (16-7) will surely miss SPEICHER, the all-around four-year starter, and ANDERSON, the 6’1 post, but bring back three starters and a post transfer from HEBRON. JULIE BENJAMIN returns after registering 6.5 points and 6 rebounds per contest last season and will be joined up front by 5’11 junior forward SARAH MILLER who comes to the lane after two seasons on 99 at the MOUNT. KENITRA ALSTON will be counted on for scoring and VICTORIA PINA will run the point for the EAGLES for a third season. ALSTON is an athletic, versatile wing that can shoot as can the point guard PINO. Both BENJAMIN and MILLER have shown marked improvement over the last two years and the EAGLES will need the improved production to improve their chances in 3A. MT. HEBRON (17-8), the usual suspected thorn in RIVER HILL’s side has been decimated by departures, a year and a half after claiming its seventh state title. First BOWEN graduated after starting three years, then Coach Robinson retired from bball and AJA WALLPHER and MILLER both transferred. TONY BELL takes over and does have three-year starting center MEGAN SCHAFF scheduled to return and senior guards KATHLEEN STAFFORD and KRISTEN BILNEY but has an uphill battle to get the VIKINGS back on top. OAKLAND MILLS (10-13) had their starting five scheduled to return before MONET NIAS left for the other OM, the old one in AACO. No worries, Coach Willingham still brings back four starters including a trio of rising sophomores and a four year starting senior. NICOLE HILL comes back for her final year and brings experience and a long frame on the perimeter. JASMINE HILL, Nicole’s sophomore brethren, will likely be the SCORPS leading scorer this season and the following two. HIGHT and TWARDWICZ come back after impressive freshman seasons and will need to hit the glass and defend for the undersized SCORPS. ATHOLTON (13-10), also undersized, bring back 5 veterans including leading scorer, BRIGETTE SNYDER, and senior AMBER COOK who brings athleticism and competitiveness to the RAIDER lineup. HAMMOND (9-14) pulled off a couple of stunners last year and return UMASS-bound 6’2 BRANDONE ROBERTS, 6’0 forward KELSEY HITESMAN and All-County selection ELLEN JOHNSON. GLENELG returns junior post RACHEL SMITH who averaged 14 a game as a sophomore. HOWARD looks like it will have the services of the multi-talented BRANDI WINGATE-HOLLAND which could be enough for any league game.

HOCO had its 3 year run of state titles come to a halt but did improve to a 30-11 mark in the state semifinals to go with 17 state championships. Coach Waters is 392-249 overall and an outstanding 233-42 record at RIVER HILL and has won 10 county championships and 5 regional championships while coaching in Howard County.

Pre-season All-Met watch; WINGATE (HOW), OLIVER (RH), VEGA (RH), SCHAFF (MT H), HILL,N (OM), HILL,J (OM), ALSTON (CEN), JOHNSON (HAMMOND), SMITH (GLEN), BENJAMIN (CEN)

Title contenders; RIVER HILL (3A), CENTENNIAL (3A), OAKLAND MILLS (2A)


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ETC, etc, Etc…

N#MB#RS

>>>17 >>> The number of All-County honors won among 5 departing seniors between them. WILLIAMS (NORTH CAROLINA), BRADFORD (U of PENN), SPEICHER, SEELAUS (YALE) and DANNELLY (RICHMOND) all made huge marks throughout their illustrious careers and will be sorely missed.

>>> 1 >>> The number of coaches to win a state championship at 2 different schools. Coach TERESA WATERS not only won at two different schools but in two different decades. WATERS ran deep with OAKLAND MILLS in ’98 and RIVER HILL in ’06.


>>> 2005 >>> The last time HOCO didn’t have a state finalist.


>>> 12/29/09 >>> Estimated time of arrival of Coach WATERS 400TH win.

[themamba]

themambas MVAL ’09-10 Girls High School Basketball Preview


For three years straight the Mononacy Valley Athletic League has sent three undefeated teams into the regional final, state semifinals and state championship only to lose three heartbreaking games and feeling the agony of defeat on their first and only loss of the season in March. In ’06-07 WALKERSVILLE, at 26-0, ran into a hot ATHOLTON team that had a senior and four juniors that had made the final four a year earlier and was eventual champion. In ’07-08, it was WINTERS MILL who was undefeated at 26-0 when they met another undefeated team in MT. HEBRON and came up 1 point short to the eventual champions in the state semifinals. Last season it was URBANA at 25-0 heading into the regional final with defending state champ PAINT BRANCH before losing a heartbreaking 58-55 thriller and making three anything but a charm.

This season URBANA (25-1) looks to be the early leader despite losing FOSSETT and 6’1 TAYLOR, returning three main ingredients from last years regional final runner-up. Guards MARI KORDELL and CARA MASON return as does forward KRISTEN JUENGER. KORDELL, a junior averaged 8.7 points and 3 assists a game last season and sophomore CARA MASON averaged 8 a game and scored 17 including 3 threes in regional final. JUENGER averaged 8 points and 6.5 rebounds as a sophomore and was the main cog inside for the HAWKS. WALKERSVILLE (16-8), a regional semifinalist, loses HILDEBRAND but brings two of their best three players back in SHENISE DISNEY, a junior guard that averaged 10.9 points and 4 rebounds a game while hitting on 21 of 56 three-point attempts and senior forward KRYSTEN GROSSNICKLE who averaged 10.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per contest last year. Seniors JOCELYN MARTIN and KARSON TUCK will be counted on to do the extra work if WALKERSVILLE is to make a run.

NORTH HAGERSTOWN (22-3), a 2A final four participant a year ago loses their anchors MITCHELL and ALLEN but return QUIENNA GANTT who averaged 9.4 point a game as a sophomore. MIDDLETOWN (21-4), a regional runner-up to NORTH (HAG) loses their leader OURSLER but do return junior guard JACKIE KESSLER and 6’2 junior post CHRISSY PAYNE. LINGANORE (16-8), another state semifinalist from the west, is hit by attrition as well losing MUSSELMAN but the LANCERS bring back 6’2 SAMANTHA BULS. NORTH CARROLL returns the most dominant player in the league in CAITLYN BACH who has led NORTH CARROLL in scoring and rebounding in each of her three seasons. BACH averaged 19 points and 13 rebounds last season and has amassed over 1000 points and 700 rebounds in her career and became the only NC player, boy or girl, to ever eclipse the 1,000 point clip. FREDERICK (13-10), a very mercurial team a year ago, who with LYNASIA FRAZIER who averaged 14.2 a game as a sophomore and senior KASHAY BARNES an All-county pick, pushed URBANA to the limit, losing by 1 after upsetting SENECA VALLEY. The CADETS came into last years playoffs on a 3-5 run only to upset SENECA VALLEY in the regionals 90-86.

Also in the far west in the AMAC, ALLEGANY (23-3) made another run to the RAC for the second consecutive season return juniors LEAH WORMACK, a 6’1 post and AMAC POY as a sophomore, who averaged 15.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.5 blocks a game last season leading the CAMPERS to its second consecutive final four appearance. BROOKE WARTON, a 5’4 guard has played varsity since her freshman year and will look WORMACK to take the CAMPERS for another extended stay in Catonsville. NORTHERN returns junior guard KAITLYN FRATZ, who has led the AMAC in scoring in each of her two seasons with marks of 17.5 and 19.2 respectively. SOUTHERN returns senior fellow All-AMAC guard EMILEE BOSLEY who averaged 12 a game and hit on 42 3’s. Should be a nice little border war between NORTHERN and SOUTHERN with ALLEGANY camping out to see which one still stands.

MIDDLETOWN was the last MVAL team to take home the state title in ’06. MVAL teams have gone 30-15 in the state semifinals while going 14-16 in the state finals.

Title contenders; ALLEGANY (1A)



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themambas UCBAC ’09-10 Girls High School Basketball Preview


The COUGARS from FALLSTON (28-0) shook the 3A foundation to its core when the COUG’S led by All-Met JESS HARLEE and freshman sensation RACHEL HOLEHOUSE beat the defending state champion PAINT BRANCH 65-62 in the championship. PAINT BRANCH had everybody returning from a team that had gone undefeated the season before and had won the ‘08 title game by 39 points over ATHOLTON, a team that had just edged FALLSTON in the regional. The PANTHERS walked into the RAC with Bk2Bk t-shits made up and a cake with the candles lit to celebrate its fifth championship once it dispatched the COUGARS. Problem was HARLEE and the hungry COUGARS did not get the memo and themselves walked into the RAC undefeated and had two of the best kept secrets in the state in HARLEE and HOLEHOUSE. The COUGARS rallied from a 7 point fourth quarter deficit as HARLEE poured in 19 fourth quarter points and finished with 27 points to take the cake from the PANTHERS and ruin any back-to-back talk.

HARLEE was voted first team All-Met after averaging 17 points and 13 rebounds a game and was the most dominant player at the RAC. The COUGAR superstar who will play in Morgantown next season unfortunately tore her ACL while playing for the Fairfax Stars at Nike Nationals and may miss the season. She did help Fairfax achieve a national top 5 ranking before going down. HOLEHOUSE may have been the biggest surprise to anyone not from Harford County as she continued her progression in the teams biggest games. HOLEHOUSE led the COUGARS in scoring in the UCBAC title game with 18 points and had 22 points versus ABERDEEN in the regional championship. In addition to her brilliant championship game HOLEHOUSE had 22 points and 6 rebounds against LARGO in the semifinal. HOLEHOUSE will be rejoined this season with forward LINDSAY GARNETT and senior guard CAROLINE SHOTTO and count on the contribution of sophomore ALYSSA MARCH to gain another regional final. This time around the COUGARS are in the 2A EAST and it’s the Cougar Dome where contenders may have to come whether the COUGARS are riding their HARLEE or not.

ABERDEEN (16-8), the regional 3A runner-up to FALLSTON, and third in the league behind the COUGARS and JOPPATOWNE, return leading scorer TIFFANY TAYLOR, sophomores LAKEYA HAYDEN and NIA ALLEYNE, though they lose QUAY MALLOY to ST. FRANCES. ABERDEEN moves from the 3A EAST to the 3A NORTH with the likes of the DOVES from WESTERN and will count on a bit of their youth movement coming in earlier than expected. JOPPATOWNE, the regional 1A runner-up to SURRATTSVILLE, brings back its best player in BRITTANY THORNTON, a 6’0 guard who controls the tempo for J’TOWNE and is its leading scorer, junior guard, ZAMERIA JONES, a mercurial force at times and ABERDEEN transfer PEZ SCOTT. EDGEWOOD (14-10), a regional finalist the last two years, now has FALLSTON in their region in addition of having to face them in the UCBAC.

FALLSTON won Harford County’s first state championship after 1o appearances for the COUGARS and a total of 29 for the county. The county had gone into the semifinals with a 5-15 mark and a 0-5 mark in the finals before FALLSTON rocked the RAC.

Title contenders; JOPPATOWNE (1A), FALLSTON (2A)

All-Met watch list; HOLEHOUSE (FALL), THORNTON (JOPP), TAYLOR (AB), JONES (JOPP)



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ETC,ETC,ETC…

Players to watch on the outskirts >>> Both the beautiful western Maryland mountain region of the state and the sensory captivating Maryland eastern shores hold many of the states vast treasures and both each possess junior posts that will try to make three a charm and lead their teams to a third straight trip to the RAC. LEAH WORMACK, the 6’1 ALLEGANY post won POY honors as a junior despite the reigning POY DEGROSS returning last year will look to gain the CAMPERS first crown since the dawn of the millennium and the undersized post from POCOMOKE, KIANA STURGIS who was the top rebounder in BAYSIDE will look to recapture the magic of the ‘MOKE in’08.

[themamba]

themambas ’09-10 SMAC Girls High School Basketball Preview


The EAGLES from NORTH POINT (24-2) flew through the SMAC going undefeated in the league and finishing 24-2 in its third year of existence. NORTH POINT advanced to the regional championship riding a 19 game winning streak before falling to eventual runner-up RIVER HILL, 63-42. All the pieces are back including Syracuse bound TIARA BUTLER, the athletic shooting two guard who averaged 12 points, 8 rebounds and 5 steals a game and SMAC Player of the Year, 6’1 center ROBYN PARKS who averaged 16 points, 14 rebounds and 4.3 blocks a game. Senior forward BRITTANY BAKER returns up front after averaging 8.8 points and 9 rebounds a game and senior CIARA STEWART comes back for her senior year to run the point for the EAGLES after gaining 2nd team honors and averaging 6 assists and 5 steals a game. TASIA BUTLER starts her career as her sister TIARA finishes hers and will be counted on big time to help the EAGLES navigate through the tougher 4A class and possibly ARUNDEL in its region to gain its first final four bid. The talent is there and the two questions will be if these talents will blend together and execute and whether the EAGLES will be battle-tested enough in their own league to be prepared in March.

The former champs, GREAT MILLS (16-7) lost a lot of experience with 5 three –year players having graduated on. With TAYLOR, NAYLOR, ADAMS, BAKER and BUTLER now gone the HORNETS lose 95% of their offensive production and their core unit that made a final four run in ’08. LACKEY returns All-SMAC guard KENDRA MOSELY.

WESTLAKE (16-7) seems poised to make a move into the top two of the league returning five players that gained valuable experience a year ago including first team All-SMAC wing SHANISE GOREE who averaged 13 a game, hit 20 3’s and can be a defensive stopper. Senior TIFFANY BELL, a 2nd team selection, averaged 8 a game last season and joins senior DENISE DAVIS and TY JONES-HARRIS, both who garnered honorable mention accolades. DAVIS averaged 9.4 a game and the 5’3 guard hauled in 5 boards a game while JONES-HARRIS averaged 8 as a freshman while earning her honors. KIM BROWN also adds to the perimeter making a team-high 22 three-pointers last season.

MCDONOUGH returns junior guard TRINITY JOHNSON while 2nd team All-SMAC KAYLA JACKS comes back for HUNTINGTOWN who beat WESTLAKE twice last year though they lose HARDY who averaged 13.5 points a game last season.. Junior guard MYA SOMERVILLE returns to lead CHOPTICON after averaging 15.5 points as a sophomore including 35 on LAPLATA. SOMERVILLE will be reunited with sophomore forward ASHYA SHORT who averaged 7.5 points a game as a freshman and hit double figures against GREAT MILLS twice and NORTH POINT and RESERVOIR each.

The last SMAC team to win a state championship was GREAT MILLS IN ’90. Since then, nine SMAC teams have reached the final four only to fall short of the final dance.

Title contenders; NORTH POINT (4A), WESTLAKE (3A)

All-Met watch and players to watch list; PARKS (NP), BUTLER (NP), STEWART (NP), GOREE (WES)



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themambas BAYSIDE ’09-10 Girls High School Basketball Preview


POCOMOKE (25-2) has been the most dominant team from the Bayside league this decade. The WARRIORS from the shore have made 7 straight trips to the final four and with that, 7 regional championships. They went in to last seasons state semifinal as defending champs, their first and only, and lost 51-43 to SURRATTSVILLE. Coach Gladding has been at the helm for 8 of the WARRIOR 11 final four appearances and did so last year with 4 sophomores among their first seven in the rotation. Unfortunately the WARRIORS lose their most talented sophomore, WHITNEY KING to national power RIVERDALE BAPTIST and senior DEYONNA PARKER to graduation. The WARRIORS do return junior KIANA STURGIS who led the BAYSIDE league in rebounding grabbing 11.5 boards per contest while averaging 14.5 points a game as the the ‘MOKE look to make it eight straight. The WARRIORS went undefeated through the regular season and its only loss before the RAC was a post season tournament game to KENT ISLAND.

PARKSIDE (18-5), another Bayside perennial power has made 11 trips to the final four and did again last year before running into an undefeated RIVER HILL in the 2A semifinals. PARKSIDE won their lone championship in ’99 and have made the semifinals four times this decade. The RAMS bring back their leading scorer ASHANEYIA HIGHLAND who averaged 21.4 points a game and scored at least 30 in 6 contests. PARKSIDE will miss the inside play of STEVENSON. PARKSIDE finished on the bottom of a very lop-sided loss to RIVER HILL 78-39 in the state semifinals but the LADY RAMS have made the final four eleven times throughout their history.

MARDELA has been the chief contender to POCOMOKE in 1A and pushed the WARRIORS from POCOMOKE to overtime in their closest regular season contest. WICOMICO and NORTH CAROLINE the lead rivals for PARKSIDE in 2A though WICOMICO loses a lot to attrition in the form of matriculation.

Bayside has sent 50 teams to the final four and have an 11-39 record in those contests and has 4 state champions in those 11 final appearances.