695 Top 20 and Season Preview

<p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_130214">Writing that first top 20 is one of the toughest things to do because all you have is fall league work and some scrimmages to work off. The theme for this season is depth. A lot of teams seem to be top heavy with two or three players carrying major weight. Outside of the number one team everyone is looking for some early season bulletin board material so let the ranking shenanigans begin. Here is a look at the top 20 in the Baltimore metro area.</p> <div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_125660"> <div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_125659"> <div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_125658"> <div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_125657"> <div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_125656"> <div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_125655"> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_130062">1. <strong>St. Frances Academy</strong></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_130064">Until someone beats them we'll keep them perched here. Angel Reese is back for her junior year and is a player of the year candidate.  Sophomore Aniya Gourdine takes over at the point while senior Savawn Hughes takes the two guard spot. Broadneck transfer Khalia Turner will provide some perimeter shooting that will be needed with the loss of Delicia Pinnick to New Hope Academy. They will need contributions from underclassmen to stay on top.</p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_130068">2. <strong>Roland Park</strong></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_130136">If Roland Park is going to win an A conference championship this will be the year. They return all starters from last season. Scott Buckley has retired and long time assistant Dani Steinbach takes over. Junior Mir Mclean is a player of the year candidate and she is joined by a stellar backcourt in junior Rain Green and senior Janiah Henson, a Morgan State recruit. The talent is there, the depth may not be.</p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_130142">3. <strong>McDonogh</strong></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_130140">Coach Brad Rees brings back senior guard Aleah Nelson but lost Jessica Booth to an ACL tear for the season. Sophomore Jayla Oden is ready to step up and provide scoring and ball handling as needed. AJ Davis is back at 100% to hold things down in the post while Treasure Valdez moves into a starting spot. Freshman Nekhu Mitchell will start on the wing and should contribute.</p> 4. <strong>Long Reach</strong> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_142102">Four starters return for Coach Kelli Cofield as the Lightening try to make another run to the 3A championship game and should win Howard County. Senior Rebecca Ford is a transfer from New York who will provide inside presence to go along with the underrated Arianna Briggs-Hall, another senior. Senior Lyric Swann is their best player and a player of the year candidate. She'll provide plenty of buckets as she gets ready to transition to life at UMBC.</p> 5.<strong> Poly</strong> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_130272">Poly returns with a 3 guard attack of Dasia Townes, Cache Wilson and Janya Lilly. Look for Wilson to handle the play making while Lilly scores and Townes does a bit of everything. They will play hard and physical and should win the city and make another run at a 3A final four appearance.</p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_130268">6. <strong>Howard</strong></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_130276">Howard has no seniors on this year's team so Marisa Sanchez-Henry will take over what will be a small line up. Camille Malagar will provide long distance shooting while Pallotti transfer Anii Harris will assume some of the ball handling and play making duties. Freshman Gabby Scott will get significant minutes and will help with scoring. Sophomore guard Emily Durkee will provide spark off the bench. Look for coach Scott Robinson to have this group contending for the Howard county championship late in the season.</p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_125688">7. <strong>Pikesville</strong></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_125690">Coach of the year Mike Dukes is back with a squad that made it to the 1A final four last year. This team might be better. Senior center Teylah Saunders (Elon) will provide inside presence and leadership while junior forward Charia Roberts looks to be poised for a big season. Kristen Sterling will provide scoring as will guard Tyra Robinson. Freshmen Amaya Frazier will get a crack at the point guard spot in tandem with Frances Glover-Bey. Keonte Lewis fills out the rotation and is the team's defensive catalyst.</p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_125667">8. <strong>Pallotti</strong></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_125669">This is not the same Pallotti team from last year and it's definitely not the same coach as they have once again made a change. Joe Matthews takes his shot at getting things going in the right direction and I think he has a chance. Junior guard Jania Hall will deliver points and energy every game. Tahlia Brown-Stangherlin will be the glue that keeps them together. Old Mill transfer Jasmin Valentine will provide steady play inside and there is plenty of depth with juniors Nhaikyia Smith and the Thweat twins Lindsay and Nia.</p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_125708">9. <strong><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_127091">Frederick</span></strong></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_127092" dir="ltr">Another 3A championship for the Cadets would not surprise me. Senior Makayla Daniels is capable of willing her team to the finals on her own. She won't have to because coach Ashley Bush brings back sophomore Rose Bubakar who was a huge contributor last year as well as Rhiana Hall and Jaylnn Montgomery. Look for them again at Towson in March.</p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_125717">10. <strong>Institute of Notre Dame</strong></p> 6'2 post Ajae Petty transferred in from New Town and will join senior La'Shyra Williams and sophomore Niyona Smith in a pretty good front court. Junior guard Eniya Russell is a player of the year candidate that gives the Penguins a chance every game. Freshmen Tsion Smith, Maddie Nimmo and Cydney Curtis will be counted on for heavy minutes. Junior guard Grace Taylor will provide an outside threat. 11.<strong> St. John's Catholic</strong> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_127068">St. John's is moving up from the B conference and they should be able to compete in the IAAM A. Kayla Cooper is back for her junior season and is their go to player but they will need others to step up with scoring.</p> 12. <strong>Mount De Sales</strong> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_127072">Coach Trish Armstrong will always have her team right in the middle of the IAAM B conference title race. This year will be no different. The Sailors do not have a lot of size but they are disciplined and don't make a lot of mistakes. Seniors Abby Kuhn, Rachel Krug, Maura Devine and Kristen Zaranski will lead the way.</p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_127076">13<strong> Western</strong></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_127078">Coach Tasha Townsend will rely heavily on seniors Destiny Hawkins and Ty'keara Burden for leadership while sophomore guards Saniya Gray and Vashae Rideout provide scoring. Freshmen guards Ny'Ceara "Lil Mama" Pryor and Gabby Johnson are battle tested and ready to contribute right away. The Doves should be in the mix in Baltimore city as usual.</p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_127064">14. <strong><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_127148">Chesapeake (BC)</span></strong></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_127149" dir="ltr">Chesapeake of Baltimore county has three legit collegiate prospects in their lineup. Senior Trinity Horton is joined by sophomores Kayla Cabbagestalk and Tamara Stanford. The trio likes to push the tempo and score in transition and they will score a bunch of points. This is another team that will need some depth to really make a run.</p> <p dir="ltr">15. <strong>Coppin Academy</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Coach Chris Hardy is looking to make another run to the 1A final four and this year's team is capable. Junior guard Kayla Henderson averages over 20 points a game and sets the tone defensively. Sophomore Nyshae Weaver will need to have a break out season for the Eagles to make a March run. Their games are always exciting.</p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_127058">16. <strong>Oakland Mills</strong></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_127060">Coach Walt Hagins has the Scorpions looking like Howard County and 2A contenders in his second season. Marley Grenway, Aislyn Riggs and Jazmine Washington will be joined by transfers Kobie Scott- Pearson and Kiyah King to form what should be a good core. What they get from their bench will determine how far they go.</p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_127133">17. <strong><span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_130423">John Carroll</span></strong></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_130424" dir="ltr">New coach Eric Wakefield takes over for Craig Simmons. His daughter Jordan Wakefield (George Mason) will carry a lot of the scoring load. Junior guard Julia Williams has the potential to be a real contributor this season. The Patriots have size with 6'1 Kirstin Huggins, 6'0 Vonnie Lidie and 6'1 Jada Bright. Let's see if they can put it together.</p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_127210"> 18. <strong>Mount Carmel</strong></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_127137">Coach Rob Long has a much improved team that is looking like a B conference contender. Ana Alleyne makes them go and she'll have plenty of help from Olivia Harris and Jaylah Lewis. These should be exciting times for the program as Coach Long has set up an impressive schedule.</p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_125797">19.<strong> Catonsville</strong></p> Losing player of the year Jasmine Dickey will hurt. The Comets have an experienced backcourt in Asyia Ferguson and Gabby Douglas and they have a legit post in junior transfer Larri Sydnor. Freshman Ashley Dickey will provide some spark. Coach Mike Mohler will get the most out of them. <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_125799">20<strong> Reservoir</strong></p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_125799" dir="ltr">This is a well coached group that will be involved in a lot of good games in Howard county. Emily Dorn is a player of the year candidate in the county and junior Tiffany Hooker is ready to run with her.</p> <p id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1544159524108_125747" dir="ltr">Also in the mix; St. Paul's, City and Aberdeen.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>