695Hoops Season Preview Top 15

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is my first look at the top 15 teams coming into the 2022/23 season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> 1. POLY- The Lady Engineers are fresh off of a 3A state championship with just about the entire squad returning. They were very impressive during fall league play with a solid core of [player_tooltip player_id='142834' first='Trinity' last='Massenburg'] (George Mason), <strong>Da'Bryia Clark</strong> (Norfolk State), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='325340' first='Taylor' last='Addison']</strong>, <strong>Riley </strong>Holliday and <strong>Mickelle Lowr</strong>y. That group is as good as any in the area, and they have some young pieces to provide depth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"left"} --> <p class="has-text-align-left">2. MCDONOGH- The defending IAAM A conference champions bring back an experienced and tough group. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='142846' first='Paris' last='Locke']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='142833' first='Anaiah' last='Jenkins']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='142839' first='Makaela' last='Quimby']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='304355' first='Ava' last='McKennie']</strong> will hold things down until [player_tooltip player_id='238813' first='Kennedy' last='Umeh'] rejoins the team (injury). Freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='433873' first='Autumn' last='Fleary'] will step right in provide plenty of scoring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"left"} --> <p class="has-text-align-left">3. PALLOTTI- Coach Rashida Joiner has had her team prepared for a while. They have size in 6'3' freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='393082' first='Arianna' last='Harris']-Mott</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='433835' first='Savannah' last='Whitley']</strong> and a platoon of guards that can go in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='336823' first='Mary' last='Amoateng']</strong>, <strong>Nia Grymes</strong>, <strong>Syndey Anthony</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='304882' first='Autumn' last='Edison']</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='393116' first='Gabrielle' last='Clary']</strong> will provide versatility and scoring. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"left"} --> <p class="has-text-align-left">4. ST. FRANCES ACADEMY- The Panthers finished second in the IAAM A conference and return an experienced and capable group featuring <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='163910' first='Kameryn' last='Dorsey']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='163911' first='Andea' last='Cherisier'], [player_tooltip player_id='291153' first='Kimmya' last='Hicks'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='303118' first='Sydney' last='Sutton']</strong>. They have some strong freshmen that will contribute right away in <strong>Dahni Suggs</strong> and <strong>Zoe Oxby</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"left"} --> <p class="has-text-align-left">5. MERCY- Mercy captured an IAAM B conference championship last season behind the stellar play of 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='336752' first='Milan' last='Brown']. She is the ultimate competitor, and they have a solid group with her. Transfer forward [player_tooltip player_id='540040' first='Myah' last='Hazelton'] will provide another scoring option as well as additional size to go with McKenna Carroll.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. Howard- Howard came up short in the 3A title game against Poly and are looking to get back into the championship mix. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='163864' first='Gabrielle' last='Kennerly']</strong> is a serious player of the year candidate, and her backcourt partner <strong>Samiyah “Chicago” Nasir</strong> is back and fully healthy. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='303119' first='Meghan' last='Yarnevich']</strong> is poised to have a huge sophomore season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. Forest Park- Coach Dunn has a dangerous group that always plays with speed and intensity. Aliyah Carroll is one of the most improved players in the area and will provide solid two way play. [player_tooltip player_id='332124' first='Amora' last='Alston'] will hold down the point guard spot and [player_tooltip player_id='304357' first='Chaniya' last='Taylor'] will take care of the post area. Forest Park has several talented freshmen that are ready to contribute right away.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. Glen Burnie- The Gophers had a stellar season last year and bring back senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='167203' first='Amourie' last='Porter']</strong> who is a legitimate player of the year candidate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. Pikesville- The Panthers will field a scrappy, well coached team that will be defending their 1A state championship. The core of Jayda Mayles, Tykeisha Hill, Korai Bowen, Bree and [player_tooltip player_id='304370' first='Aliyah' last='Taylor'] and [player_tooltip player_id='142849' first='Amya' last='Moore'] are experienced and battle tested. Darielle Weems will provide depth and [player_tooltip player_id='389438' first='Kelsey' last='Parker'] will provide scoring upon her return from injury.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10. St. Timothy's- Coach Vernon Harris has senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='142830' first='Aryss' last='Macktoon']</strong> who looked impressive in fall league play. She is a big-time player and another serious candidate for player of the year. This is a hard working group that should win a B conference championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>11. Mt. Carmel- Coach Rob Long brings back a team that won a B conference championship last season and features 6'5” <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='389430' first='Hawa' last='Doumbaya']</strong> (Maryland). The team will go as far as she can take them. <strong>Anyla Davis</strong> and [player_tooltip player_id='455403' first='Shayla' last='Garnett'] make up a tough backcourt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12. Old Mill- The Patriots are motivated to wrest the Anne Arundel County championship away from Glen Burnie. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='163854' first='Amani' last='Watts']</strong> will lead the way while manning the post with help on the frontline from Amya Douglas. Freshman point guard Mckenzie Singletary will step in and try to provide quality minutes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>13. River Hill- Coach Waters has a young squad, but freshman post Camille Nesmith, junior guard Taylor Shane and sophomore wing Dylan Watson are all serious players. Look for them to make some noise in Howard County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>14. Western- The Doves lost an historically good backcourt so there will be some drop off. 6'3" Post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='393084' first='Breasia' last='Coit']</strong> will lead the way with junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='304621' first='Maya' last='Gray'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>15. Harford Tech- <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='538907' first='Amya' last='Goodsell']</strong> and <strong>Aniya Gibson</strong> should cause havoc in Harford County this season. One of them should walk away with player of the year out there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->