Area coaches are split.
It’s only December. No one has played a game yet. But two clear teams seem to already be ahead of the pack in Harford County girls basketball.
Fallston reached the state quarterfinals last year and has made deep postseason runs commonplace, including winning a 2A state championship in 2022. But Edgewood returns three starters from last year’s team that went 18-6 and made the regional final.
“They’re a well-run program with really talented players and a great coaching staff,” one area coach said of Fallston.
“They have my vote to be the 3A state champion this year,” another coach said of Edgewood.
They’ll meet for the first time on Dec. 17, then again on Jan. 31 after splitting last year’s regular season series. This time, the Cougars and Rams will play with perhaps the claim to the area’s best team on the line.
Here’s what to watch for this season in Harford County girls basketball. (Editor’s note: not all teams responded to requests for information.)
Aberdeen
Coach: Jimmia McCluskey, eighth season
Last season: 4-17
Top returners: Seniors Nyjah Harris (G) and Morgan Hargrove (G).
Newcomers to watch: Senior Inee’shea Jordan (G) and junior Zoe Smith (F).
Coach’s outlook: “I look forward to seeing how well my old girls mix with my newcomers and the elevation of the game that they will show this year. We have great potential to be in the mix and be a competitive team for our opponents. This team has shown great communication skills on and off the court to add to their individual skill levels. This year we will have the height and speed to help us in our game plans.”
Bel Air
Coach: Calvin Skelton, 21st season
Last season: 15-6, state quarterfinalist
Top returners: Senior Patricia Jefferson (G); juniors Maya Sauer (F) and Carson Price (F); sophomore Gyte Derby (G).
Newcomers to watch: Senior Sara Oldenberg (G) and sophomore Emily Stillwagon (G).
Coach’s outlook: “We have an entirely new team this year with no starters from the year before. So, naturally, our team has to learn to play together and adjust to the challenges of the varsity game. But our girls love each other and want to help one another persevere through the adversity to come.”
C. Milton Wright
Coach: Mary Buyse, second season
Last season: 9-13
Top returners: Seniors Sam Wolfkill (F), Emma Jankowiak (G), Carley Jehnert (G) and Jordan Miller (F).
Newcomers to watch: Senior Mackenzie Pavlitsa (G); juniors Brennan DeSantis (G), Kylie Shepard (G) and Rachel Cannavale (F).
Coach’s outlook: “This year’s team has a balance of experience and newcomers. We are looking to develop our younger players into tough basketball players, and with our athleticism and talent we hope to be competitive in every game.”
Edgewood
Coach: Wes Laguerre, seventh season
Last season: 18-6, regional finalist
Top returners: Seniors Lilly Smeltzer (C), Phaneirra Barnett (F), Arianna Sisk (F) and Arianna Little (F); juniors Sam Donovan (G) and Jael Erickson (G).
Newcomers to watch: Senior Sofia Ortiz (G); juniors Jazmyne Jordan (G), Chris Lang (G), Samiya Head (C)
Coach’s outlook: “I am looking forward to seeing how our team plays together after building our team chemistry last season. We return four out of five starters, so as long as we stay healthy and work well as a team, I am confident we can be very successful.”
Fallston
Coach: Johnny Woods, sixth season
Last season: 20-5, state quarterfinalist
Top returners: Seniors Natalie Wirth (F), Sarah Gent (G), Jadin Woods (G) and Sarah Gnagey (C); junior Brooke Bolesta (F); sophomore Maura Lawall (G)
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Kaylee Dillard (F), Andrea Dorezas (F), Madelyn Morehead (C) and Simone Small (G).
Coach’s outlook: “This team lost a tough state quarterfinals game last year and we have been working hard in the offseason to return to this game. I expect this team to compete and demonstrate grit in every game. Our goal is simple: be better than we were last year.”
Harford Tech
Coach: Ashley Frazier, second season
Last season: 4-14
Top returners: Seniors Delaney Klaus (F) and Faith Orsini (C); junior Lyric Strong (G).
Newcomers to watch: Sophomores Riley Mullanex (G) and Ciara Smith (G).
Coach’s outlook: “Young players or new acquisitions could bring fresh energy or fill critical gaps. Watching their development is always exciting. Whether it’s a veteran squad or a mix of players, seeing how they jell under pressure is crucial.”
John Carroll
Coach: Jim Stromberg, second season
Last season: 12-8, IAAM B conference finalist
Top returners: Seniors Grace Marchetti (G), Vivian Carrico (G), Alyssa Hughes (F) and Ella Campbell (G); junior Pieper McCue (F)
Newcomer to watch: Freshman Erin Vacek (G)
Coach’s outlook: “As with most teams, replacing graduating seniors is always a challenge. Our team will have 11 juniors or seniors on the roster of 15. The group has a greater understanding of the style we want to play on both ends of the floor, with the ability to play to our strengths and what areas we seek improvement moving throughout the season.”
Joppatowne
Coach: Erica Richardson, 16th season
Last season: 2-19
Top returners: Seniors Taylor Horsey (G) and Celena Watson (G); sophomore Chaniya Cormack (G)
Newcomers to watch: N/A
Coach’s outlook: “We will play hard again this season. We have girls that really want to improve and hopefully we can stay healthy and compete.”
North Harford
Coach: Jason Staiger, first season
Last season: 15-8, regional finalist
Top returners: Seniors Natalie Barndy (G) and Emily Signor (C); juniors Peyton Dawson (F), Payton Dinbokowitz (G) and Lauren Nicholson (G)
Newcomers to watch: Freshmen Camryn Appleby (F) and Amelia Hartlaub (G)
Coach’s outlook: “We look to continue to work hard each game and continuing to improve each game. We will have to play great defense and work hard on offense.”
Patterson Mill
Coach: Richard Wilhelm, fourth season
Last year: 16-6, regional champions
Top returner: Junior Rylie Madsen (C)
Newcomers to watch: Sophomores Isabell Robertson and Riley Clemmer; freshmen Riley Simmering and Sophia Marchena.
Coach’s outlook: “We have to play our style of basketball and work together as a team.”
Have a news tip? Contact Taylor Lyons at tlyons@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/TaylorJLyons.
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