Edgewood was the class of Harford County last season and returns most of the talent that made the Rams so dangerous. Reigning Aegis Player of the Year Sam Donovan, a sharpshooting guard, and backcourt made Jael Erickson are back to form perhaps the most lethal one-two punch in northeast Maryland.
Asked which teams could threaten Edgewood, area coaches identified C. Milton Wright, led by Mount Carmel transfer Kiersten Rurka, and Fallston, which always poses a difficult test with longtime coach Johnny Woods at the helm.
Here’s what to watch for in Harford County high school girls basketball this season. (Editor’s note: not all teams responded to requests for information.)
Players to watch
Brooke Bolesta, Fallston
Bolesta was one of the top rebounders and shot blockers in the state last season, where she averaged eight points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three blocks per contest.
Sam Donovan, Edgewood
Donovan, the reigning Aegis player of the year, led Edgewood to a regional final last season and will look to do more alongside a strong returning group of Rams.
Rylie Madsen, Patterson Mill
Madsen was at the center of a regional title-winning Huskies team last season. This year, she’ll have a first-year coach who could lean on the senior.
Here’s more about each team:
Aberdeen
Coach: Jimmia McCluskey, eighth season
Last season: 16-7
Top returning players: Senior Courtney Browne (F); sophomore Imyjah Wainwright (G).
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Jaelle Flournoy (F) and Cheyenne Lane (F); sophomore Kymora Lyons (G).
What must happen for your team to succeed? “My players will need to communicate with each other because we have a lot of newcomers and also a younger team.” — McCluskey
Bel Air
Coach: Calvin Skelton, 22nd season
Last season: 1-18
Top returning players: Seniors Carson Price (F) and Maya Sauer (F); junior Emily Stillwagon (G).
Newcomers to watch: Juniors Kaila Podier-Grier (G), Jailah Vaughan (F) and Leah McGivern (F).
What must happen for your team to succeed? “Our team has to learn the balance between unselfish play and aggressive mentality. We have a totally new mix of players who have amazing chemistry off of the court, and they are learning to play together on the court.” — Skelton
C. Milton Wright
Coach: Mary Buyse, third season
Last season: 11-9, region semifinalist
Top returning players: Seniors Brennan DeSantis (G) and Rachel Cannavale (F); junior Lanie Gunter (G)
Newcomers to watch: Senior Kiersten Rurka (G); junior Jill Hatfield (F); sophomore Stella Musto (G)
What must happen for your team to succeed? “Last year we started five seniors, so this season is about building chemistry among a new group of players. We are excited to have transfer Kiersten Rurka coming to us from Mount Carmel. Kiersten is a natural leader and is pushing the team to be competitive.” — Buyse
Edgewood
Coach: Wes Laguerre, eighth season
Last season: 17-6, regional finalists
Top returning players: Seniors Sam Donovan (G), Jael Erickson (G) and Chris Lang (G).
Newcomers to watch: Junior Jaylin Little (F); freshmen Najs Dalmida (G) and Alijah Nickelson (G).
What must happen for your team to succeed? “For us to be successful, we need to play as a unit and overcome any adversity that comes our way.” — Laguerre
Fallston
Coach: Johnny Woods, seventh season
Last season: 17-6, state quarterfinalists
Top returning players: Seniors Brooke Bolesta (F) and Andrea Dorezas (F); junior Maura Lawall (G).
Newcomers to watch: Seniors Phaedra Michaelides (C) and Madelyn Morehead (F); junior Kaitlyn Kasten (G).
What must happen for your team to succeed? “We must defend at a high level every night. Scoring consistently will be a challenge, so we need to dictate tempo and force teams to play our style of basketball. With the loss of our best 3-point shooter, it’s crucial that Bolesta, Lawall and Dorezas step up and help fill that gap on the perimeter. If we can keep opponents under 35 points per game, we’ll put ourselves in a position to compete with anyone.” — Woods
Harford Tech
Coach: Katie Olmstead, first season
Last season: 4-17
Top returning players: Senior Lyric Strong (G); juniors Riley Mullenax (G) and Sadie Larkins (F).
Newcomers to watch: Seniors Miley Becoat (G) and Olivia Marcello; sophomore Jordyn Sears (G).
What must happen for your team to succeed? “In order for our team to succeed we must play as one unit from baseline to baseline. Each player must embrace their role, understanding that our strength is when we play as a team. We need to trust our process and focus on daily improvements that come from discipline, teamwork and preparation.” — Olmstead
Havre de Grace
Coach: Wes Jacobs, second season
Last season: 10-13, regional finalists
Top returning players: Senior Mercy Korentang (C); junior Sabree Knox (F); sophomore ROxy Schmitt (G).
Newcomers to watch: Freshmen Audrey Stacey (G), Mya Norris (G) and Deyanira Paez (F).
What must happen for your team to succeed? “Young players need to step in and make an impact. We have some freshmen coming in that will need to make an impact for this team to reach their peak. Returning players need to lead by example to help the team push through any obstacles.” — Jacobs
Joppatowne
Coach: Erica Richardson, 14th season
Last season: 5-16
Top returning players: Senior Tyionna Jones (G); juniors Chaniya Cormack (G) and Avery-Marie Bowens (G).
Newcomer to watch: Senior Jayden Johnson (G).
What must happen for your team to succeed? “Thankfully, our team has played together for a few years. We combined our two teams last year, which provided our JV players an opportunity to experience the speed and competition at the varsity level. While some saw it as an obstacle, we were grateful to see the commitment from our players. Our three new varsity athletes are learning from other players and coaches each day.” — Richardson
North Harford
Coach: Jason Staiger, second season
Last season: 13-9, region semifinalists
Top returning players: Seniors Peyton Dawson (F), Payton Dinbokowitz (G) and Lauren Nicholson (F).
Newcomers to watch: Sophomores Ava Heath (G) and Anjel Lindsey (G); freshman Emily Jourdan (G).
What must happen for your team to succeed? “We must work together this year. Every time we step on the court we have to give it our all. We can not leave anything out there. We are looking at our seniors for leadership and our underclassmen to continue to grow into their own.” — Staiger
Patterson Mill
Coach: Jeff Burrows, first season
Last season: 16-7, state quarterfinalists
Top returning players: Seniors Rylie Madsen (C) and Sophia Trinh (G); sophomore Sophia Marchena (G).
Newcomers to watch: Junior Riley Simmering (G); freshmen Andrianna Nezis (F) and Anthi Nezis (F).
What must happen for your team to succeed? ”Continue to build off a successful summer and fall seasons by working hard in practice and getting better everyday. We will blend youth with experience most likely starting two seniors with two freshmen and a sophomore, so we need court time together.” — Burrows
Have a news tip? Contact Taylor Lyons at tlyons@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/TaylorJLyons.
Leave A Comment