This season promises to be different for defending Maryland 2A champion Potomac. Despite graduating third-team All-Met guard Lauren Brittingham, Coach Michael Strother is intent on playing at a higher tempo this season with a roster that includes only two non-seniors.
Potomac will be led by guard Juantele Cook (18 ppg) and the talented frontcourt of Keyonna Simms, Dannielle Shearin and Candance Elam, a group that should be bolstered by 6-4 center Jenae Jones. Freshman Pryncess Tate-Dublins will start at forward and junior forward Caprice Session, a transfer from Connecticut, also should help.
"We're deeper than we were last year," Strother said.
Potomac and 3A champion Gwynn Park appear to be the class of the league, but several coaches picked Friendly as a team that could surprise. Veteran coach Darryl Nixon has three starters returning, with junior Jasmine Blanks at point guard and Lauren Manning at center. Sophomore Brittany James, a 5-foot-10 post player, "is ready for prime time," Nixon said. Reserve forward Kcatrena Jackson is the team's only senior.
Elsewhere, most of the teams in the league have to replace their leading scorers.
Douglass forward Kellie Tyler (17.1 ppg) is not playing this season because of disciplinary reasons, according to Coach Ed Cowan, and guard Tara Hickman is recovering from an ankle injury suffered during soccer season. Center Shadara Peters and guard Vanessa Siberon are the Eagles' returning starters.
DuVal also must replace its leading scorer, center Jennifer Martin, so new coach Keith Devoe will rely on returning starters Brittney Hollins and Mbalu Forna-Delo, both guards, and forward Erica Green.
Senior guard Tiffany Padgett is the only returning starter at Forestville. Brionna Carter, who led the team in scoring as a freshman, transferred to National Christian. Guard Tiffany Morgan and forward Sabrina Cato will move into the starting lineup. Assistant Erica Bell-Barnett coached the team for much of the preseason after Coach Vincent McDuffie was suspended, he said, for not arriving at school early enough.
Kenneta Johnson moved from shooting guard to point guard for Bladensburg, which also brings back forward Dominique Patton. But the Mustangs will have to find a way to replace Kolade Aderoju, now at Maryland-Eastern Shore.
Fairmont Heights Coach Bill Hughes believes having three returning starters will pay off this season. Center Brittney Smith, forward Tyeisha Briscoe and guard Chameikia Duvall return, and the Hornets could get a boost from senior point guard Sharmelle Williams, who missed most of last season because of a shoulder injury.
Central has a new coach in Emil Dyson, but is expected to be young and inexperienced and did not have enough players come out to field a junior varsity team. Surrattsville ended last season on a 19-game losing streak. Junior forward Shamelia Goff (team-high 12.3 ppg) returns for Crossland.
-- JOSH BARR
