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2008-09 Girls' Basketball Preview
By Washington Post Staff
Wednesday, December 11, 2008; Page E07
Wednesday, December 11, 2008; Page E07
| DISTRICT | ||
| DCIAA Defending City Titlist H.D. Woodson has won three straight DCIAA titles and eight of the past 12, and the Warriors are the overwhelming favorites to do it again. They have won 42 straight against DCIAA opponents (league and non-league games) and will play top national competition. Pinkett, Johnson and Green all have multiple high-Division I offers, and Ransford is a top national recruit in the class of 2010. ..... Theodore Roosevelt has played second fiddle to Woodson the past few years, but these Rough Riders lack experienced scoring. Shamika Lyons and sophomore Jamila Hughes have looked promising. ..... The door might open for Coolidge, which has played a young lineup the past two seasons, to slide into the second spot, led by junior G Shakena Williams and sophomore G Keyanna Tate. ..... After a strong finish last season, Dunbar will carry heavy emotional baggage after the sudden death of senior Taimika Boseman in September. ..... Spurred by a season-opening victory over Roosevelt, McKinley might be much improved behind senior Saquita Simon and junior Kiana Rice. | TOP TEAMS 1. H.D. Woodson (26-5) 2. Theodore Roosevelt (19-6) 3. Dunbar (15-5) TOP PLAYERS G Carleeda Green, H.D. Woodson, Sr., 5-7 C Jeniece Johnson, H.D. Woodson, Sr, 6-6 G Bernisha Pinkett, H.D. Woodson, Sr., 5-8 G Ronika Ransford, H.D. Woodson, Jr., 5-8 G Natasia Saunders, Ballou, Sr., 5-6 | |
| MARYLAND | ||
| Anne Arundel Arundel, which has won six straight county titles, returns its top five scorers from a team that lost the 4A championship game to Eleanor Roosevelt, 52-50. Egwu (Virginia), Davis (Drexel) and senior G Ebonee Jones (La Salle) have all committed to Division I programs. ..... Old Mill, which has lost three straight county title games, graduated three of its top five scorers and will rely on Lucas and 5-5 junior G Kourtney Salisbury. ..... South River, last year's 4A East runner-up, graduated all of its major contributors except 5-5 senior G Amanda Lawrence, who averaged 11.2 points per game. ..... With nine juniors, Meade (14-9 a year ago) hopes to be in the mix. ..... G Katie McGahagan, the county's leading scorer from last season (16 points per game), returns for a Northeast team trying to improve its two-win total from a year ago. | TOP TEAMS | |
| Howard River Hill is the team to beat. Not only do the Hawks have two 6-foot-plus players in Dannelly (Richmond) and Alicia Seelaus (Yale), but talented PG Shantrel Oliver transferred from Wilde Lake. ..... Williams (a McDonald's All-American candidate and North Carolina signee) will team with 6-1 F Brandi Wingate to make Howard a much improved squad under new Coach Kim Kennedy, who returns to her alma mater ..... . Reservoir's Bradford, another All-American candidate who will play at Penn, is the school's career scoring leader (1,050 points) and guided the Gators to 17 wins a year ago ..... . Defending 2A state champion Mount Hebron will be without standout G Aja Wallpher till early 2009 because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament..... . Centennial's Speicher showed she could have the Eagles contending with a 34-point effort in Monday's season-opening win over Reservoir. | TOP TEAMS 1. River Hill (19-6) 2. Howard (7-16) 3. Centennial (14-10) TOP PLAYERS G Brianna Bradford, Reservoir, Sr., 5-5 C Ryann Dannelly, River Hill, Sr., 6-4 F Monet Nias, Oakland Mills, Jr., 6-0 G Molly Speicher, Centennial, Sr., 5-9 C Nyree Williams, Howard, Sr., 6-1 | |
| Montgomery 4A Blake has reached consecutive 4A semifinals and returns three starters from last season, including Douglass, its leading scorer, though Weithman will miss some time with a knee injury. ..... Craig (signed with Delaware) averaged a double-double last year for Wootton, which has won 50 games the past three seasons but is still looking for its first region title. ..... Green (Boston U.), has averaged at least 16 points in each of her three seasons. ..... After winning a school record 19 games, Quince Orchard will try to win its first region title behind seniors Veronica Kresse and Jessica Kramer. ..... Churchill has one of the taller front courts in the county with seniors Marlena Phillips and Alexandra Vasilla, each of whom averaged in double figures last year. | TOP TEAMS 1. Blake (22-4) 2. Wootton (18-6) 3. Churchill (14-8) TOP PLAYERS F Chelsea Craig, Wootton, Sr., 6-2 F Porcha Davis, R. Montgomery, Sr., 5-10 G Danielle Douglass, Blake, Sr., 5-8 C Deven Green, Northwest, Sr., 6-0 G Christine Weithman, Blake, Jr., 5-9 | |
| Montgomery 3A/2A/1A Prior to winning the 3A title, Paint Branch won its 12 league games by an average of 34.5 points, and the Panthers figure to repeat that behind Hislop (signed with JMU) and Quigley, each of whom averaged 20 points last year. ..... Seneca Valley junior Gs Kelsey Wolfe and Audrey Cunningham combined to average of 33 points and should feel more comfortable taking control this season. ..... McRoy led Watkins Mill in scoring as a freshman last year (13.1 ppg). ..... Cunningham has led Clarksburg in scoring in each of her two seasons, and last year, she scored 20 points five times. ..... Rockville has improved its record for three straight seasons, culminating in a 13-7 mark last year. | TOP TEAMS 1. Paint Branch (25-0) 2. Damascus (19-5) 3. Clarksburg (13-12) TOP PLAYERS F Nicole Cunningham, Clarksburg, 6-1, Jr., 6-1 G Tarik Hislop, Paint Branch, 5-7, Sr., 5-7 G Jasmine McRoy, Watkins Mill, 5-8, Soph., 5-8 F/C Khalilah Quigley, Paint Branch, 6-0, Sr., 6-0 G Kelsey Wolfe, Seneca Valley, 5-8, Jr., 5-8 | |
| MVAL Urbana receives a lift this season from 5-7 senior G Ashleigh Fossett, who played at Riverdale Baptist last season. Fossett complements Taylor, who led the Hawks last year in points and blocks per game. ..... Hilderbrand is looking to lead Walkersville back to the state playoffs, where it lost in the semifinals two years ago. She averaged 13 points and eight rebounds last year and leads a solid core of all-conference returners. ..... Cooke had 18 points, 15 rebounds, 9 assists and six steals as Winters Mill won its season opener last week. The Rhode Island recruit led the Falcons to a 25-1 record and the Maryland 2A final last year. ..... Defending Chesapeake Conference champion Linganore is led by Musselman and 6-3 sophomore Samantha Buls also will have an impact. | TOP TEAMS 1. Urbana (14-12) 2. Walkersville (15-9) 3. Winters Mill (25-1) TOP PLAYERS G Cassie Cooke, Winters Mill, Sr., 5-10 F Josie Hilderbrand, Walkersville, Sr., 5-9 G Jessica Musselman, Linganore, Sr., 5-7 G Alyssa Oursler, Middletown, Sr., 5-9 F Katie Taylor, Urbana, Sr., 6-1 | |
| Prince George's 4A Eleanor Roosevelt, the four-time defending state champion, has a starting lineup of five seniors who already have made arrangements to play in college. Applewhite (Dayton), Hall (Syracuse), G Nickia Gibbs (St..Francis, Pa.) and F Ahjah Hall (Duquesne) have signed scholarship papers, and F Alexis Malloy is bound for Air Force. ..... Flowers has been the Raiders' top competition in the league in recent years. Gorham, who averaged 7.8 points and 13 rebounds, has signed with North Carolina A&T. ..... Wise returns three starters, including Pope-Addison (10.7 ppg), and adds G Tiarra Smith, who averaged 12.4 points for Largo last season. ..... Bowie, with McIntosh and F Robin Keke (Quinnipiac) and Duval also could be in the hunt for a top seed in the playoffs. | TOP TEAMS 1. Eleanor Roosevelt (23-2) 2. Wise (17-4) 3. C.H. Flowers (18-6) TOP PLAYERS F Olivia Applewhite, Eleanor Roosevelt, Sr., 6-0 C Nikia Gorham, C.H. Flowers, Sr., 6-2 G Elashier Hall, Eleanor Roosevelt, Sr., 6-0 F Jasmine McIntosh, Bowie, Jr., 5-10 C Morgan Pope-Addison, Wise, Sr., 5-10 | |
| Prince George's 3A/2A/1A Largo is seeking to represent the league in the county title game for the third consecutive season. Lyons is one of the area's best PGs and is surrounded by a veteran lineup that includes F Seonna Johnson, F Alexis Holland and G Brittany Taylor. ..... Crossland improved last season and new coach Chris Williams has several returning players including three-year starting G Jaleesa Honesty and G Moanet Edwards. They are joined by sophomore Gs Danielle Durant and Teasha Wilson, who played at Potomac last year, Durant averaged 10.2 points. ..... Surrattsville, which advanced to the Maryland 1A semifinals last year, has a tough backcourt with Shorter, Endia Hill and BreAnna Gross, a transfer from Holy Cross. ..... Veteran coach Michael Strother moves from Potomac to Gwynn Park. | TOP TEAMS 1. Largo (20-5) 2. Surrattsville (17-8) 3. Crossland (14-9) TOP PLAYERS G Jessica Lyons, Largo, So., 5-6 G Tamara Maxwell, Largo, Sr., 5-8 F Kristin Mobley, Gwynn Park,Sr., 5-10 G Chanae Shorter, Surrattsville, Sr., 5-9 G Jeanne-Marie Wilson, Crossland, So., 5-8 | |
| SMAC The SMAC has plenty of new coaches in new places, with Chopticon (Judy Evans), Lackey (Torez Mitchell), Patuxent (Chris Turlington), Northern (Denise Meadows) and Huntingtown (Felicia Hall) all with new leaders on the sideline. ..... North Point could challenge for the SMAC title in its second varsity season with three legitimate scoring options in juniors Butler, Robyn Parks and Ciara Stewart. ..... McDonough returns six seniors but will have to fill the void left by starting PG Alicia Teamer, who will miss the entire season because of a torn ACL. | TOP TEAMS 1. Great Mills (24-2) 2. Lackey (21-4) 3. North Point (16-8) TOP PLAYERS G Shamara Adams, Great Mills, Sr.,5-9 G Tiara Butler, North Point, Jr., 5-11 F Shavonne Duckett, Lackey, Sr., 5-10 F Kendra Mosely, Lackey,Jr.,5-9 F Shawnese Taylor, Great Mills, Sr., 5-9 | |
| VIRGINIA | ||
| AAA Cardinal Forest Park, which advanced to the AAA championship game last season, returns three players who have orally committed to NCAA Division I schools: Jackson (George Washington), Gatling (Stony Brook) and Scott (Georgia Southern). The Bruins will again be a state title contender with the return of Jackson, the reigning Northwest Region player of the year. ..... Potomac (Va.) graduated All-Met Lynetta Kizer (Maryland) but has a solid nucleus returning with PG Jacobs, G Dominique Whidbee and G-F Quiana Kizer. | TOP TEAMS | |
| AAA Cedar Run Stonewall Jackson was undefeated last season before being upset in the first round of regionals by Potomac. The Raiders graduated District player of the year Gwen Washington, but they return White, who has orally committed to Virginia Tech, and Jordan, who will play for Lafayette. ..... Battlefield opens the season with a difficult schedule in hopes of positioning itself to earn the first regional playoff berth in school history. ..... The top of the district is expected to be crowded, with Stonewall, Battlefield, Osbourn Park and Liberty all fighting for the top two spots. | TOP TEAMS 1. Stonewall Jackson (25-1) 2. Battlefield (13-10) 3. Liberty (15-8) TOP PLAYERS G Selina Mann, Battlefield, Sr., 5-5 G Kyani White, Stonewall Jackson, Jr., 5-6 G-F Samantha Jordan, Stonewall Jackson, Sr., 5-11 G-F Jazmon Gwathmey, Liberty, Soph., 6-0 G Deneka Williams, Osbourn, Sr., 5-8 | |
| AAA Commonwealth North Stafford won the district tournament last year, and the Wolverines return four key players from that team, including Mercer-bound Ingram. ..... Riverbend was undefeated in district play during the regular season last year and returns Frye, one of the area's top scorers. ..... Massaponax added Potomac (Va.) transfer Tajia Johnson. | TOP TEAMS 1. Mountain View (18-5) 2. Riverbend (20-4) 3. North Stafford (13-12) TOP PLAYERS F Marina Fox, Stafford, Sr., 5-11 F Meredyth Frye, Riverbend, Sr., 5-11 C Samoana Ingram, North Stafford, Sr., 6-1 G Taylar Wells, Mountain View, Jr., 5-10 | |
| AAA Concorde St..John's (D.C.) transfer G-F Lauren Burford, now at Fairfax, is averaging 27.3 ppg through three games. ..... Oakton has won 64 of its past 67 Concorde games, with the three losses all being to Westfield. Twins Caroline and Katherine Coyer will bolster the Cougars. ..... Stephenson drained 56 three-pointers last season. "If she's in the parking lot, she's in range," Centreville Coach Wally Horton said. ..... ..... In the district tournament last year, Herndon beat Westfield and Centreville, teams with a combined 36 wins, before losing to Oakton by one in the championship. ..... Centreville's only two regular season district losses last season were to Oakton, including one by two points. ..... Val Allen (Chantilly) is the only new coach in the district. | TOP TEAMS 1. Oakton (22-3) 2. Herndon (8-17) 3. Centreville (19-5) TOP PLAYERS G Phyliss Martin, Herndon, Jr., 5-9 F Erin McGartland, Oakton, Sr., 5-8 G Samantha Partonen, Robinson, Jr., 5-7 G Shelby Romine, Westfield, Jr., 5-8 G Zora Stephenson, Oakton, Soph., 5-10 | |
| AAA Liberty W.T. Woodson advanced to the state tournament last season but graduated C Sarah Schoof (Iona), who averaged 16.1 points per game. ..... After falling in its season opener last year, Madison reeled off 26 consecutive victories before losing in the Northern Region semifinals. The Warhawks graduated seven seniors from that team, including the top three scorers. ..... Langley brings back its top three scorers, including Dotson, who averaged 12.3 points per game as a freshman. ..... Marshall will lean on two junior guards in Theresa Hackett and Carlie Zirkle as it looks to return to the top of the district after finishing eighth in 2007-08. ..... South Lakes, led by Manurs and junior Jasmine Jones, also could challenge for the district crown. | TOP TEAMS 1. Langley (14-11) 2. W.T. Woodson (20-8) 3. Madison (26-2) TOP PLAYERS F Audrey Dotson, Langley, So., 6-1 C Annie Griffin, Woodson, Sr., 6-2 G Melissa Gallo, Woodson, Jr., 5-10 G Kelcyn Manurs, South Lakes, Sr., 5-6 | |
| AAA National Edison, which graduated seven of its top eight scorers, has won 71 consecutive National District games. Goodwin, more of a point guard in the past, poured in 31 points in the opener against Robinson. ..... Junior G Jalinda Venable transferred to Mount Vernon from Paul VI. ..... Yorktown advanced further than Edison last year, reaching the region semifinals. ..... Mount Vernon (Terry Henderson), Washington-Lee (Angie Kelly) and Wakefield (Marcia Richardson) have new coaches. Henderson is Mount Vernon's fourth coach in as many years. Richardson, in her second stint at Wakefield, coached the Warriors from 1993 to 1999. | TOP TEAMS 1. Edison (22-2) 2. Mount Vernon (15-10) 3. Yorktown (20-7) TOP PLAYERS G LaNia Charity, Yorktown, Sr., 5-7 G Myisha Goodwin, Edison, Jr., 5-5 F Janae Jackson, Mount Vernon, Sr., 5-11 G Tracy King, Mount Vernon, Jr., 5-10 F Lindiwe Rennert, Yorktown, Jr., 5-10 | |
| AAA Patriot Ruffin-Pratt (North Carolina), Landers (Stony Brook) and Mial (James Madison) all have signed for next season. Mial, the region tournament MVP last year, will be out until after the holidays with a stress fracture in her shin. ..... Cavanaugh Hagen is the third coach in three seasons at T.C. Williams, which graduated eight players off a 22-1 team. ..... T.C. has beaten West Springfield in the past three district finals. ..... Chrissy Kelly, who led Forest Park to five consecutive state tournaments and two titles before working as a George Mason University assistant last year, is the new coach at South County. ..... West Springfield, with impressive depth, is carrying three freshmen, including G April Robinson, who scored 19 in the season opener. | TOP TEAMS 1. T.C. Williams (22-1) 2. West Springfield (18-9) 3. Lee (25-4) TOP PLAYERS F Simone Antwi, South County, Soph., 6-1 G Khalia Boston, T.C. Williams, Sr., 5-6 G Samantha Landers, West Springfield, Sr., 5-6 F Kristine Mial, Lee, Sr., 5-10 G Tierra Ruffin-Pratt, T.C. Williams, Sr., 6-0 | |
| AA Battlefield James Monroe won its first district title at the AA level last year and returns four starters, including Bilnita Armstead, the Region I player of the year. ..... Eastern View is a new addition to the district, but it could surprise thanks to a team comprising comprised mostly of transfers from Culpeper High. ..... King George returns four starters from last year's team, which finished with the school's best record in nearly a decade. | TOP TEAMS 1. James Monroe (22-2) 2. Courtland (18-8) 3. King George (18-6) TOP PLAYERS G Bilnita Armstead, James Monroe, Sr., 5-7 G Kara Braybant, King George, Jr., 5-6 G Kirastin Cole, James Monroe, Jr., 5-6 C Karina Monroe, Courtland, Sr., 5-11 | |
| AA Dulles Loudoun County ripped off 17 consecutive wins last year before falling in the regular season finale to Freedom, a team it later beat in the district tournament final. Those two teams are again expected to battle for the district crown, though the Eagles downed the Raiders 73-49 on Dec..6. Freedom's Porter committed to Colorado State earlier this year. ..... Broad Run graduated talented G Alexis Campbell (Sacred Heart) and will look to rebuild. ..... Briar Woods, led by Bell, could be a sleeper to challenge for the district. | TOP TEAMS 1. Freedom-South Riding (20-7) 2. Loudoun County (22-4) 3. Briar Woods (15-9) TOP PLAYERS G Brittany Batts, Loudoun County, Soph., 5-8 F Kim Bell, Briar Woods, Jr., 6-0 C Kelsey Buchanan, Freedom, Jr., 6-3 G Meixandra Porter, Freedom, Sr., 5-5 G-F Dionna Scott, Freedom, Soph., 5-10 | |
| AA Northwestern Handley lost Virginia Commonwealth commitment Jacqueline Brewer in the offseason when she transferred to Martinsburg (W.Va.) High. Brewer, now a junior, was one of the area's top scorers last season. ..... Another young scoring phenom enters the league at Millbrook, where Green debuts. She is the sister of former Millbrook All-Met boys' basketball player Erick Green, who is now at Paul VI Catholic. The Pioneers are the district favorite for the first time with the return of four starters from last year's district runner-up. | TOP TEAMS 1. Millbrook (14-12) 2. Handley (16-7) 3. James Wood (15-9) TOP PLAYERS G Heather Armel, James Wood, Jr., 5-9 G Keyla Baltimore, Brentsville, Sr., 5-10 G Erin Drumheller, Handley, Soph., 5-6 G Courtni Green, Millbrook, Fr., 5-9 | |
| A Bull Run After five seasons as the JV boys' coach and the past three as the JV girls' coach, LaBryan Thomas takes over as head coach at George Mason. The Mustangs made it to the state semifinals last season. George Mason lost eight players from that team and will count on senior F Kimberly Kenny and junior guards Mitchell and Chantal Thomas. ..... Clarke County graduated the majority of its scoring, including Bull Run first-teamer Danielle Moyer and District player of the year Elante Payton. Filling those leadership roles will be senior guards Sophia Holmes and Tara Fields, and senior F Misty Munson. ..... Besides Brown, who averaged 12 points per game last season on a three-win team, Manassas Park returns senior Leann Breeden (13.1 ppg). | TOP TEAMS 1. Strasburg (24-2) 2. George Mason (20-10) 3. Clarke County (16-7) TOP PLAYERS G Jaclyn Ayers, Strasburg, Jr., 5-8 G Che Brown, Manassas Park, Jr., 5-7 G Nicole Mitchell, George Mason, Jr., 5-8 F Jenna Smoot, Strasburg, Jr., 6-0 | |
| PRIVATE | ||
| PVAC Grace Brethren will attempt to defend its conference championship of a year ago and is led by the shifty Jones (19.9 ppg ..... McLean School must cope with the loss of its leading returning scorer, senior Meredith MacLauchlan, who injured her ACL and is likely out for the remainder of the season. In her stead, Milder and Dowd will try to fill the void offensively and pilot a second straight run to the conference championship game. ..... A young, fast, and developing Covenant Life squad (only three seniors on the roster) also could contend for the conference championship. | TOP TEAMS 1. Grace Brethren-Clinton (22-5) 2. Oakcrest School (14-10) 3. Covenant Life (17-5) TOP PLAYERS G Andrea Jones, Grace Brethren-Clinton, Jr., 5-3 G Elena Milder, McLean School, Jr., 5-4 G Ann Marie McPherson, Oakcrest, Sr., 5-4 G Eileen Kuzma, Oakcrest, Jr., 5-6 F/C Keara Dowd, McLean School, Sr., 5-9 | |
| WCAC The area's top league is loaded with talent. With Sheahin (Loyola), G Sarian Snyder and F Symone Lyles (Ohio U.), Good Counsel Coach Tom Splaine thinks he has one of his top defensive teams. The Falcons have finished no worse than a tie for first place in the league's regular season the past three years. ..... St..John's, with a senior-laden lineup, should join the lead pack this season led by James (Air Force) and 6-6 C Sydney Wilson (Georgetown). ..... Another up-and-comer is Elizabeth Seton, with one-time Maryland star Jazz Perazic as coach. ..... McNamara lost all five of its starters from last year's league championship team, but the Mustangs again will be in the hunt. | TOP TEAMS 1. Holy Cross (22-11) 2. Good Counsel (29-5) 3. St..John;s (14-14) TOP PLAYERS F Stephanie Anya, Holy Cross, Sr., 6-2 G Michea Bryant, Bishop McNamara, Jr., 5-6 F Dymond James, St..John's, Sr.,5-10 F Tyuanna Marshall, Elizabeth Seton, Sr., 5-11 G Katie Sheahin, Good Counsel, Sr., 5-9 | |
| ISL AA Having won 98 games in the past four years, two-time defending league champion Georgetown Visitation looks to continue its success from its 29-5 run last season behind Krusen (15 ppg), who led the area in three-pointers last season with 109. ..... National Cathedral will look to McClure to help it overcome the graduation of Grace Mashore (Stanford). ..... Aust and Adena David are two of Bullis's five returning impact players, while new additions Taylor Jenkins, a 6-foot freshman, and Whitman transfer Christina Lundelius, give the Bulldogs depth and balance. ..... Holton-Arms has started its season 4-2 behind Austin, Sophia Corrigan and Haley Gibert -- each are averaging in double figures. | TOP TEAMS 1. Georgetown Visitation (29-5) 2. Bullis (15-12) 3. Holton-Arms (23-5) TOP PLAYERS G Nicole Krusen, Georgetown Visitation, Jr., 6-0 C-F Logan Frederick, Flint Hill, Sr., 6-0 G Caitlin McClure, National Cathedral, Jr., 5-7 G Alex Aust, Bullis, Sr., 5-8 G Sequoia Austin, Holton-Arms, Jr., 5-6 | |
| ISL A Azzara of St..Andrew's has taken command early this season, averaging 19.5 points as the Lions have won their first two games. Along with a strong post presence, St..Andrew's will rely on a youthful backcourt in Azzara, sophomore Claire DeVaney and freshman Tiffany Webster. ..... Georgetown Day returns just one senior, but juniors Marx, Bridgers and Moni Fabunmi lead a core of five players who have played together since their freshman year. ..... Minor and Katherine Craven are back after lifting Maret to an 18-5 finish last year -- good for a second-place tie in the league. ..... Sidwell Friends returns all five starters from last season, including William & Mary-bound Hilton. | TOP TEAMS 1. Georgetown Day (21-6) 2. St..Andrew's (15-10) 3. Sidwell Friends (7-19) TOP PLAYERS G Tiffany Minor, Maret, Soph., 5-11 G Nikki Azzara, St..Andrew's, Jr. 5-5 F Taylor Hilton, Sidwell Friends, Sr., 5-11 G Sally Marx, Georgetown Day, Jr., 5-8 F Darian Bridgers, Georgetown Day, Jr., 5-10 | |
The Post's Josh Barr provides the latest news about all of the top talent in the area.
