The biggest concern for a defending state champion is the turnover within the team. Long Reach High boys basketball coach Al Moraz faces the difficult task of replacing four starters.
“Obviously,” he said, “we?ve lost a lot of kids from last year. … I?m not saying we?re rebuilding, but we?re reloading.”
Moraz is not giving in, though. He can?t. Not with the target his players wear every night after winning last year?s Class 3A championship.
“I keep telling my guys that we?re the defending champs ? county regional and states ? and the bulls-eye on our back has never been bigger,” Moraz said.
The same can be said for Baltimore City power Dunbar, which has now won four consecutive 1A state titles.
The Poets will be challenged by the likes of Walbrook, Douglass, Mervo and City in league play. Led by coach Eric Lee, the Dunbar program owns a whopping 11 state titles overall.
In Baltimore County, Randallstown will try to defend its 2A state title by looking for strength in numbers.
“We?re really going to have to play better ? a collaboration ? and really work harder on the defensive end,” Randallstown coach Kim Rivers said.
Besides Dunbar, Randallstown and Long Reach, there are some other strong programs around the state. In Harford County, three-time state champion Aberdeen ? its last title coming in 2000 ? should battle with Edgewood and Joppatowne for county supremacy.
Carroll County?s Winters Mill, last year?s 2A West Region champ, will challenge in the Monocacy Valley Athletic League.
North County, which lost to Old Mill in the 4A East Region final last year, should be strong in Anne Arundel County play again this year. Glen Burnie, Annapolis and Broadneck also look like contenders.
