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With a solid blend of returning starters, incoming freshmen and a key transfer, the Bowie High School girls' basketball team is set to join the elite squads this year in the County 4A League.

The Bulldogs went 16-8 last winter and fourth-year coach Michael Hines is not anticipating any regression at this point.

"We have seven returning players and we picked up one transfer and we've added some freshmen that can give us a boost," Hines said. "We're going to play in a tough tournament at Western High School Dec. 12-14, and I think that will help get us ready for our league schedule. I don't think the league will be as top heavy this year, especially since Roosevelt graduated almost their entire state championship team. I think we'll be in the mix with [Henry A.] Wise, Northwestern and [Charles H.] Flowers."

Senior Jasmine McIntosh, a Gazette-Star All-County First Team selection last winter, returns after averaging 17.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game as a junior.

Bowie also features seniors Lashana Lewis, Sharnel Huff and Jasmine Johnson, and juniors Linnel Macklin and Amara Mbionwu. Kiyana Tate transferred to Bowie from Coolidge (D.C.) High, and freshmen Tyra Durrett and Morgan Newbold also are newcomers to the Bulldogs.

Largo

Largo fifth-year coach Ayanna Ball-Ward guided her alma mater to a 3A state title in 2007 and a state semifinal appearance last year. With four returning players and some youthful understudies who will aid with the defensive effort, the coach is still eyeing lofty goals.

"I think our short-term goal is to have everyone playing with cohesiveness," said Ball, whose team will open the season Saturday against Baltimore's Western High at Georgetown Prep. "Hopefully the girls that we have coming back will help bring the other girls along at the same level. I really want them to stay focused and maintain their intensity. Our long-term goal is to get back to states. I don't think the [County 3A/2A/1A] League is as competitive as in recent years."

Largo (23-4 last year) will have Jessica Lyons, Brittany Taylor, Cierra Johnson and Alexis Holland returning this winter. Lyons was a Gazette-Star All-County first team selection as a sophomore last year after averaging 17.6 points per game. Ball-Ward expects to integrate several younger players from the junior varsity squad, primarily for defensive purposes. The Lions will open their league slate at Fairmont Heights on Dec. 11.

DuVal

Sixth-year coach Keith Devoe was uncertain about his starting five as the Tigers prepare for their Dec. 11 season opener against Bowie. Two potential starters transferred to Princeton Day Academy in Lanham.

"I really couldn't say who my starting five is going to be at this point," Devoe said. "I lost two girls to transfer, Shanice Henry and Dianna Braxton, and both were juniors who I was hoping to have for two more years. I think right now we're trying to develop chemistry since we don't have a lot of game experience."

DuVal will have five returning players, including seniors Tamara Russell and Oneisha Shinault and juniors Shaunice Carpenter, Falon Turner and Randi Blaine.

Riverdale Baptist

After spending one year as an assistant coach at American University, another at the University of Maryland, College Park, and then one year off, Dianne Richardson will begin her second stint with the Crusaders this winter. Richardson, who was 144-18 in five seasons at Riverdale Baptist from the 2001-02 season through 2005-06, will have her team playing a busy schedule that kicked off last week at a tournament in Memphis, Tenn.

"Our long-term goal is to be one of the top 10 teams in the country," Richardson said. "We're jumping right into the fire early. We have some tough tournaments that we're looking to play, and we play a lot of good teams from across the state. It's a whole new situation now. We have some new kids and they're trying to get used to a new coach and a new system. We play a tough schedule, but our goal is to get ranked and you have to play the better teams to do that."

Riverdale will have seniors Ulyssia Richmond, Ataira Franklin and Kelila Atkinson on the floor with juniors Lauren Chase and Jennie Simms. Reserves Tyanna Williams, Diana Logan, Whitney King, Jasmine Mongo and Jonquel Jones should also get considerable playing time. The Crusaders are scheduled to compete in three more tournaments, including the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials Tournament Dec. 26-29 at Prince George's Community College.

Charles H. Flowers

Patrice Frazier will head into her ninth season with the Jaguars with one of her youngest groups after losing 10 seniors to graduation.

The Jaguars went 19-5 last year, but lost to Eleanor Roosevelt in the 4A South Region final for the third consecutive season. But heading into the Dec. 11 season opener at High Point, Frazier said the Jaguars are set to reach individual and team goals.

"That was the biggest class that we've ever had," Frazier said of last year's 10 graduates. "But the best part is they're all in college now, which is great. We only have one returning starter [Lauren Brown] and some returning juniors and a bunch of players up from junior varsity. The coaching staff has stayed consistent, which is always a good thing. We have some individual goals and some team goals, and right now we're having fun and not worried about what the other teams in the 4A have or don't have."

In addition to Lauren Brown, the Jaguars will have juniors Dominique Person, Raven Yelder and Tiffany Wiles and freshmen center Bianca Brown on the floor when they head to High Point. Michelle Shackelford, who helped lead the Flowers softball team to its first 4A South Region title last spring, will also see playing time this winter.