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The Glenelg High boys basketball team will be under new management this winter.

Jansen McMillan is guiding the Howard County program, succeeding Jeremy Snyder. Snyder, who guided the Gladiators for 11 seasons, stepped down last spring to spend more time with his family. McMillan coached Glenelg's junior varsity last season.

"It's been a smooth transition," said McMillan. "I'm pretty much a replica of Snyder, the kids know what's expected."

The Gladiators return eight letter winners from last season's 9-15 squad. They graduated Tyler Sones from the starting lineup, but have 6 foot 1 senior guard Gage Trawick, 6-1 junior guard Shane Kellaher, 6-4 junior forward Erik Siegfried and 6-4 sophomore forward Troy Spurrier back.

There's a wealth of backcourt personnel with juniors Ryan Griffin (5-10), Rob Mullinix (5-11) and Matt Hyer (6-1). Sophomore forward Chad Felix (6-3) also returns.

"Any of those eight can contribute immediately," said McMillan.

"This team is tough mentally, especially on defense. The question will be getting critical stops in important parts of games."

McMillan said Glenelg lack a true inside presence with Siegfried and Spurrier its tallest performers. He isn't sure how that'll play out in the postseason as the Gladiators move into the Class 2A South Region with county rivals Hammond, Long Reach, Marriotts Ridge and Oakland Mills as well as Prince George's County stalwarts Gwynn Park and Frederick Douglass, which reached the state finals.

" We can play any style of the ball, we're going to lean those eight guys," said McMillan, whose team opens Saturday evening against neighborhood rival Glenelg Country School. "We're going to take it up another notch. One man isn't going to make or break us, every man is important."

Glenelg girls attempt to improve with five returners

They return five letter winners from last season's 8-14 squad including leading scorer Rachel Smith, a 5-foot-10 forward who was a first-team All Gazette pick with averages of 14 points and eight rebounds per contest.

Glenelg head coach Don Beall will rely heavily on 5-6 senior guard Hannah Gaw and junior guard Liz Ebeling (5-8). Guards Danielle Burris (5-5) and Alyssa Parker (5-4) played as freshman last winter.

Beall said 5-5 freshman guard Emily Russo will have an impact along with sophomore guard Mary Kittleman (5-6). Beall thinks the Gladiators, who move to the 2A South Region, will be in the thick of the Howard County League race.

"We're very good defensively, [but] we're going to get killed on the boards," said Beall, whose team lost to South Carroll in the 1A South sectionals last winter.

"This team is so better with speed and depth. The practices are so much more competitive."