Preseason boys basketball top 20 As of Dec 4, 2002 1. Archbishop Spalding Last season: 28-5, ranked No. 4 The Cavaliers should roll locally behind 7-footer Will Bowers and a deep supporting cast. 2. Lake Clifton Last season: 16-10, No. 16 With a blue-chip frontline of 6-8 seniors Tavon Nelson and Kyle Garrison, the Lakers are the team to beat in Baltimore City. 3. Annapolis Last season: 25-1, No. 2 The Panthers add quickness and depth to the potent trio of Laronja Owens, Josh Johnson and Elliott Devoe. 4. Douglass Last season: 28-0, No. 1 The Ducks lost all five starters from their unbeaten Class 3A state title team, but a few returning players and transfers should make them a force again. 5. Randallstown Last season: 25-1, No. 3 The Rams build around guard Levi Stukes in their quest of regaining the 3A state title. 6. Mervo Last season: 17-9, No. 8 The Frazier brothers, Paul and Chester, and their mates have no intention of giving up their 4A North regional title. 7. Mount St. Joseph Last season: 24-8, No. 5 Quality 6-6 players Will Thomas and Anthony Fair give the Gaels hope of challenging Spalding in the Baltimore Catholic League/Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference. 8. Calvert Hall Last season: 22-9, No. 7 Defense and speed, buoyed by senior guards Marques Thompson, Vince Delaney and Jack McClinton, will compensate for the Cardinals' lack of depth. 9. Dunbar Last season: 21-6, No. 6 A lot depends on Michael Thompson's play in the paint and the leadership of guard Mo Barksdale for the Poets to contend in the city. 10. St. Frances Last season: 10-18, unranked A wealth of speed may help the Panthers turn it around for the first time since the days of Mark Karcher (1995-97). 11. Southern-AA Last season: 15-8, No. 17 The Bulldogs have one of their deepest teams in recent memory and could make their first trip to the 2A final four since 1996. 12. Walbrook Last season: 18-6, No. 10 Velmar Coleman and Dustin Lawson will make the Warriors a threat in the city Division II race and the tough 4A North region. 13. McDonogh Last season: 17-10, No. 11 The Eagles will turn up the tempo with guards Corey Davis and Jon Brick and forward Mike Popoko. 14. Aberdeen Last season: 17-7, unranked Guard Dejon Brown leads a deep group of talented players. Robbie Jackson, a 7-foot sophomore, needs time to develop but should help the Eagles. 15. Lansdowne Last season: 15-9, unranked Forward Barry Cornish and the seniors who played on the 18-1 JV team two years ago could lead the Vikings to big things in Baltimore County's Division I. 16. Long Reach Last season: 18-6, No. 19 The backcourt of Mike Smelkinson and Jared Bradford and the 6-5 duo of Zach Hines and Terrell Blackwell make the Lightning Howard County's top team. 17. Woodlawn Last season: 14-9, No. 20 With 6-8 senior Thomas Hickson in the pivot, the Warriors are one of the standouts of Baltimore County. 18. Southern-Balto. Last season: 14-7, No. 12 If Sheldon Walker can get some help, the Bulldogs will compete in the city Division II race. 19. Gilman Last season: 21-13, unranked The 6-6 seniors Victor Abiamiri and Luke Wilson make the Greyhounds the MIAA B Conference front-runner. 20. Meade Last season: 19-7, No. 13 Graduation hit the Mustangs hard, but you never know what the transient school will turn up to help Terrance Johnson and Dan Brearly. Copyright © 2002, The Baltimore Sun