MaxPreps 2013-14 Maryland preseason girls basketball Fab 5

Click here to see the girls basketball preseason Fab 5 from every state

1. Riverdale Baptist (Upper Marlboro)
Head coach: Sam Caldwell
2012-13 finish: 29-6

The Crusaders, who are ranked No. 13 in the Xcellent 25, have three players heading to the ACC: North Carolina State-bound Chloe Jackson (5-9, Sr., G), who averaged 16 points per game: Florida State-bound Chania Ray (5-9, Sr., G), who averaged 15 points and Miami-bound Khaila Prather (6-2, Sr., C). This talented team will also feature Lena Niang (6-2, Jr., G), Passion Scott (6-1, Jr., C) and Alysha Berry (5-5, Sr., G). The Crusaders will play in the Nike TOC and will also participate in a three-game exhibition during a Nov. 22-29 visit to Germany, which includes visiting Wounded Warriors.
 
2. Aberdeen
Head coach: Amber Milnes
2012-13 finish: 25-3, beat River Hill for second-straight Class AAA state title
 
Stephanie Jones (6-3, So., G), who averaged 19.2 points per game as a freshman, is one of the best players in Maryland. Kierra Palmer (5-4, Jr., PG) and Nazje Norton (5-5, Jr. G) will be impact players, as will Taylor Cole (5-7, Jr., F) and Katie Sanderson (6-2, Jr., F). “We plan to have another good season ahead of us, behind Stephanie and Kierra,” coach Amber Milnes said. 

3. McDonogh (Owings Mills)
Head coach: Brad Rees
2012-13 finish: 22-9, lost to Archbishop Spalding in the state Independent Athletic Association of Maryland Class AA finals
 
The Eagles return all five starters and return nine of their top 11 players: St. Francis commit Maya Wynn (5-11, Sr., G), Central Connecticut State commit Brianna Jacobs (5-9, Sr., F), Jameira Johnson (6-2, Jr., F), East Carolina commit Dajah Logan (6-0, Jr., G) and Danielle Edwards (5-8, Jr., G). Adding depth is Andrea Robinson (6-0, So., F). “I think we’ll compete for our conference championship,” coach Brad Rees said. “We have a very tough out-of-conference schedule, so we’ll be tested early. We’re excited about the experience we have back, with a sophomore and three juniors.”
 
4. Roland Park Country (Baltimore)
Head coach: Scott Buckley
2012-13 finish: 16-10, lost in the IAAM Class A state semifinals to eventual champion Spalding
 
The Reds have been to the state finals five times and have yet to win. They have four starters back: Lindsey Edwards (5-11, Jr., F), who averaged 13 points per game, St. Joseph’s commit Michala Clay (6-1, Jr., F), Ryan Holder (5-9, So., G) and Jaia Alexander (5-10, So., G). Also back are Bailey Andrews (6-0, So., F) and Francesca Whitehurst (5-7, Jr., G), a Georgetown lacrosse commit. The Reds have one senior back out of their top 12 players. Watch Alexander, who is a budding star after averaging 10 points and four assists as a freshman. “I like what we have and we’re legit nine deep, so for high school, that’s pretty good,” coach Scott Buckley said.  
 
5. River Hill (Clarksville)
Head coach: Teresa Waters
2012-13 finish: 24-4, lost to Aberdeen in state 3A championship
 
The Hawks return two starters: Twins Jenna and Julia Collins (5-8, Sr., Guards), though most players back have varsity experience, like Sydney Poindexter (6-0, So., F), Jess Hopkins (5-4, So., G), Halley Seybold (5-8, Jr., F), Chelsea Buchane (5-7, Jr., G), Annie Clark (6-0, Jr., C), Margaux Hrab (5-7, Jr., G), Caitlin Gilbert (5-8, Sr. F) and Bridget Frankhauser (5-4, So., G). “This is a new group who prepared the ones that did play on a daily basis last year,” coach Teresa Waters said. “As the year progresses, we’re going to get better and better as long as everyone stays healthy.”