MaxPreps 2013-14 Rhode Island preseason girls basketball Fab 5

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

1. La Salle Academy (Providence)
2012-13 finish: 22-4 (Division 1 state champions)
Head coach: Sean Reddy

Davitta Dale, a junior who averaged 17.7 points per game in the playoffs last year, along with point guard Mikayla Murphy, form a talented 1-2 guard combo that can push the Rams to another state title.

2. Exeter-West Greenwich
2012-13 finish: 22-2 (Division 1 state semifinals)
Head coach: Steven McGrane

The Scarlet Knights retain the state’s top girls basketball player, Taylor Buckley, who averaged 17.5 points, 12.6 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. She’ll have to up the ante without Jaclyn Harrington, an all-state forward, and Kathleen Rafanelli.

3. Barrington
2012-13 finish:  22-3 (Division 1 state runner up)
Head coach: Stephen Lenz

Barrington fell to La Salle Academy in the state final, 62-29, giving plenty of motivation for senior Maura Kelty (10.8 points per game) who returns without the help of first-team all-state forward Caitlyn Nolan. 

4. Westerly
2012-13 finish: 19-6
Head coach: Holly Misto

On a team that lost only four seniors, none bigger than forward Hannah Dobson (16.4 points per game), the Bulldogs appear to be in good shape heading into the season. It helps that Dobson’s little sister, Emily Dobson, is back. She put up 10.4 points per game last season. Madison-sean McLaughlin will also be back to help Westerly improve upon last season’s Division 1 semifinal finish.

5. Johnston
2012-13 finish: 14-8
Head coach: Chris Corsinetti

Senior Alexandra Diraimo and Karina Mattera are expected to carry the load for the Panthers this season for one of Division 2’s top teams.