MaxPreps 2014-15 Delaware preseason girls basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Sanford (Hockessin)
Head Coach: Marcus Thompson
2013-14 finish: 23-1, state champions

Sanford will attempt to defend its state title with three returning starters. Point guard Ayanna Thompson (5 ppg, 2.5 apg) is the lone returning senior starter and she will be joined by junior forward Taylor Samuels (5 ppg, 3.5 rpg) and junior guard Chrishyanah Alston (11 ppg, 3 rpg).

"This team will be a work in progress as newcomers and veterans mesh to form a solid unit," Thompson said. "If they can establish their camaraderie, leadership and identity by February, they will be competitive in the state tournament."

View last season's Delaware girls basketball rankings, presented by the Army National Guard



2. Caravel (Bear)
Head Coach: Kristin Caldwell
2013-14 finish: 18-5, state semifinals

Caravel Academy's roster is guard-dominant, featuring four seniors who lost in the state title game as sophomores and all five starters who helped the Buccaneers reach the semifinals last season. Those starters include guards Micah Morgan (15 ppg), Ky'asia Stanford (12.5 ppg, 5 apg), Caroline Davis (12 ppg, 8.5 rpg) and Shannon Tobin (5 ppg). Sophomore forward Grace Lange averaged five points and seven rebounds per game.

"The girls are hungry and driven to earn a trip back to the Bob Carpenter Center for a chance at Caravel's first-ever girls basketball state championship," Caldwell said. "Our schedule is the most difficult in Caravel history and should prepare us well for a tournament run in March."

View last season's Delaware girls basketball playoff brackets

3. Ursuline Academy (Wilmington)
Head Coach: John Noonan
2013-14 finish: 18-5, state semifinals

Ursuline Academy returns four starters from last year's semifinal team including two-time state Player of the Year, senior point guard Adrianna Hahn (19.5 ppg, 5 rpg, 6 apg). Juniors Alyssa Irons (6.5 ppg) and Kailyn Kampert (5.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg), along with sophomore Kryshell Gordy are the other returning starters. Freshman Maggie Connolly, who saw major minutes as an eighth-grader last year, rounds out the starting five. Returning seniors Courtney Wallace, Lindsay Russell, Dakota Raymond, and Madeline Hughes add experience and depth to the Raiders.



"We are excited to prepare and compete against a tremendous schedule," Noonan said.

View last season's Delaware girls basketball stat leaders

4. St. Elizabeth (Wilmington)
Head Coach: Dan Cooney
2013-14 finish: 18-6, state championship game

Returning starters are senior forward Alexandra Thomas (12 ppg, 7 rpg), senior guard Jordyn Humes (6 ppg) and sophomore forward Alanna Speaks (8 ppg, 6 rpg).

"With our strong senior leadership and dedicated young talent, the Lady Vikings will be in contention for another state championship," Cooney said.

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5. Sussex Central (Georgetown)
Head Coach: Ron Dukes
2013-14 finish: 15-6, state tournament second round

The Golden Knights welcome back their entire starting lineup of returning players that includes senior guards Jasmine Hudson (18 ppg, 6 spg, 5 apg) and Taylor Pritchett, (16 ppg, 4 spg, 6 rpg), senior forward Jada Smack (6 ppg, 7 rpg), and junior forwards Emily Truitt (7 ppg, 7 rpg) and Lamesha Walker (6 ppg, 8 rpg).

"Our team focus is on our defense and rebounding," Dukes said. "We have strengthened our schedule over the past few years and this year it includes playing in the Diamond State Classic, which is one of the elite girls tournaments on the East Coast. Our team focus will be to win our conference and return to the University of Delaware to play for the state title."

Jon Buzby broadcasts High School Basketball on Fox Sports 1290AM Wilmington.