MaxPreps 2013-14 Tennessee preseason girls basketball Fab 5

By Mitch Stephens Nov 1, 2013, 12:00am

The city of Murfreesboro once again leads the state but this season Blackman, not defending national champion Riverdale, should take the top prize.

Graphic by Bryce Escobar
MaxPreps 2013-14 Tennessee Girls Basketball Preseason Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard

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

1. Blackman (Murfreesboro)
2012-13 finish: 26-5, Region 4 finalist
Coach: Chad Hibdon

Hibdon has led the Blaze to four straight 20-win seasons, but 2013-14 should be his best squad to date. Blackman returns his top five scorers, led by 5-5 sophomore point guard Crystal Dangerfield (14.5 points per game) and followed by 6-foot junior forward Alex Johnson (13.4), 6-3 sophomore Jazz Bond (8.6) and 5-10 wing Micah Norris (8.2). Dangerfield is a top 10 recruit from her class. On top of all this is the return of Jamasha Jackson, nicknamed Meme, a 5-10 junior and four-star recruit.

2. Riverdale (Murfreesboro)
2012-13 finish: 35-0, AAA state champions, MaxPreps mythical national champions
Coach: Cory Barrett



The Warriors have gone a combined 133-7 the last four years with three state crowns. They return two key starters, leading scorer and Tennessee-bound Alexa Middleton (15.9 points per game), a 5-foot-8 point guard Shelbie Davenport (13.3), a Clemson commit. Key contributors from last year Brandy Alley and Shanique Heard will likely be starters and Barrett will have three key transfers to pick between for the fifth spot.

3. Science Hill (Johnson City)
2012-13 finish: 35-4
Coach: Darrell Barnwell

Led by the return of 5-6 senior point guard Tiana Tarter, and 6-1 post Gabby Lyons, the Hilltoppers hope to finish what they couldn't quite last year, after losing in the state finals to Riverdale 78-69. Keisha Gregory, a 5-11 junior guard, should also be a big contributor.

4. Ensworth (Nashville)
2012-13 finish: 27-1, Division II, AA state title
Coach: Hubie Smith

The Tigers won their third state title last season with a 57-42 win over Brentwood Academy, the last one before that coming in 2009-10, Smith's second season. They've gone 144-31 since 2007. The team returns key players Carson Pittman, Ashley Slay and Kennesha Nichols.

5. Bradley Central (Cleveland)
2012-13 finish: 29-3, Division I AAA quarterfinalist
Coach: Jason Reuter



With 6-2 senior post Brooke Copeland returning, the Bears should continue their strong run through the state. They've won at least 25 games in four of the last seven seasons and with the Florida-commit in the middle, the sky is the limit.