Riverdale Baptist is our pick as the top girls basketball team in Maryland this season. Also watch out for Aberdeen, McDonogh, Roland Park Country and River Hill.
Chloe Jackson and Riverdale Baptist are nationally ranked this season.
Photo by James Conrad
MaxPreps 2013-14 Maryland Girls Basketball Preseason Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard
Click here to see the girls basketball preseason Fab 5 from every state1. 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. AberdeenHead 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.”