MaxPreps 2013-14 North Carolina preseason girls basketball Fab 5

By Mitch Stephens Nov 4, 2013, 12:00am

New Hope Christian is our pick as the top girls basketball team in North Carolina. Also watch for Southeast Raleigh, Broughton, Myers Park and Holly Springs.

Graphic by Bryce Escobar
MaxPreps 2013-14 North Carolina 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. New Hope Christian Academy (Thomasville)
2012-13 record: 26-2, NACA championship finalist
Head coach: Delaney Rudd

With the return of 6-foot-4 Virginia recruit Kristina King, the Phoenix should rise again to near the top of the North Carolina rankings. Last year's squad had six girls average between 7.2 and 9.3 per game, including returners King (8.9), Katherine Harris (7.8) and Kiana Rudd (7.2), who is only a sophomore.

2. Southeast Raleigh
2012-13 record: 30-1, 4A state semifinalist
Head coach: Nicole Sampson Meyers



The Bulldogs lost just four seniors off a team that lost in the 4A state semifinals to 11th-ranked nationally and eventually champion Millbrook. They return three starters including point guard Alexus Hicks and Amber Richardson.

3. Broughton (Raleigh)
2012-13 record: 24-5, 4A regional finalist
Head coach: Brad McCorkie

The Capitals return three of their top five scorers, including leading scorer Kaila Ealey, a junior point guard who averaged 12.4 points per game. Other leading scorers returning are senior Megan Sullivan (7.5) and second-leading scorer Nadine Ealey (10.7).

4. Myers Park (Charlotte)
2012-13 record: 29-1, 4A regional semifinalist
Head coach: Barbara Nelson

A perfect season was done in by Southeast Guilford on an imperfect night, losing in the regional semifinals 48-45. The Mustangs return their three top scorers: juniors Rydeiah Rogers (13.4 points per game) and Aliyah Mazyck (12.3) and senior Saadia Timpton (12.7). Rogers is ranked a four-star recruit.

5. Holly Springs
2012-13 record: 26-4, 4A regional semifinalist
Head coach: Richard Young



The Golden Hawks are led by one of the golden recruits of the state, in 5-11 senior guard Kiara Leslie, who is headed to Maryland. Leslie averaged 20.3 points and 11.9 rebounds per game. Other key returners are 5-8 wing Hadiya Howard and 6-1 post Madison Perry.