MaxPreps 2013-14 Maine preseason girls basketball Fab 5

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

1. McAuley (Portland)
2012-13 finish: 23-0 (Class A state champions)
Head coach: Bill Goodman

Winners of three straight Class A state titles, the Lions return all but two players from last season’s undefeated squad. Returning will be Olivia Smith, who scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for McAuley in the state title game, and Victoria Lux, who had 11 points and 19 rebounds in the title game. This will be a deep team that will be looking to protect its 48-game winning streak.

2. Deering (Portland)
2012-13 finish: 17-4
Head coach: Mike Murphy

The Rams will have to do without standout players Marissa MacMillan and Chelsea Saucier, lost to graduation. Instead they’ll have a nucleus of younger players that have multiple years in the program, including Delaney Coyne and Leann Downs.

3. Bangor
2012-13 finish: 17-5 (Class A state runner-up)
Head coach: Katie Clark Herbine



Cordelia Stewart, the Rams’ 6-2 post star who scored 17 points in the Class A state title game (a loss to McAuley), will miss the majority of the season while recovering from knee surgery. Bangor will likely rely on Mary Butler, the team’s other 6-foot post player, in the interim.
 
4. Cheverus (Portland)
2012-13 finish: 18-3 (Class A state semifinals)
Head coach: Richie Ashley

Sharpshooter Victoria Nappi returns for the Stags to lead a team that was derailed by McAuley in the Class A state semifinals. Cheverus is always one of the better programs in the state, and re-tooling should be no problem for seven-year coach Richie Ashley.

5. Presque Isle
2012-13 finish: 23-0 (Class B state champions)
Head coach: Jeff Hudson

The Wildcats will no longer be able to rely on Chandler Guerrette, last season’s leading scorer for the Class B state champions. However, they’ll have Megan Ireland back. She scored 12 points in the state championship game and will help Presque Isle attempt its third straight championship.