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

1. Clovis
2013-14 record: 29-1
Coach: Jeff Reed

The Wildcats are a team with a mission, having been upset in the Class 5A state semifinals last year. They return three starters, including superstar Danni Williams, a 5-10 senior guard who averaged 24 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 2.8 assists last year. The Texas A&M recruit is one of the best ever produced in New Mexico. She will get plenty of help from 6-0 senior post player Shelby Jones, who averaged nine points and 7.6 rebounds and has committed to Abilene Christian; and 5-8 senior guard Nichele Hyman, who averaged 7.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.2 steals. Good production also is expected from 5-11 senior Dee Briggins and 5-8 freshman Teya Morris.

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

2. La Cueva (Albuquerque)
2013-14 record: 20-9
Coach: Robert Perea



The Bears return all five starters from a Class 5A state quarterfinalist. Superstar Alexa Romano, a 5-9 senior guard, averaged 21.5 points, five rebounds and four assists and has chosen Stanford University from a host of Division I college offers. Six-foot senior Alyssa Yocky averaged 11.5 points and 10 rebounds, while 5-7 junior Mandy Perea averaged 10 points during a half season. Sarah Cogan, a 6-0 junior, also will make major contributions.

View last season's New Mexico girls basketball playoff brackets

3. Cibola (Albuquerque)
2013-14 record: 25-3
Coach: Lori Mabrey

The Cougars will contend for a state title with three returning starters and two very talented newcomers. Six-foot-3 center Kristin Dearth averaged 9.2 points and 8.9 rebounds for a Class 5A state semifinalist, while 5-11 sophomore Corbyn Cunningham averaged 10.2 points and 8.7 rebounds as a freshman. Dmitri Fong, a 5-9 junior, averaged six points and 3.1 rebounds. Transfer Kavionnia Brown, a 5-4 guard, started last year as a freshman for state champion Volcano Vista (Albuquerque) and 5-9 Amaya Brown is ranked as the No. 1 freshman in the state and already is getting Division I offers.

View last season's New Mexico girls basketball stat leaders

4. Mayfield (Las Cruces)
2013-14 record: 27-4
Coach: George Maya



Two starters are back from the Trojans' Class 5A state runner-up team and they again will employ a pressure defense, led by 5-5 senior guard Alicia Marcus. The most experience belongs to 5-4 junior point guard Laramie Tesillo, who averaged five points and 4.2 assists, and 5-6 senior shooting guard Scottie Bayles, who averaged 7.4 points. Other key players include 5-11 sophomore Jayce Gorzeman, 5-8 senior Danae Rosales and 5-11 junior Kendra Butler.

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5. Hobbs
2013-14 record: 23-7
Coach: Johnny Casaus

Though the Eagles have just one returning starter, they have excellent depth with 10 players who should see a lot of action. The lone veteran is 5-7 junior point guard Jasmine Martinez, who averaged 6.5 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists. Ariel Lopez, a 5-3 senior, averaged 3.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists. Others in the running for starting positions include 5-7 senior Sydney O'Brain, 5-7 senior Kaylyn Felicetti and 5-8 junior Ieyland Mason.