MaxPreps 2013-14 Massachusetts preseason girls basketball Fab 5

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

1. Central Catholic (Lawrence)
2012-13 record: 22-5 (Division 1 state champions)
Head coach: Sue Downer

Courtney Walsh and Amanda Williams, a big part of the trio that helped spur along the Raiders to a Division 1 state title last season, will return. But there will be a glaring hole without Casey McLaughlin and her ability to slice through defenses.

2. Braintree
2012-13 record: 24-3 (Division 1 South champions)
Head coach: Kristen McDonnell

Sisters Bridget Herlihy and Brianna Herlihy, who stand 6-0 and 5-11, will be the core of the Wamps’ front court, while Bay State all-stars Molly Reagan and Ashley Russell return to help exact revenge after a disappointing finish in the state semifinals.

3. Medfield
2012-13 record: 26-2 (Division 2 state champions)
Head coach: Mark Nickerson

The reigning Division 2 state champions have a great group of players coming back, including forwards Kristin Fechtelkotter, Lauren Petit, and Payton Ouimette, each of whom was named a Tri-Valley League all-star last season. Petit, a senior this year, averaged 13.1 point per game for the Warriors.

4. Archbishop Williams (Braintree)
2012-13 record: 24-5 (Division 3 state champions)
Head coach: Jim Bancroft

Alana Gilmer is a special player for the Archies. She returns as a junior this season with a good core of last season’s Division 3 state champions, including senior Olivia Conrad, Leah Spencer (committed to UMass-Lowell), and junior center Jaylen Williams. Spencer, Conrad, and Williams were all Catholic Central all-stars last year, making this one of the most talented teams in the state.

5. Pentucket Regional (West Newbury)
2012-13 record: 24-2 (Division 3 semifinals)
Head coach: John McNamara

One of the top programs in the state, Kelsey McNamara, daughter of coach John McNamara, returns for her junior season to help the Sachems get back to the state final after a disappointing loss to Archbishop Williams in last year’s semifinals. McNamara will be joined on the court by fellow guard and junior McKenna Kilian and senior Sydney Snow.