MaxPreps 2013-14 New Mexico preseason girls basketball Fab 5

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1. Clovis
2012-13 record: 30-2, won 5A state title
Head coach: Jeff Reed

Led by junior standout Danni Williams — last year’s New Mexico Gatorade Player of the Year — the Wildcats are poised to repeat as state champions. Williams, a 5-foot-9 combo guard, averaged 19.8 points and 4.7 steals per game last year. Reed said coaches from elite college programs like Baylor, Stanford and Tennessee all came and watched Williams play during the summer AAU circuit. Clovis also returns three other starters, including Brandi Gomez (5-11, Sr., G), Carrie Sharp (5-11, Sr., PF) and Shelby Jones (6-0, Jr., C). Reed expects big-time production from 5-9 junior guard Nichelle Hyman, who is one of the more athletic players on the squad.

2. Hobbs
2012-13 record: 24-7, lost in 5A state quarterfinals
Head coach: Johnny Casaus

The Eagles were the only team to beat last year’s state finalists — champion Clovis and runner-up Mayfield, defeating both teams twice — but couldn’t put things together in the state tournament. Hobbs hopes to take things farther this season, and it has the talent to do it with four returning starters, led by ultra-productive 5-9 post Danielle Patterson, who put up 14 points and 8.5 rebounds per game as a junior. The Eagles have a terrific three-guard starting unit in Jasmine Martinez, Tori Sanchez and Ariel Lopez to go along with 5-11 center Halle Woods.

3. Mayfield (Las Cruces)
2012-13 record: 28-3, lost in 5A state final
Head coach: George Maya

The Trojans have the goods to make a repeat run to the state final. In Daeshianna McCants, Mayfield has a player who can dominate a game in myriad ways: scoring, rebounding and defense. The 6-1 senior wing-post has the length to guard smaller players, the quickness to get around bigger ones and the versatility to score in the paint or from the perimeter. The Trojans return another outstanding player in senior post Allie Pierce, who provides an active presence on the boards and defensively.

4. La Cueva (Albuquerque)
2012-13 record: 24-5, lost in 5A state semifinals
Head coach: Robert Perea

The Bears return virtually their entire starting lineup from a squad that gave 5A champion Clovis its toughest game in the state tournament. The returning headliner is 5-10 junior Alexa Romano, a versatile guard-wing who averaged 13.3 points a year ago and often sparked the team with her hustle and tenacity. She’ll be joined by an excellent supporting cast in senior wing Mackenzie Nelson, senior wing Renee Robledo, senior post Hannah Hawash and 5-11 junior post Alyssa Yocky.

5. Eldorado (Albuquerque)
2012-13 record: 18-11, lost in 5A state quarterfinals
Head coach: Michael Huston

The Eagles will be on everyone’s radar after returning four starters from one of the best defensive teams in New Mexico. Eldorado has a slew of tough guards returning in seniors Sarah Martinez, Crissey Amberg, Gabby Pacheco and Kylie Coffman. In senior forwards Jessica DePoy and Abby Roney, the Eagles have a pair of frontcourt players who can dominate the key.