Should be a Repeat for Andover High SchoolThe following are our 2010-2011 Massachusetts Girls Preseason Rankings.
1) Andover - Marist bound Natalie Gomes and Boston College bound Nicole Boudreau are two of the most talented guards in New England. Add junior Allie Fazio and sharpshooting youngster Devon Caveney to the mix and the Warriors will be very tough to beat this year.
2) Central Catholic – The Raiders return four starters from last years squad that lost to Andover in the division 1 North Sectionals. St. Rose bound Gabie Polce and Merrimack bound Melissa Miller will have to step up big for the Raiders this year if they are to beat their neighbor and rivals Andover High School. Look for 6’1" sophomore Casey McClaughlin to have a huge break-out year.
3) Newton South – Newton South has two stars with Villanova bound Kendall Burton and Brown University bound Sofie Bifkosky. Add crafty point guard Chloe Rothman to the mix and this team has a chance to win it all come tournament time.
4) New Bedford- Returning 4 starters from last years squad led by talented guard Alyssa Roach if they can stay healthy look for them to play deep into the tournament.
5) Wachusett Regional - Cheyenne Jennings is one of the top guards in Central Mass. Add to that talented 6’0" forward Katie Murray and this team has a chance is the favorite to make it out Central Mass come tourney time.
6) Newton North- The backcourt duo of Brianna Hunt and Djaidah Wynn can play with anyone in the state. Look for forwards Megan Gentile and Ella Schueurell to step up big for Coach DeSantis this season.
7) Holyoke- Holyoke is looking like the favorites this year in Western MA. Look for 6’1" junior post player Alison Littles to make a name for herself. Littles had some huge games last high school season. Senior guard Monique Heard is one of the best guards in Western MA.
8) Reading - On paper Reading High looks like the favorite in the Middlesex league. Reading’s big three of Carlene Kluge, Olivia Healey and Morgan O’Brien will be tough to beat.
9) Marshfield- Lead by 6’1" forward Nicole Beresford, Marshfield is a force to be reckoned with . Beresford is already a 1,000 point scorer and one of the best players in the state as she has shown us she has the ability to dominate games. 5’10" front court mate Erin Doherty is a star in the making. Doherty has made great improvements in her game. Look for these two to carry the load for Marshfield.
10) St.Mary’s – Returns all but one player from last year’s squad . Look for 6’2" center Tori Faieta to lead this team to a Catholic Central title.
11) Durfee – With four starters returning from last year’s team look for Durfee to contend for the Big Three title. Could very well be a top 5 team by the end of the year.
12) Acton-Boxboro- Lead by talented forward Liz Belanger, who is one of the top juniors in New England, to be the catalyst of this young Acton-Boxboro squad.
13) West Springfield – West Springfield is a team that could challenge for the top spot in Western MA. West Springfield is led by Junior guard Dana Theobald who is a terrific guard who has a natural ability to put the ball in the basket. Theobald averaged close to 19 points per game last season and 6 assist. Senior guard Emily Taylor will also be a huge contributor as well.
14) Danvers – Look for talented forwards Kellie MacDonald and Sarah Palazola to build on the success of last years season. Talented sophomore Kasey Sherry, who had some big games last season, will also be a critical component for Danvers.
15) Wellesley – Wellesley could be a sleeper this season in the Bay State League. They lost some key players to graduation from last years conference championship team , but they have a shinning star in Princeton University bound Blake Dietrick. Dietrick is a jack of all trades and has the ability to dominate ball games.
16) Bishop Feehan – Lead by emerging star Lexi Sells this team did some great things last season. Look for them to be a dangerous team this winter.
17) Brockton – Person for person, Brockton may be as talented as any team in the State. Dynamic guard Tianna Johnson will surely make a name for herself.
18) Cardinal Spellman – Lead by 6’3" defensive specialist Alexis Udoji look for Spellman to challenge for the Catholic Central title.
19) Somerville – Should be exciting to watch this young team who is lead by talented sophomore guard Indira Evora and senior Kelsey Garritty. Evora and company will be the team to beat in the Greater Boston League.
20) Woburn – Woburn had a great year last season. With some key players returning look for them to compete with Reading for a Middlesex League title.
