Girls teams to watch

DURHAM HILLSIDE

Asia Williams, a Wake Forest recruit, is among six players who have committed to Division I schools. Williams averaged 16.6 points and helped direct an attack that averaged an area-high 72.6 points per game. The Hornets return the bulk of the players from a 27-1 team. Erin Neal is headed to Longwood. Tamoria Holmes, Jerelle Gorham and Julee O'Neal are committed to Howard. Mattisha Mangum is undecided on which offer she will accept.

SOUTHEAST RALEIGH

The entire starting lineup from last season's 20-4 team is back, led by Wake Forest recruit Lakevia Boykin, who averaged 18 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists per game. Juniors Brittany Holloway and Taja Gardner-Rand and sophomores Demesha Peebles and Kiana Trice-Hill all averaged about six points per game.

WAKEFIELD

Kelsey Evans is the only returning starter from Wakefield's 30-1 season in 2007-08. The 6-foot-2 Evans averaged 12 points and 8 rebounds and is committed to Western Carolina. Former reserve Sarah Wollett averaged 4.0 points and 3.0 assists and signed with Wingate. Coach Danielle Blackburn has a 141-67 record in her eight years at the school.

ATHENS DRIVE

The Jaguars were undefeated in the Tri-Eight in 2007-08 and finished 23-6. Nine lettermen and three starters are back. Alyx Ingram, a Belmont Abbey recruit, averaged 7 points and 5 rebounds. 6-foot-4 Keisha Gatling added 12 points and 8 rebounds. Lainey Childrey and Rachel Collins each scored about eight points.

RAVENSCROFT

The Ravens return four starters from the 24-7 team in 2007-8. Lindsay Cowher, 6-foot-2, averaged 15.9 points and 8.1 rebounds and has committed to Wofford. Erin Bratcher averaged 14.4 points and Brittany Atwater and Kathryn Fogartie averaged about seven points each.

WAKE CHRISTIAN

Wake Christian won the 2007-08 N.C. Christian Schools Association state championship and finished 20-5. Suzanne Crone averaged 12 points and three rebounds. Also back are Emily Buffaloe (9 points) and Tayla Howard (4 points).

APEX

Apex coach Scott Campbell has a 20-year coaching record of 415-229, but he has only one starter back from last season's 21-9 season. Cassandra Mitchell averaged 8 points.

BROUGHTON

Four starters return from an 18-7 club. Brittany Morris averaged 14.8 points. Also back are Jolonda Mitchell, Sierra Solomon and Amber Nichols.

WATCH THESE GIRLS

LAKEVIA BOYKIN

SOUTHEAST RALEIGH * SENIOR

Wake Forest recruit averaged 18 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for a 20-4 team that returns all five starters.

KESHERIA MCNEIL, GARNER Speedy guard averaged 16.1 points on a 22-4 team.

MARNIKKA YOUNG, CLAYTON The 6-foot-1 junior scored 14 points per game in 2007-8 and also led the team in scoring as a freshman.

CHLOE STAPLETON, CARD. GIBBONS Junior averaged 10 points on a club that finished 23-8 and won the Mid-State 1-A/2-A tournament.

APRIL BURSEY, W. HARNETT The 5-foot-8 Bursey opened with a bang during her freshman year as she averaged 16 points per game.

BRITTANY MORRIS, BROUGHTON Helped the Caps to an 18-7 record by averaging 14.8 points.

HANNAH ROBERTS, LEESVILLE ROAD Averaged 13.4 points and 7 rebounds on a 13-11 team.

TIFFANY EVANS, RIVERSIDE 5-foot-10 guard averaged 12.1 points.

JESSICA JOHNSTON, SOUTHERN DURHAM 6-footer has committed to Charlotte.

BIANCA RICHBURG, ORANGE Senior averaged 13 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists on a 17-7 team.

CHLOE WELLS, APEX 5-foot-7 junior was the San Bernandino, Calif.-area player of the year as a freshman and sophomore and averaged 17.5 points, 5.7 assists and 4.8 steals last season.