They have been arguably the reigning queens of girls basketball in Massachusetts for the last four years but 2023-24 brings a whole new look and a lot of new competition for St. Mary’s in Division 3.

The Spartans graduated the talented troika of Yirsy Queliz, Kellyn Preira and Niya Morgan so it may be a down season for the Lynn program. Not so fast, says Jeff Newhall.

“Yes, we have a young team but we have some kids who have been in a lot of big games,” Newhall said.

Leading that group is freshman Bella Owumi, who has already started nearly 60 varsity games. Freshman Lily Norton steps in to assume the point guard duties while Jillian Roberts also is expected to have a bigger role.

The Spartans’ quest for another title is made tougher this season thanks to a realignment of divisions by the MIAA. That reshuffling has turned Division 3 into a deep and talented group.

Leading those trying to bounce the Spartans from their perch is reigning Division 2 champion Foxboro. The Warriors return four starters, led by senior guard Camryn Collins, from a team that lost only once a year ago.

Pentucket is a perennial contender and coach John McNamara’s team will certainly be in the mix come March led by guards Gabby Bellacqua and Ava DiBurro. Newburyport also drops down a division and has a talented core back led by seniors Olivia McDonald, Brela Pavao and junior Olivia Foley.

Norwell might have the division’s top player in junior guard Maddie Oliver while Dover-Sherborn’s quartet of Erica Hills, Drew Hussar, Avery O’Connell and Elliana Scalabrine are ready to lead the Raiders.

Norton brings back South Shore League Small MVP Emma Cochrane while Medway has a talented backcourt of Olivia Melanson and Ellie Copeland.

North Reading is led by senior guard Caitlin Reilly while Fontbonne seniors Lilly Blow and Tressa Murphy look to take the Ducks on a long postseason run.

Division 4-5

One of the state’s most talented groups is at Cathedral as the defending D4 champion Panthers will ride the back of talented guards Hijjah Allen-Paisley and Jasmine Day-Cox. Millis lost in the D5 final last season and returns an experienced group headed by Hailey Bassett and Izzy Jewett.

Georgetown reached the final eight in D5 and has a pair of super sophomores in Alyssa Zarkowski and Katie Davies. Cohasset returns 1,000 point scorer Sarah Chenette along with junior Abbie Goff.

Mashpee was hit hard by graduation but senior Hailey Garcia and newcomer Mia Fougere look to lead the way. Case has a new but familiar coach in Ellie Roberts as the Cardinals will be led by seniors Lily Picard and Brooke Perron.

Rockland drops down to Div. 4 as the Bulldogs have to break in several new starters who look to help senior Maggie Elie. Westport lost in the quarterfinals last season and gets back Sarah Perry from injury. Junior guard Korynne Holden also should be a big contributor.

Players to watch

C/F: Lilly Blow (Fontbonne), Eva Boudreau (Wilmington), Caroline Bragioli (Old Rochester), Alex Butters (Innovation Academy), Gaby Campbell (Hamilton-Wenham), Tamia Darling (Cathedral), Chanelle Del Rosario (Fenway), Bridget Devine (Blue Hills), Angel Efosa (Whittier), Michaela Enright (St. John Paul), Kaylee Farrell (Winthrop), Grace Fleuriel (Winthrop), Liberty Gazaille (Case), Niko Hamilton (Fenway), Hazel Hoog (Ipswich), Maddie Lawrence (Sandwich), Kendall Liebert (Triton), Amy Mariano (New Mission), Tressa Murphy (Fontbonne), Addie Ruter (Foxboro), Elliana Scalabrine (Dover-Sherborn), Sadie Tracey (Nashona Tech), Aliyah Volquez (Lynn Tech), Ella Williamson (Abington)

G: Hijjah Allen-Paisley (Cathedral), Chloe Azoff (Dennis-Yarmouth), Gabby Bellacqua (Pentucket), Engelyz Bingham (Lynn Tech), Reese Brodin (Winthrop), Hanelie Cadet (Avon), Lexi Carollo (Gloucester), Sarah Chenette (Cohasset), Emma Cochrane (Norton), Camryn Collins (Foxboro), Lily Connors (Falmouth Academy), Jasmine Cox (Cathedral), Devin Crofford (St. John Paul), Maddie Darlington (Innovation Academy), Bailey DeLeire (Mystic Valley), Peyton DiBiasio (Saugus), Lucy Donahue (Ipswich), Sabrina Doyle (Minuteman), Maggie Elie (Rockland), Abby Goff (Cohasset), Ashley Hart (Nashona Tech), Erica Hills (Dover-Sherborn), Alaina Hines (Upper Cape), Korynne Holden (Westport), Sophie Holmes (Falmouth Academy), Izzy Hougasian (Old Colony), Marlo Jumper (St. John Paul), Elizabeth Kinnane (Diman), Lily Lambo (Watertown), Lucy Latour (Dighton Rehoboth), Cecelia Levrault (Apponequet), Teagan Lind (Falmouth), Ellie Marden (Amesbury), Tyrah Marcelin (Georgetown), Olivia McDonald (Newburyport), Paige Meda (Bourne), Lily Oliver (Manchester-Essex), Maddie Oliver (Norwell), Bella Owumi (St. Mary’s), Erika Pasquale (Lynnfield), Keyona Raines (Cathedral), Emily Sandelli (Greater Lowell), Aubrie Schwayer (Sandwich), Lillian Shanahan (Cape Cod Academy), Bella Sulfaro (Blue Hills), Kailey Sullivan (Foxboro), Addison Taylor (Apponequet), Johnny Tompkins (Wareham), Erieliz Vazquez (Greater Lawrence), McKinley Wenzel (Bourne)