MaxPreps 2014-15 Nebraska Girls Basketball Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard

1. Fremont
2013-14 finish: 22-4, lost in Class A state quarterfinals
Head coach: Tony Weinandt

With the return of Jessica Shepard, Weinandt's squad is going to be one tough out. A top-five pick according to several recruiting analysts, Sheppard is considered to be the top forward nationally in the Class of 2015. The two-time Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year, who is set to continue playing in college at the University of Nebraska, averaged 30 points and almost 15 rebounds a contest a year ago. Gessica Gdowski and Rylie Cascio Jensen return after starting in 2013-14 as well. Weinandt returns five other letter winners.

View last season's Nebraska girls basketball rankings, presented by the Army National Guard

2. Pius X (Lincoln)
2013-14 finish: 21-3, Class B state runner-up
Head coach: Bill Rice

Rice returns first team Super-State selection Maddie Simon (19.8 ppg) and second team All-city selectee Kennedy Sander (13.4 ppg) from a team that won 21 of 24 contests a year ago. Also back are Briahtia Sebek, MacKenzie Helman and Becky Brokaw, who combined for 13.6 points a game.

View last season's Nebraska girls basketball playoff brackets

3. Pierce
2013-14 finish: 23-4, two-time defending Class C1 state champion
Head coach: Darren Sindelar

University of Wyoming commit Rachelle Tucker and plenty of other talent returns to help Pierce head coach Darren Sindelar make a run at a third straight Class C1 state basketball championship. The Bluejays return everyone except Jacy Bretschneider, who averaged 10.6 points a game last year as a senior. Tucker poured in 19 points and 8.3 rebounds per contest a year ago.

View last season's Nebraska girls basketball stat leaders

4. Kearney Catholic
2013-14 finish: 26-2, Class C1 state consolation champion
Head coach: Rick Petri

Petri's bench will be a deep one in 2014-15, with the return of all five starters and another five lettermen. Balance is the key for the Stars. A year ago, all five starters averaged anywhere from 5.0 points a game to 10.6 points. Allie Prososki leads the way with her 10.6 points a game and earned first team all conference honors a year ago. Kylie Thiele and Maddie Squiers were also tabbed as first team all-conference selections.

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5. Crofton
2013-14 finish: 27-1, three-time defending Class C2 state champion
Head coach: Aaron Losing

Having qualified for the last four Class C2 state basketball finals, Crofton returns four starters and an additional six letter winners making Losing's squad a heavy favorite to win it's fourth straight crown. After averaging 16 points and 5.4 assists per game a year ago, University of South Dakota commit and returning first team All-State selection Allison Arens is back for her final go round for Losing. Quinne Wragge, Maria Wortmann and Kelsey Sanger all return to their starting spots as well.