MaxPreps 2014-15 Alabama preseason girls basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Sparkman (Harvest)
2013-14 record: 33-3, 6A runner-up
Coach: Patrick Delay

The Senators lost to Shades Valley in the 6A championship game after spending much of the year in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 national rankings. It was the first loss to an Alabama opponent all season for Delay's squad. The departure of all-state performer Alexis Jennings to Kentucky will sting, but the six seniors on this year's team — including returning starters Wynter Sales and Chelsea Robinson — will be ready to pick up the slack.

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

2. Shades Valley (Birmingham)
2013-14 record: 31-4, 6A champion
Coach: Tonya Hunter

The Mounties finally reached the pinnacle last season, winning the school's first state title in any girls sport by upsetting Sparkman in the championship game. Last year's team was senior-heavy, and Hunter will need to replace spark-plug Morgan William who is now at Mississippi State. But the return of four rising seniors and a strong junior class will make Shades Valley a contender once again.

View last season's Alabama girls basketball playoff brackets

3. Hazel Green
2013-14 record: 27-7
Coach: Tim Miller

The Trojans lost in the sub-regionals last year in Miller's first season at the helm, but don't expect the same this year for a squad that returns two of the state's top post players: 6-2 forwards Rayven Pearson and Chloe Long, who have both committed to Jacksonville State. Pearson earned all-state honors last season after averaging 14.3 points, 10.1 rebounds and three blocks per game. Long added 9.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and two assists. With the two stellar posts and four-time Alabama state champ Miller calling the shots, the Trojans could be the team to beat in 2014-15.

View last season's Alabama girls basketball stat leaders

4. Blount (Eight Mile)
2013-14 record: 31-4, lost to Sparkman in 6A semifinals
Coach: Jarvis Wilson

The Leopards took Sparkman to the brink in a semifinal loss last season, highlighted by Wilson's terrific defensive scheme against Kentucky signee Alexis Jennings. Blount loses all-state center Tyler Phelion, but returns Cierra Johnson, an electric 5-11 guard who is one of the top juniors in the state. Johnson scored 21 points in the loss to Sparkman, and this season the Leopards will go as far as she can take them.

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5. Huntsville
2013-14 record: 24-9, lost to 6A champ Shades Valley in regional finals
Coach: Krystle Johnson

The Panthers gave Shades Valley everything it had in a 45-42 loss in the quarterfinals last season, which will only give Johnson confidence heading into this year. The return of 5-11 all-state guard/forward Shaquera Wade makes the season that much more promising. Wade committed to Alabama last spring after averaging 12 points, five rebounds and three assists while recording 125 steals as a junior.