Miami Country Day and Dillard met last season in the Dick's Nationals final.
Photo by Steven Ryan
2015-16 Florida Preseason Girls Basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Miami Country DayHead coach: Ochiel Swaby
2014-15 record: 32-2
MCD finished the 2014-15 season at Madison Square Garden in New York City, avenging an earlier loss to Dillard to win the Dick's Nationals crown. The Miami powerhouse also captured Florida's Class 3A state title. Expectations will be sky high with the return of one of the nation's top backcourts in
Channise Lewis (5-8, Jr., G),
Kelsey Marshall (5-8, Jr., G) and
Maria Alvarez (5-5, Fr., G) – who contributed last year as an eighth-grader.
See last season's Florida girls basketball computer rankings2. Ribault (Jacksonville)Head coach: Shelia Pennick
2014-15 record: 27-4
Seven key contributors are back for the 4A semifinalists, including
Rennia Davis (6-0, Jr., G/F) and
DayNeshia Banks (6-0, Jr., F). That duo combined to produce over 34 points and 15 rebounds per game a year ago as sophomores.
Kayla Rogers (5-8, Sr.) returns to run the point after posting 9.5 points and 4.7 assists per game in 2014-15.
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3. Dillard (Fort Lauderdale)Head coach: Marcia Pinder
2014-15 record: 31-2
The reigning 5A state champs will miss Jamesha Paul (now at UCF) but bring back enough talent to be a contender once again.
Jacaira Allen (5-11, Sr., F) averaged over 15 points and 12 rebounds per game as a junior while
Destiny Frazier (5-7, Sr., G) returns to spearhead the backcourt.
See last season's Florida girls basketball playoff brackets4. Florida A&M (Tallahassee)Head coach: Ericka Cromartie
2014-15 record: 27-2
The Baby Rattlers rocked the field in the 2A state tournament a year ago, winning five games by an average margin 43.2 points. Expect A&M to remain untouchable in 2A once again with arguably the state's top senior in
Jazmine Jones (6-0, G) back in the lineup. The Louisville verbal commit averaged 18.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.1 steals per outing as a junior.
See last season's Florida girls basketball stat leaders5. University Christian (Jacksonville)Head coach: Keith Stroud
2014-15 record: 26-3
Speaking to the depth of quality girls teams in Florida, any one of a dozen or so programs could make a strong argument for this spot. But we like University Christian's chances given the presence of Top 50 national prospect
Jatavia Tapley, a 6-2 wing committed to USC.