MaxPreps 2015-16 Montana preseason high school girls basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Capital (Helena)
2014-15 record: 20-2, Class AA state champions
Head coach: Bill Pilgeram

After capturing its first state title last season, Helena Capital has three starters back and will look for another run to a championship. The Lady Bruins will be strong in the post with Tjaden Pallister and Mary Bryggman. As a junior, Pallister was first-team all-state, averaging second on the team in both points (9.5) and rebounds (4.5). Bryggman, who is coming off ACL surgery, was the team's third-leading scorer, averaging 8.2 points and 4.8 rebounds. Savannah Bignell was fourth on the team in scoring (7.5 points) and is a defensive specialist (2.1 steals). The team will have to replace three-year starting point guard McKenzie Johnston (14 points, 5 assists). The Bruins will need a strong perimeter game if teams try and shut down their inside presence.

See last season's Montana girls basketball computer rankings

2. Bozeman
2014-15 record: 17-6, Class AA state runner-up
Head coach: Erika Gustavsen

The Hawks have three starters returning who helped lead the team last year to a runner-up finish at state. Boise State commit Emmie Toth is coming off a strong season with 13.5 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 assists per game and was named all-state. The other half of the twin towers inside is Caitlin Lonergan. The fellow senior averaged 12 points and 8 rebounds per game and shot 60 percent from the floor. Guard Bailey O'Leary had a solid all-around campaign with 8.8 points, 2 assists, 3 steals and 35 percent shooting from 3-point range. Returning varsity players Riana Rogers (5 points, 2.6 rebounds) and Amber Tarabochia (3 points, 3 rebounds) will play larger roles this season.



See last season's Montana girls basketball playoff brackets

3. Sentinel (Missoula)
2014-15 record: 19-5
Head coach: Karen Deden

Last year may have been a rebuilding season for Sentinel, but it still advanced to state. The program was coming off winning three straight state titles. The Spartans, who gave up only 39.4 points per game last season, have back three starters in junior Shannon Worster and sophomores Kylie Frohlich and Jordyn Schweyen. Worster was the team's leading scorer a season ago (13.4 points) and also added 2.3 assists and 2.9 steals per night. Frohlich had a great freshman campaign with 9.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.9 steals. Schweyen chipped in 7.5 points and 4.3 rebounds. The Spartans will have to replace point guard Lexi Steele and Haley Rogers.

See last season's Montana girls basketball stat leaders

4. Glacier (Kalispell)
2014-15 record: 20-5
Head coach: Kris Salonen

With senior point guard Hailee Bennett back, the Wolfpack are primed to have a good season. Bennett was an all-state selection in 2014-15, averaging 13.4 points, 3.8 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 2.1 steals and drained 40 3-pointers. Versatile guard/forward Taylor Salonen is the other returning starter. She was the team's fourth-leading scorer (6.1 points) and rebounder (3.9). Glacier will have to replace 20.3 points per game from its starters who graduated. Nikki Krueger, 6-foot, was the top scorer off the bench last season (4.4 points) and will get big minutes this year. The Wolfpack will have back junior guard Zoee Boschee, who missed most of last season with a torn ACL.



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5. Billings West
2014-15 record: 12-12
Head coach: Randy Chase

Don't let the record deceive you. The Golden Bears went on a postseason run and won their first-round game at state. The team graduated all-everything MorningRose Tobey, who is now playing for the University of Nevada. She averaged 16.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists. Senior Haley Elkin will be the team's No. 1 scorer after pouring in 12.8 points per game a season ago. She also pulled down 4.5 rebounds. Another senior, Kennedy Hildebrand, is strong on the inside, dominating with 9.7 rebounds and 1.9 blocks. Cody Rogers, a junior, is also back after getting 2.4 assists and 3.7 steals.