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

1. Incarnate Word Academy (St. Louis)
Head coach: Dan Rolfes
2014-15 record: 29-2, three-time defending Class 4 state champion

Rolfes may have lost Napheesa Collier and her 27 points per game to the University of Connecticut following last year's third-straight state championship run. But he returns everybody else from a team that lost two of its first three games to non-Missouri opponents before winning 28 straight to close out the year. The Red Knights, who finished 47th in MaxPreps Computer Rankings presented by the Army National Guard a year ago, will be led by returning all-state guard Abbey Hoff.

See last season's Missouri girls basketball computer rankings

2. Rock Bridge (Columbia)
Head coach: Jill Nagel
2014-15 record: 24-7, four-time defending Class 5 champion



Almost two-thirds of Rock Bridge's scoring walked off the court with the graduation exits of all-district players Sophie Cunningham, Cierra Porter and Carly Offerdahl. But Nagel, who has guided the Bruins to four straight titles, does return all-district performer Madison Treece as well as Bri Ellis, Payton McCallister, Katey Klucking and Avery Schroeder.

See MaxPreps Missouri girls basketball pro photos

3. Liberty
Head coach: Noah Simpson
2014-15 record: 27-4, defending Class 5 runner-up

After falling short in Missouri's big school state championship game a year ago, the Bluejays are in prime position to reach new heights in 2015-16. Simpson returns 10 of his top 13 players from a year ago and four of his five starters. Three-time all-conference and all-district performer Morgan Fleming averaged 15.6 points a game last season and has already scored 1,000 points in her career.

See last season's Missouri girls basketball playoff brackets

4. Parkway North (St. Louis)
Head coach: Brett Katz
2014-15 finish: 25-6, defending Class 5 consolation champion



After nearly playing its way into the Show-Me State's big school state championship game a year ago, several St. Louis-area coaches are sitting up and taking notice of Parkway North. We have taken notice here at MaxPreps as well. The Vikings return double-digit scorers Alecia Sutton (16.1) and Amaya Stovall (10.0).

See last season's Missouri girls basketball stat leaders

5. Crane
Head coach: Jeremy Mullins
2014-15 finish: 30-2, three-time defending Class 2 champion

Wins over Jefferson City, Kickapoo and White Station (Tenn.) a year ago leave little doubt that Crane is one of the better teams in the Show-Me State regardless of classification. We believe they will be one of the top five squads in the state of Missouri in 2015-16 as well. Emma Lander has already scored 1,000 points in her career. Madison Fulp and Justeen Mahan will return as well.