Middleton leads the way, but also watch out for Appleton North, Marshfield, Divine Savior Holy Angels and Verona in the Wisconsin girls basketball #MaxPrepsFab5.
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See a North Carolina teen put on an amazing long-distance shooting display.2016-17 Wisconsin preseason girls basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Middleton2015-16 record: 21-4
Head coach: Jeff Kind
The Cardinals are coming off a strong season in which they knocked off eventual Division 1 state champion Verona early on. Middleton had just two seniors on last year's squad that had its season end at sectionals and returns its top nine scorers. Good things are in store.
Alexis Thomas was the team's leading scorer at 14.5 points per game and was second-team All-Conference. Triplets
Bria Lemirande (13 points),
Alyssa Lemirande (11.6) and
Carlee Lemirande (9.3) are a force for the Cardinals. Junior forward
Halle White put in 9.9 points per game last season.
See the MaxPreps Wisconsin girls basketball computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard
2. Appleton North2015-16 record: 22-5
Head coach: Joe Russom
The Lightning made just their third appearance all-time at state last season and first in 15 years. With four starters back from that team, a repeat trip to Green Bay for state is a good possibility. Appleton North won 16 of its final 18 games last season and went into state playing its best ball. Juniors
Sydney Levy (10.8 points) and
Kari Brekke (10.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists) were the leading scorers a season ago in a balanced scoring attack where seven players averaged 5.4 points or more. Senior
Callie Pohlmann (9.1 points, 4.4 rebounds) adds some depth to the team.
See the MaxPreps Wisconsin girls basketball stat leaders3. Marshfield2015-16 record: 23-3
Head coach: Heidi Michaelis
The Tigers were just one win from the state tournament last year, falling by two points to Appleton North in a sectional final. The team returns six of its top seven scorers, led by senior forward
Ema Fehrenbach (16.1 points per game). Juniors
Hannah Meverden and
Meg Bryan each chipped in 8.2 points.
Maddie Nikolai (7.9),
Jenna Jakobi (4.7) and
Corianne Johnson (4.7) also are coming off strong seasons and should see their playing time increase in 2016-17.
See the MaxPreps Wisconsin girls basketball photos4. Divine Savior Holy Angels (Milwaukee)2015-16 record: 20-6
Head coach: Jeff Worzella
The Dashers were also just one victory short of getting back to the state tournament last season. The 2014-15 state champions fell to state runner-up Oak Creek in a sectional final. DSHA lost its top two scorers, but has back five of its top eight scorers. Seniors
Ovi Young (9.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists) and
Rachel Heinrich (7.3 points, 3.2 rebounds) will be the team's main offensive threats. Sophomore
Olivia Sniatynski (5.4 points, 2.8 rebounds) and senior
Emily Ogorek (2.3 points) earned plenty of playing time last year.
See the MaxPreps Wisconsin girls basketball playoff brackets5. Verona2015-16 record: 25-3, Division 1 state champion
Head coach: Angie Murphy
It was a dream season for the Wildcats in 2015-16. The program captured its first state title in four appearances. Verona lost four starters and returns just
Alex Luehring from the lineup. Luehring was second on the team in scoring (13.7 points) and tied for first in rebounds (7). Fifth-leading scorer
Alley Johnson (6 points) is back, along with top reserves
Grace Schraufnagel (3.6 points) and
Chandler Bainbridge (3.5 points).
