Eastview leads the way, but also watch out for Park Center, St. Michael-Albertville, Hopkins and Edina in the Minnesota girls basketball #MaxPrepsFab5.
Video: Park Center girls basketball highlights vs. Osseo High School
See one of Minnesota's best in action last season.2016-17 Minnesota preseason girls basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Eastview (Apple Valley)2015-16 record: 26-5, Class 4A third-place finisher
Head coach: Molly Kasper
The Lightning got tripped up in the Class 4A state semifinals last season by runner-up Hopkins. With what Eastview has coming back this season, anything short of a chance to play for a state title might be a disappointment. Four starters are back, including its top three scorers. Senior guard
Rachel Ranke (16.7 points per game, 5.7 rebounds, 2.2 steals) leads the way. Another senior guard,
Allie Pickrain, had 13.5 points and 3 assists last season.
Megan Walstad, a junior forward, was the final girl in double digits in points at 11.5 and 6.7 rebounds.
See the Minnesota girls basketball computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard
2. Park Center (Brooklyn Park)2015-16 record: 22-8
Head coach: Chris VanderHyde
A young Pirates team advanced to the state quarterfinals last before its season came to a close. No worries, this year should be even better since last year there weren't any seniors on the team. The Pirates are senior-dominated this season, led by last year's leader
Ann Simonet (12.2 points, 4.2 rebounds). Fellow senior
Mikayla Hayes is a double-digit machine with 11.9 points and 10.7 rebounds to go with 3.8 blocks per contest.
Danielle Schaub added 10.7 points and 3.5 assists a season ago.
Sommer Blakemore came through with 7.7 points, followed
Feyisayo Ayobamidele (6.4 points, 3.5 rebounds) and
Meghan DuBois (5.6 points).
See the MaxPreps Minnesota girls basketball stat leaders3. St. Michael-Albertville (Albertville)2015-16 record: 27-3
Head coach: Kent Hamre
The Knights have made back-to-back trips to the state tournament, last year losing in the quarterfinals. The team has three starters returning, but will have to replace two of its top three scorers. Senior guard Rae Johnson poured in 18.2 points to lead the way, and she also added four rebounds and three assists per game. Starters Lizzy Heil (9.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 3.9 steals) and Addie Johnson (three points, four rebounds) will have to pick up the slack for two starters gone who combined to score 29 points per game.
See the MaxPreps Minnesota girls basketball photos4. Hopkins (Minnetonka)2015-16 record: 29-3, Class 4A state runner-up
Head coach: Brian Cosgriff
The 2014-15 state champions came up just one victory short last season of repeating. The Royals were stacked with talent, led by Michigan State signee Nia Hollie. Three starters are gone, including Hollie, but the Royals have a solid base to build from. Non-starter
Paige Bueckers is the team's leading scorer back, averaging 9.5 points and three rebounds as an eighth-grader. Starters senior
Dee-Dee Winston (5.3 points), junior
Angie Hammond (4.9 points, 6.7 rebounds) also return.
See the MaxPreps Minnesota girls basketball playoff brackets
5. Edina2015-16 record: 15-13
Head coach: Matt Nilsen
Despite registering double-digit losses last season, the Hornets come into 2016-17 as one of the up-and-coming teams in the state. The team's top three scorers are back along with two top reserves. Seniors
Annika Jank (14.2 points) and
Bailey Helgren (9.5 points) are the main offensive threats.
Olivia Coughlin scored 8.1 points per game as a sophomore.
