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

1. Ursuline Academy (Wilmington)
Head coach: John Noonan
2014-15 record: 23-1, state champions

The Raiders return four starters from last year's championship team. Seniors Alyssa Irons (7.9 points per game) and Kailyn Kampert (7.7 ppg) return along with junior Kryshell Gordy (4.5 ppg) and sophomore Maggie Connolly (5.2 ppg). Freshman Alisha Lewis, who averaged 6.2 points per game as an eighth-grader, will start this season.

"With the return of four starters from last year's state championship team along with the addition of a dynamic freshman class we are excited to begin the 2015-16 campaign." – Head coach John Noonan

See last season's Delaware girls basketball computer rankings



2. Sanford (Hockessin)
Head coach: Marcus Thompson
2014-15 finish: 18-4, state tournament second round

First-team all-state selection senior Chrishyanah Alston (14 ppg), freshman Lauren Park-Lane (10 ppg) and senior Taylor Samuels (7 ppg) lead an experienced group of returning starters. Others expected to see significant playing time include seniors Taylor Sparks-Faulkner and Mesha Mosely, and sophomore Lexi Fotakos.

"This team will play a very rough schedule which will test them both mentally and physically. With a large number of freshman and seniors, if the team jells and gains the experience necessary to play multiple styles of play, they can potentially be competitive in the state tournament." – Head coach Marcus Thompson

See last season's Delaware girls basketball playoff brackets

3. Concord (Wilmington)
Head coach: John Armstrong
2014-15 finish: 15-7, state tournament third round

Seniors Holly Panchak (10 ppg, 7 rebounds per game) and Wynter McLaughlin (9 ppg, 7 rpg) lead an experienced Raiders squad that also includes junior Caroline Procak (5 ppg, 4 rpg) and sophomore Aahliyah Selby (8 ppg, 2 assists per game).

Sophomore Zhan'e Snow and transfer Jamiyah Dennis should see significant playing time.



"With our crop of returning players and the addition of a couple transfers and some talented freshmen, we should be able to compete at a high level. We have a combination of talent and quickness." – Head coach John Armstrong

See last season's Delaware girls basketball stat leaders

4. St. Elizabeth (Wilmington)
Head coach: Dan Cooney
2014-15 finish: 16-7, state tournament semifinals

Returning starters include junior forward Alanna Speaks (11 ppg, 10 rpg), junior point guard Alexis Bromwell (6 ppg, 6 apg, 3 rpg) and junior forward Sarah Metz (5 ppg, 5 rpg). Other key players include junior center Kailee Gautier, sophomore center Alexis Lee and sophomore guard Ya-kyra Smith-Hines.

"We will be a very young and inexperienced group this year. Our strong points this year will be speed and we are a very athletic group. I'm hoping that pressure defense will lead to easy baskets." – Head coach Dan Cooney

See Delaware girls basketball pro photo galleries



5. Padua Academy (Wilmington)
Head coach: Emily Grugan
2014-15 finish: 14-8, state tournament third round

Seniors MacKenzie Scully, Gabrielle Julian and Megan Mallon return for one last opportunity in their high school careers to lead the Pandas to a state title.

Jon Buzby is the play-by-play announcer for high school basketball on Fox Sports 1290AM Wilmington.