MaxPreps 2016-17 New Hampshire preseason high school girls basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

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1. Bishop Guertin (Nashua)
Head coach: Kevin Gibbs
2015-16 record: 16-1

The Cardinals are the team to beat in New Hampshire after going 16-1 and winning the NHIAA Division I championship last season. Head coach Kevin Gibbs is back and so is his star in Meghan Cramb. Cramb, the reigning New Hampshire Girls Basketball Player of the Year, is a senior now with pressure to lead the Cardinals back to hoist the trophy. Helping Cramb will be junior forward Caroline Hoffer.

See the MaxPreps New Hampshire girls basketball computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard



2. New Hampton School
Head coach: Brett Benzio
2015-16 record: 21-7

The New Hampton School was plagued by injuries last season, but this year will return the best athlete in the state in Rebecca Ripley. A University of Miami commit, Ripley averaged 15.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.3 blocks per game last season. The Huskies were stopped short of a championship in the New England Prep School Athletic Council Class A Tournament semifinals last year.

See the MaxPreps New Hampshire girls basketball stat leaders

3. Sunapee
Head coach: Tim LaTorra
2015-16 record: 21-0 The Lakers of Sunapee were the No. 1 girls squad in the state last season and proved why by winning the NHIAA Division IV championship in March. Sunapee lost a good amount of scoring and rebounding after losing a handful of seniors, but the Lakers will return some of their key contributors. In order for the Lakers to make another deep playoff run, it will be up to guard Faith Larpenter and forward Katie Frederick. This tandem wreaked havoc in the NHIAA tournament last season.

See the MaxPreps New Hampshire girls basketball photos

4. Londonderry
Head coach: Nick Theos
2015-16 record: 14-3



After winning two consecutive rings, the Lancers were stopped short of a three-peat. Head coach Nick Theos has incentive after losing a heart-breaker to the eventual runner-up in Division I last season. All-State honorable mention Kelsey Coffey will return to the Lancers, as will Ashley Evans. Londonderry has rich basketball history, most significantly in recent years, and this year the Lancers should have every opportunity to continue the tradition.

See the MaxPreps New Hampshire girls basketball playoff brackets

5. Portsmouth
Head coach: Tim Hopley
2015-16 record: 16-1

Speaking of history, the Clippers girls basketball team has been led by the winningest high school basketball coach in New Hampshire history in Dan Parr. However, Parr has retired after his 54th season, and taking over the reigns will be new head coach Tim Hopley. Hopley will be happy to see he has one of the better athletes in the state in Libby Underwood. The versatile left-handed senior recently accepted a scholarship to play for William & Mary in North Carolina. Underwood will have options on the court this season in Heather Durand and Abbe Laurence.