MaxPreps 2014-15 Texas preseason girls basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Manvel
2013-14 record: 38-2
Coach: Bryan Harris

Even with the graduation of Gatorade Player of the Year Brianna Turner and five of her teammates, the 2013-14 UIL Class 5A state champions appear capable of another deep run. Turner has moved on to Notre Dame, but with 6-2 forward Jordan Hosey, a University of Texas pledge, the Lady Mavericks have another proven player of star quality. The four-year varsity veteran knows how to fill up a stat sheet. Last season Hosey averaged 14.2 points, seven rebounds, 2.5 assists. 2.2 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. She also drew a team-leading 19 charges. Ameiya Jackson, a 5-7 guard, is the other returning starter for coach Bryan Harris, who has a 71-6 record in his two seasons at the school. Expect Harris to use more full-court pressure with a smaller lineup this season. Senior Ariana Sanders and juniors Imani Wiley and Lauren Taylor saw regular playing time a year ago when Manvel ended Duncanville's 105-game winning streak in the state championship game, 58-53.

View last season's Texas girls basketball rankings, presented by the Army National Guard

2. Plano West
2013-14 record: 27-6
Coach: Kristen Perry



With six of their top seven scorers returning from a team that made it to the Class 5A state final four, the Lady Wolves have every right to approach this season with high expectations. Natalie Chou, a 6-1 wing, led West in scoring last year as a sophomore with a 17.9 average. She was selected to play for the USA women's U17 team over the summer. Harvard commit Sydney Skinner, a 5-7 senior point guard, led the team in assists and averaged 8.7 points. Juniors Morgann Yancey and Callie Owens, the newcomer of the year in the district, steady the backcourt. Daria Cosgrove, a freshman call-up last season, heads a list of newcomers that includes Justine Montgomey, Erin Walker and shot-blocking Vuye Magalela. Kristen Perry, promoted from assistant to head coach prior to the 2013-14 season, hopes to build on the program's long run of success.

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3. Duncanville
2013-14 record: 35-1
Coach: Cathy Self-Morgan

Sadly, the Pantherettes' 105-game winning streak is over. Gone are four senior starters that helped the Pantherettes come so close to a third straight Class 5A state title. Manvel rallied in the final minutes of the title game to spoil Duncanville‘s bid for a second straight perfect season, 58-53. But don't feel too sorry for head coach Cathy Self-Morgan. The Pantherettes don't rebuild, they reload. Returning starter Ciera Johnson, a 6-4 junior center, averaged seven points and five rebounds last season. Juniors Madison Townley, a 5-11 forward, Korie Leary, 6-foot post, and Rosie Davis, a 5-8 guard, saw varsity playing time along with 5-6 sophomore guard Tae Davis. Transfer Jasmin Taylor is due to become eligible in January. The grueling District 8-6A competition should have the Pantherettes ready by playoff time.

View last season's Texas girls basketball stat leaders

4. Wagner (San Antonio)
2013-14 record: 25-11
Coach: Christina Camacho



The Lady Thunderbirds graduated only three players from a squad that made it to the state tournament for the third time in seven years. Heading the list of returnees for coach Tina Camacho is last season's leading scorer, Amber Ramirez. The 5-8 junior guard, an Oklahoma State pledge, scored at a 15.2 point clip per game. Kiana Williams cracked the starting lineup as a 5-7 freshman forward last season and averaged 9.7 points. Desierre Johnson, a 5-6 senior guard, came off the bench last season to give Wagner a lift. Not a lot of height returns for Camacho, in her 10th season at Wagner and her 28th in coaching, so it will be important that the Lady Thunderbirds shoot and execute well.

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5. Canyon
2013-14 record: 34-4
Coach: Joe Lombard

Legendary Lady Eagles coach Joe Lombard's 1,160 career victories (compared to only 113 losses) make Canyon a threat to win a state title every season. In March, Lombard's team nailed down the school's 16th state title, winning the Class 4A title game with a 49-42 victory over McKinney North (McKinney). Canyon will play in Class 5A this season. Two starters return for Lombard, guards Caitlyn Cunyus and Angel Hayden. For a chance to reach the state tournament for the 25th time, Canyon will need to find replacements for interior players lost to graduation. Brianne Mcdowell and Katy Beth-Stafford have varsity experience and could fill the inside roles. Lombard's time-tested system is the real star.