Bedford North Lawrence is our pick as the top girls basketball team in Indiana. Also watch out for Columbus North, Roncalli, Mt. Vernon and Mater Dei.
Maura Muensterman and Mater Dei are looking to defend their 2A state title this season.
File photo by Warren Robison
MaxPreps 2013-14 Indiana Girls Basketball Preseason Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard
Click here to see the girls basketball preseason Fab 5 from every state1. Bedford North Lawrence (Bedford)2012-13 finish: 28-0, Class 4A state champion
Head coach: Kurt Godlevske
Bedford North Lawrence is the clear No. 1 in Indiana after going undefeated at 28-0 last season and winning the Class 4A state championship. The Stars finished at No. 10 in the Xcellent 25 rankings and return eight of 10 letterwinners from last year, including all-state underclass standout
Dominique Mcbryde (6-foot-2, Jr.). Also back are all-state underclass honorable mention picks
Jenna Allen (6-3, Jr.),
Brittani Rizzi (5-7, Sr.),
Sammy Dillman (5-6, Sr.) and
Alex Bailey (5-7, Jr.).
2. Columbus North2012-13 finish: 25-1
Head coach: Pat McKee
The Bulldogs won 25 in a row before falling to eventual state champion Bedford North Lawrence in the regionals. Leading scorer
Ali Patberg, a 5-10 forward who earned all-state underclass honors last year, returns after averaging 18 points per game as a sophomore. She's joined by fellow all-state underclass honoree
Tayler Goodall, who poured in 13.8 points per game. Columbus North returns all but one senior from last year's team.
3. Roncalli (Indianapolis)2012-13 finish: 24-4
Head coach: Stan Benge
Another team that lost to Bedford North Lawrence in the postseason, Roncalli reached the Class 4A state semifinals before falling. The Rebels look to challenge again this season thanks to the return of three players who earned postseason honors.
Lindsey Corsaro earned all-state underclass honors by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association while teammates
Kellie Kirkhoff and
Elizabeth Bowers earned honorable mention.
4. Mt. Vernon (Fortville)2012-13 finish: 23-4, Class 3A state champions
Head coach: Julie Shelton
The Class 3A state champion in 2013 and the runner-up in 2012, Mt. Vernon is looking for a third-straight appearance in the championship game. Underclass all-state players
Erica Moore and
Sydney Sheldon both return for Mt. Vernon. Shelton averaged 17.8 points per game as a freshman last year while Moore, a 6-1 senior, averaged 17.8 points and 7.5 rebounds. The Marauders lose just three players from last year's team.
5. Evansville Mater Dei2012-13 finish: 28-2, Class 2A state champions
Head coach: Steve Goans
The two-time state champions return 10 letterwinners and four starters from last year's 28-2 team, including all-state underclass players
Maura Muensterman and
Tori Schickel. Muensterman, a 5-11 guard, averaged 23.2 points and 6.8 rebounds last season while Schickel, a 6-2 junior center, averaged 19.4 points and 10.5 rebounds.
