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

By Dave Krider Oct 19, 2015, 12:00am

Heritage Christian is the top pick in the Hoosier State this season. But also watch out for Homestead, Lawrence North, Penn and Columbus North in the Indiana #MaxPrepsFab5.

Photos by MaxPreps photographers / Graphic by Ryan Escobar

2015-16 Indiana Preseason Girls Basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Heritage Christian (Indianapolis)
Head coach: Rick Risinger
2014-15 record: 28-2 (Class 2A state champion)

The two-time defending Class 2A state champions are moving up to Class 3A this year, but they have plenty of firepower with three starters and four Division I prospects. Senior point guard Tyasha Harris (5-foot-10), a Miss Basketball candidate, averaged 17.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 4.1 steals last year. Senior Darby Foresman (6-3), who has committed to Indiana University, averaged 8.4 points and 6.0 rebounds. Sophomore Katlyn Gilbert (5-10), who already has drawn interest from the likes of UConn, averaged 7.1 points and 4.0 rebounds as a freshman.

See last season's Indiana girls basketball computer rankings

2. Homestead (Fort Wayne)
Head coach: Rod Parker
2014-15 record: 26-3 (Class 4A state runner-up)



University of Florida recruit Karissa McLaughlin, a 5-8 junior guard, averaged 23.5 points last year while shooting 47 percent from 3-point range and 92 percent from the free throw line. Six-foot senior Lindley Kistler averaged 11.5 points and 6.5 rebounds, while the third returning starter, 5-6 senior point guard Savannah Buck, averaged 4.5 points and 4.0 assists. Junior Madisen Parker (5-9) came off the bench to average 11 points and 3.5 assists.

See MaxPreps Indiana girls basketball pro photos

3. Lawrence North (Indianapolis)
Head coach: Chris Giffin
2014-15 record: 27-2 (Class 4A state semifinalist)

The Wildcats return three starters to go with talented Richmond transfer Destiny Perkins, a 5-5 junior, who averaged 23.1 points last year. The veteran starters are 5-4 senior point guard Amber Morgan, who averaged 6.9 points and 4.7 assists; 5-2 senior guard Lauren Dickerson, a Miami of Ohio recruit who averaged 7.2 points and 3.7 assists after recovering from ACL surgery, and 6-1 senior Ae'Rianna Harris, a Purdue recruit who averaged 10.7 points and 9.2 rebounds.

See last season's Indiana girls basketball playoff brackets

4. Penn (Mishawaka)
Head coach: Kristi Ulrich
2014-15 record: 22-5



The veteran Kingsmen have three Division I returnees, led by 6-1 senior Camryn Buhr, who averaged 16.,2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.5 steals. Senior guards Kaitlyn Marenyi (5-9) and Claire Carlton (5-10) should raise their production from last year. Marenyi averaged 10.9 points and 2.9 assists, while Carlton averaged 8.3 points and 3.4 rebounds. Senior Kamra Solomon (5-6), a Division I soccer player, averaged 4.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.1 steals. Buhr will get help up front from 6-foot sophomore Tia Chambers and 6-4 senior Lindsay Chrise.

See last season's Indiana girls basketball stat leaders

5. Columbus North
Head coach: Pat McKee
2014-15 record: 28-1 (Class 4A state champion)

The defending state champs won't go down without a fight, bringing back five of their top eight players - but they will sorely miss McDonald's All-American Ali Patberg, now at the University of Notre Dame. Returning starters include 5-9 junior Maliah Howard-Bass, who averaged 9.5 points; 5-10 senior Paige Littrell, who averaged 8.1 points and 2.3 assists, and 5-11 senior Elle Williams, who averaged 5.7 points and 5.3 rebounds. Junior guard Ashlyn Huffman (5-5) averaged 11.1 points and 3.5 rebounds off the bench. Imani Guy, a 6-4 junior, averaged 5.2 points and 4.2 rebounds.