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

The Continental League has long been the standard bearer in the big-school basketball world. Since 2000, teams from the Continental League have won 13 state titles.

While Broomfield ended a two-year run by Regis Jesuit last year, the two favorites – ThunderRidge and Highlands Ranch – again hail from the Continental League. Many key games will contested throughout the season, but none will be more anticipated than when Highlands Ranch makes the short drive to ThunderRidge on Jan. 22.


1. ThunderRidge (Highlands Ranch)
Head coach: Matthew Asik
2014-15 record: 25-3, lost to Broomfield in Class 5A state championship

Despite suffering mild graduation losses, the Grizzlies will have somewhat of a new look this season, as Asik takes the helm after serving as a varsity assistant. It should be a smooth transition, as the top two scorers return. Senior Taylor Rusk is one of 5A's top players and has committed to Wyoming after averaging 14.0 points and 7.0 rebounds last season. Jaz'Myne Snipes added 11.9 points, and along with Alyssia Martinez gives the Grizzlies three players who will move on to the next level. Snipes is committed to Regis, while Martinez will attend Black Hills State.



See last season's Colorado girls basketball computer rankings

2. Highlands Ranch
Head coach: Caryn Jarocki
2014-15 record: 21-5, lost to Cherry Creek in Class 5A quarterfinals

Much like its league rival, the Highlands Ranch roster returns nearly intact. After being upset in the quarterfinals, the Falcons have plenty of experience and talent to make a run at their eighth state title under Jarocki. College recruiters saw something in the Falcons, as Blaire Braxton (Seattle), Symone Starks (Eastern Washington) and Brianne Stiers (Missouri-Kansas City) all have committed. College coaches figure to be hanging around a lot more, too, as it was 5-foot-9 sophomore Leilah Vigil who led the Falcons in scoring (13.5 points) last season as a freshman. She looks to be the next in a long line of Highlands Ranch standouts.

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3. Broomfield
Head coach: Derek Seifried
2014-15 record: 26-2, won Class 5A state championship

The Eagles are undoubtedly facing a major transition, as 20-year coach Mike Croell took his six state championships into a deserved retirement. While Broomfield will have a new leader on the bench in Seifried, fortunately two of his top players return to make the Eagles a factor again. The versatile Brenna Chase, who has committed to BYU, averaged 15.5 points, 3.4 assists and 3.4 steals as a junior, and teams with Brenna Fankell (11.6 points, 6.5 rebounds) to give Broomfield a potent duo. Senior Maddie Kern adds depth in the post.



See last season's Colorado girls basketball playoff brackets

4. Sand Creek (Colorado Springs)
Head coach: BJ Johnson
2014-15 record: 23-4, lost to Valor Christian in Class 4A championship

Coaching changes seem to be the theme in the Fab 5, as Johnson will be taking over for the departed Frank Haist. And like most other teams on the list, the Scorpions were not hit hard by graduation, either. In fact, they return 4A's top duo in seniors Oliana Squires and Liah Davis, who complement each other well. Squires, a 5-8 guard who has committed to Montana State, averaged a team-best 17.8 points and 4.5 assists per game, while Davis, a 6-2 post headed to Colorado State, posted 15.6 points and 11.5 rebounds. With depth provided by the likes of Shayla Armstrong, Moriah Ceballes and Conner Proctor, the Scorpions should be the team to beat in 4A.

See last season's Colorado girls basketball stat leaders

5. Lakewood
Head coach: Chris Poisson
2014-15 record: 20-6, lost to Broomfield in Class 5A quarterfinals

After consecutive trips to the 5A quarterfinals, the Tigers look primed for a deeper push into the big-school postseason. They graduated only one senior and return the top-scoring duo of McKenna Bishop and Mackenzie Forrest, who will play a final season in black and orange before heading off together to Regis University. Bishop averaged a team-best 15.2 points and 7.7 rebounds last season, paired with Forrest's 14.7 points. They alone might be enough but the Tigers also employ perimeter threats and fellow seniors Anissa Barela, Madeline Miller and Marisela Perez to provide balance throughout the lineup. The Tigers will get an early challenge at the season-opening La Jolla Country Day Tournament in California.