Champlain Valley Union looks four fourth-straight title, begins season with 71-game win streak. Also watch out for Essex, Bellows Free Academy St. Albans, Mill River and Lyndon Institute in the Vermont #MaxPrepsFab5.
2015-16 Vermont Preseason Girls Basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Champlain Valley Union (Hinesburg)
Head coach: Ute Otley
2014-15 record: 24-0
Who else but the Redhawks begin the season at No. 1? Champlain Valley has won three straight state championships and 71 games in a row. The Redhawks also return several players from last year's group, including first team all-state guard
Sadie Otley, who averaged 11.5 points per game last season, and State Player of the Year
Laurel Jaunich, a 6-foot-1 center who averaged 15.5 points and 6.9 rebounds.
See last season's national girls basketball computer rankings2. Essex (Essex Junction)
Head coach: Shawn Montague
2014-15 record: 18-6
The Hornets reached their first state final in nine seasons last year, falling to Champlain Valley 41-23. Essex returns one of the state's top players, however, in all-state guard
Mychaela Harton, who averaged 10.8 points per game as a junior. The Hornets also return
Taylor Truax, who earned honorable mention all-state status last year.
See MaxPreps national girls basketball pro photos3. Bellows Free Academy (St. Albans)
Head coach: Richard Berthiaume
2014-15 record: 19-4
Bellows Free Academy reached the state semifinals last year before falling to Essex. The Bobwhites will miss four-year starter Kimberly Howrigan, who earned all-state honors last season. However, all-state third team junior guard
Hannah Earl returns.
See last season's Vermont girls basketball playoff brackets4. Mill River (North Clarendon)
Head coach: Ken Webb
2014-15 record: 19-5
The Minutemen won the Division 2 state championship last year with a 50-46 victory over Lake Region (Orleans). Mill River returns one of the top Division 2 players in the state in
Ella Bankert, who earned third team all-state honors as a sophomore last year.
See last season's Vermont girls basketball stat leaders5. Lyndon Institute (Lyndon Center)
Head coach: Eric Berry
2014-15 record: 16-7
The Vikings reached the Division 2 semifinals last year before falling to Lake Region.
Shaylan Mosher returns for her junior season after earning all-state honorable mention honors last year. Lyndon lost just three seniors to graduation last year.
