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

1. Regis Jesuit (Aurora)
2013-14 record: 26-2
Coach: Carl Mattei

The Raiders won the state title for the second straight season and finished No. 3 in the Xcellent 25 last year. While several Division-I players graduated from that squad, others are ready to follow in their footsteps. Playmaking guard Jess Lewis returns, a three-year starter who recently signed with Army. The Raiders also expect big things from 6-foot-1 junior TaeKenya Cleveland and fellow varsity returner Maggie Grossaint. Also keep an eye on 6-4 freshman Noelle Cahill and emerging point guard Julia Drexelius.

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

2. Grandview (Aurora)
2013-14 record: 24-3
Coach: Josh Ulitzky



Michaela Onyenwere tore up the circuit as a freshman last season, bursting onto the scene by averaging 18.6 points and 9.7 rebounds for a Wolves team that advanced to the state semifinals. Onyenwere, who set the Grandview scoring record and was named the MVP of The Show all-star game at the Pepsi Center, narrowly missed out on cracking the Team U.S. U17 World Championship Team. The Wolves will need some complimentary scorers to emerge, bit Onyenwere's presence is a good start.

View last season's Colorado girls basketball playoff brackets

3. Fossil Ridge (Fort Collins)
2013-14 record: 26-2
Coach: Chad Salz

The SaberCats advanced to their first championship game last season, but ultimately fell to nationally ranked Regis Jesuit. While top scorer Savannah Smith has graduated, the Sabercats return second- and third-leading scorers Brooke Pemberton and Kellee Willer, and figure to remain a top-flight contender. In addition to averaging double-digits in points, Pemberton and Willer were the Sabercats' leading rebounders, each with an average of more than eight per game.

View last season's Colorado girls basketball stat leaders

4. Mesa Ridge (Colorado Springs)
2013-14 record: 28-0
Coach: Jeff Beatty



The only 4A team on the list absolutely has earned its spot after a clean sweep of the classification last season, including a gutsy 45-41 win against Broomfield in the title game. For the Grizzlies, it's all about 6-foot-4 junior Kylee Shook, who averaged 13 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.5 blocks last season. The Grizzlies graduated four key seniors so they will need to fill in pieces around Shook, and senior shooting guard Kayla Martinez appears to be ready for an increased role.

View Colorado girls basketball pro photo galleries

5. Rampart (Colorado Springs)
2013-14 record: 20-6
Coach: Megan Leatham

This spot could have just as easily gone to perennial power Highlands Ranch, or to longtime 4A stalwart Broomfield, which is moving up to 5A this season. But we'll give the early nod to the Rams, who return dynamic scorer Cassidy Budge (17.6 points a game last season) and second-leading scorer Nicea Eliely (12.7). The Rams, not typically a power in 5A, advanced to the quarterfinals last season, where they were ousted by Grandview.