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

1. Bedford North Lawrence
2013-14 finish: 27-1, 2-time defending Class 4A state champion
Head coach: Jeff Allen

The Stars are loaded with real stars as they seek their third-consecutive Class 4A state title and they return the heart of the last two teams with three Division I commits. Dominique McBryde, a 6-foot-2 senior who has committed to Purdue University, averaged 15 points, 7.1 rebounds and three assists. Michigan State recruit Jenna Allen, a 6-3 senior, averaged 14.9 points and 9.4 rebounds, while 5-7 senior point guard Alexa Bailey averaged 8.1 points, 4.3 assists and 3.2 rebounds and will follow her famous father, Damon Bailey, to Butler next year. Jeff Allen, Jenna's father, has moved from assistant to head coach and if he can successfully replace some outside shooters who graduated, he could be cutting down the nets again this year.

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

2. Lawrence North (Indianapolis)
2013-14 finish: 25-2
Head coach: Chris Giffin



The Wildcats are deep and loaded with talent, but they still have to prove they can get over the hump and defeat Bedford North Lawrence. They also already have three Division I commits. Lamina Cooper, a 5-8 senior, has chosen Purdue after averaging 16.1 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists last year. Another senior, Northwestern recruit Jordan Hankins (5-7), averaged 11.3 points and 3.7 rebounds. Purdue also has a commitment from a super junior, 6-1 Ae'rianna Harris, a shot-blocker who averaged 10.6 points and 9.0 rebounds last year at Ben Davis (Indianapolis). Amani Ferguson, a 5-4 senior, set a school record last year by shooting 41 percent from 3-point range.

View last season's Indiana girls basketball playoff brackets

3. Heritage Christian (Indianapolis)
2013-14 finish: 27-1, Class 2A state champion
Head coach: Rick Risinger

Coach Rick Risinger has won five state titles in nine years and has at least six Division I prospects - four who have committed. And his best player might be a junior, 5-10 guard Tyasha Harris, who averaged 15.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists as a sophomore. Darby Foresman, a 6-3 junior who has committed to Indiana, averaged 11.3 points and 5.5 rebounds. Adding great scoring balance are 5-6 senior Sydney Hall (9.7), 5-10 senior Allison Schofield (9.0), 5-10 senior Peyton Fallis (8.2) and 5-11 junior Taylor Hall (7.7). Super 5-9 freshman Katelyn Gilbert already is getting Division I offers.

View last season's Indiana girls basketball stat leaders

4. Homestead (Fort Wayne)
2013-14 finish: 23-2
Head coach: Rod Parker



Four starters return, led by 5-8 sophomore guard Karissa McLaughlin, who averaged 17.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists as a freshman. Senior guard Josie Fisher (5-5) averaged 11.5 points and 6.7 assists, while 6-foot senior forward Grace German averaged 11 points and 7.5 rebounds. Six-foot junior Lindley Kistler also will make major contributions and the Spartans have loads of depth. They proved what they could do in the summer by winning the prestigious Best of Maryland Tournament, which included top teams from around the country.

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5. Columbus North
2013-14 finish: 23-3
Head coach: Pat McKee

The Bull Dogs return three starters, paced by Notre Dame recruit Ali Patberg, a 5-10 senior who averaged 18.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.9 assists. The other two veterans are 5-10 junior Paige Littrell, who averaged 8.1 points, and 5-9 senior Debie Gedeon, who averaged 4.5 points and 3.2 rebounds. Good production also should come from 5-9 sophomore Maliah Howard-Bass and 6-4 sophomore Imani Guy. Depth will be provided by seniors Sheyanne Street (5-8) and Hannah Poindexter (5-10) and juniors Elle Williams (5-11), Emily Kim (5-6) and Emma Ballard (5-7).