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

1. Mater Dei (Santa Ana)
2013-14 finish: 27-3
Head coach: Kevin Kiernan

With nation's No. 1 recruit and Connecticut recruit Katie Lou Samuelson (6-3) and a host of talented supporting cast that includes Andee Velasco (5-8) and Bianca Velasco (5-7), coach Kiernan will have the Monarchs once again battling for a state championship. Since Kiernan arrived in 2007-08, Mater Dei has won a remarkable 214 games against 11 losses, including three state titles starting in 2010.

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

2. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth)
2013-14: 28-4
Head coach: Alicia Komaki



The Trailblazers return nine of their 10 players off last year's state championship team including UCLA-bound wing Kennedy Burke, ranked the 16th top senior by ESPNW. Cheyanne Wallace, another senior, had 21 points and 18 rebounds in the state Division IV title game, a 64-37 win over Justin-Siena. It was Sierra Canyon's second state crown and first for Komaki, who is starting her third season as head coach.

View last season's California girls basketball playoff brackets

3. St. Mary's (Stockton)
2013-14: 25-6
Head coach: Tom Gonsalves

One of the nation's most consistent powers should rebound in a big way from — by their standards — a subpar season behind the junior duo of Kat Tudor (13.3 ppg) and Mi'Cole Cayton (11.5). Other top players should be 5-7 senior guard Carlissa Shipp and incoming ninth-grader Aquira Decosta, a 6-2 wing rated one of the top 20 freshmen in the country. The Rams have won three state titles in the last decade, winning at least 24 games in each of those seasons, and at least 30 six times.

View last season's California girls basketball stat leaders

4. Chaminade (West Hills)
2013-14: 29-4
Head coach: Kelli DiMuro



Coming off one of the more impressive state championship wins, 80-51 over perennial power Archbishop Mitty, the Eagles return one of the state's top juniors Valerie Higgins (13.0 points, 8.7 rebounds per game). She should carry the load after dominating post Devin Stanback graduated. Another senior, Paige Fecske will play a much larger role as will sophomore Melissa Wright. Last year was Chaminade's first state crown, but the Eagles went 30-4 in 2012-13. They'll find out just where they stand, opening up with Etiwanda on Dec. 10, before going against Windward (Los Angeles), two teams seriously considered for the Fab 5.

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5. Long Beach Poly
2013-14 finish: 27-3
Head coach: Carl Buggs

The Jackrabbits won their sixth overall and second straight Division I state title, but lost their top three scorers including incoming sophomore Ayanna Clark, a 6-3 post who transferred to St. Anthony. She has already committed to USC. No matter, Buggs always gets the most out of his girls with a deep bench, quickness and defense. Among his top returners are Tania Lamb (7.6 ppg), sophomore Danae Miller (5.2) and senior Ayerjenee Jeanmard.