MaxPreps 2013-14 Nebraska preseason girls basketball Fab 5

Click here to see the girls basketball preseason Fab 5 from every state

1. Benson (Omaha)
Head Coach: Jon Perone
2012-13 finish: 16-8, lost to Bellevue West 53-51 in the Class A quarterfinals

With just one senior residing on last season’s roster, Perone’s squad gained all kinds of big game experience after qualifying for the state tournament. Back to guide the Bunnies to the Nebraska girls basketball promised land is second-team Super Stater Kianna Ibis, a 6-foot junior that poured in more than 19 points a contest a year ago. Seniors Montrese Weller, Octavia Mcgraw and Moneeka Robinson combined for 19 points a game in 2012-13 and junior Arbieal Benson contributed about 11 points a contest.

2. Bellevue West
Head Coach: Marc Kruger
2012-13 finish: 27-2, lost to Lincoln Southeast 65-57 in Class A championship game



The Thunderbirds have been on a roll as of late, winning Class A state titles in 2007, 2009 and 2010 and taking home runner-up finishes in 2011 and 2013. The solid nucleus of seniors Kate Liveringhouse (6-1), a first team all-state selection in 2012-13, and Madi Braun (5-9) and sophomore Chloe Akin-Otiko (5-9) place Kruger’s squad at or near the top once again. Julie Targy (Sr.), Katie Imig (Jr.), Taylea Dotzler (Jr.), Anna Dolezal (Sr.), Mia Felici (Fr.) and Primmi Dike (Sr.) will allow the Thunderbirds to have a deep bench this winter.

3. Fremont
Head Coach: Tony Weinandt
2012-13 finish: 8-16, lost to Lincoln Northeast 69-30 in the Class A-6 district semifinals

It’s not often that an 8-16 team from the previous season gets tabbed as a Top 3 pick. However, the Tigers do return 2012-13 honorable mention all state seniors Claire Meyer and Kendall Niehaus and senior Katie Sorensen and junior Gessica Gdowski — then when you throw in the addition of Lincoln Southeast transfer and Super State forward Jessica Shepard (6-3, Jr.)  — WOW! Shepard, a Nebraska pledge who has been ranked anywhere from fifth to 11th nationally on several recruiting sites, is arguably the best player in the state and hopes to add a state championship at a second high school after the Knights claimed the top prize a year ago.

4. Millard West (Omaha)
Head Coach: Kip Colony
2012-13 finish: 23-6, lost to Omaha Central 65-57 in the Class A consolation game

Samantha Waldron (5-11, Sr.) would like nothing better than to come out on top of two more playoff games than she and her Wildcat teammates triumphed in a year ago. The second team Class A all-state senior averaged almost 16 points a game last season and looks to get a win in the semifinals, boosting the Wildcats into the Class A championship contest. With a pair of honorable mention all state seniors in Paige Phipps and Brooke Savage and junior Marisa Lowe by her side, the Wildcats stand shoulder-to-shoulder with anybody they take the court against.

5. Northwest (Grand Island)
Head Coach: Russ Moerer
2012-13 finish: 25-3, defeated Norris 62-51 in two overtimes in the Class B state championship game



While its true that the Vikings won’t get the volleyball-basketball sweep two years in a row, following a four-game loss to Norris in the Class B state volleyball semifinals, back-to-back state basketball titles are still a real possibility. Moerer returns All-Heartland Athletic Conference captain and Super Stater McKenzie Brown (5-11, Sr.), a 1,000 point scorer already after she poured in about 20 points an outing a year ago. Seniors Katie Placke, Kennadi Keezer and Erin Sorahan all earned honorable mention all-state honors last season.

The Omaha World Herald, Lincoln Journal Star and HoopsOmaha.com were referenced for these rankings.