Archbishop Mitty leads the top five squads that have piled up 30 previous state titles. Also watch out for Long Beach Poly, Brea Olinda, Clovis West and St. Mary's-Stockton in the California girls basketball #MaxPrepsFab5.
Video: St. Mary's wins Nike TOC
See how the Rams fared last season in one of the nation's premier tournaments.2016-17 California preseason girls basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose)Head coach: Sue Phillips
2015-16 record: 23-4
Ranked ninth nationally last season, the Monarchs return just about everyone, including one of the nation's top sophomores in
Haley Jones (10.0 ppg). They also return their top two scorers,
Madeline Holland (10.8 ppg) and
Tahlia Garza (10.3) along with
Heleyna Hill (9.0) and
Karisma Ortiz (7.1). Mitty is going after its seventh state crown.
See the MaxPreps California girls basketball computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard
2. Long Beach PolyHead coach: Carl Buggs
2015-16 record: 27-5
Buggs, who has led the Jackrabbits to six state titles, has another deep and talented juggernaut, led by the return of his top three scorers,
Jasmine Jones (13.6 ppg),
Ayanna Clark (13.4) and
Danae Miller (10.1). Buggs is outstanding at using his entire bench and he figures to have another long one.
See the MaxPreps California girls basketball stat leaders3. Clovis West (Fresno)Head coach: Craig Campbell
2015-16 record: 30-4
The Golden Eagles return their top four scorers from last season, all who are seniors this season, including 6-1 wing
Megan Anderson (13.0 ppg) and 5-9 guard
Sarah Bates (12.9 ppg).
See the MaxPreps California girls basketball photos
4. Brea Olinda (Brea)Head coach: Jeff Sink
2015-16 record: 29-4
Tyiona Watkins, Brea Olinda
File photo by Louis Lopez
The Wildcats won a record 10th state crown with a 64-51 Division I win over St. Francis (Sacramento) last season. With so much talent returning, including super junior
Tyiona Watkins, Brea-Olinda might move up to the Open Division.
See the MaxPreps California girls basketball playoff brackets5. St. Mary's (Stockton)Head coach: Tom Gonsalves
2015-16 record: 28-1
The Rams will be loaded again, led by one of the top juniors in the country.
Aquira DeCosta is a 6-foot-2 wing who averaged 15.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.2 steals a game on a balanced squad. Other top players include
Naje' Murray (12.9 ppg) and
Ariel Johnson (8.0). Murray tore her ACL over the summer, will help the team immensely as a leader but may not play this season. Gonsalves has guided St. Mary's to eight state championships.
Rankings updated Nov. 5
