Whitney Young is the team to beat, but watch out for Benet Academy, New Trier, Trinity and Morton in the Illinois #MaxPrepsFab5.
2015-16 Illinois Preseason Girls Basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Whitney Young (Chicago)Head coach: Corry Irvin
2014-15 record: 28-2
The
Dolphins were stunned in the opening round of the 4A tournament by
Trinity, but Irvin's squad still finished ranked No. 14 nationally in
the Xcellent 25. Senior point guard
Kiara Lewis (21 points, six
rebounds, four assists per game last season) is one of the top players in
the state, and likely won't allow another playoff upset this season.
View last season's Illinois girls basketball computer rankings2. Benet Academy (Lisle)Head coach: Peter Paul
2014-15 record: 34-3
The
Redwings handily defeated Fremd to win the 4A title last season. Paul
will have his team ready for a repeat this season with the return of
all-state point guard
Kathleen Doyle, who averaged 13.8 points, 4.8
rebounds and 5.2 assists for Benet.
View last season's Illinois girls basketball playoff brackets3. New Trier (Winnetka)Head coach: Teri Rodgers
2014-15 record: 31-2
The Trevians lost to Fremd in the 4A semifinals, but Rodgers will have this year's squad ready for revenge. Returning all-state center
Jeannie Boehm will lead the way, hoping to build on her averages of 16 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.0 blocks per game.
View last season's Illinois girls basketball stat leaders4. Trinity (River Forest)Head coach: Ed Stritzel
2014-15 record: 27-5
The Blazers pulled off one of the biggest upsets in recent memory by taking down Whitney Young, and then lost a heart-breaker to Homewood-Flossmoor. This year Stritzel's team won't be able to sneak up on anyone, but returning all-state forward
Kaitlyn Aylward and company will be up to the challenge.
View last season's Illinois girls basketball pro photo galleries5. MortonHead coach: Bob Becker
2014-15 record: 33-3
The Lady Potters took down Rochester to win the 3A title behind the play of all-state guard
Chandler Ryan, who made all 23 of her free throw attempts in two state playoff games. She averaged 15.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and two steals per game last year, and will look to help Becker win a second-straight title.
