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

1. Horn Lake
2013-14 record: 29-1, Class 6A champion
Coach: Janna Thompson

The Lady Eagles made it look easy last season, suffering just one loss all year and beating Olive Branch, 74-39, in the title game. The graduation of all-state performers A'Queen Hayes and Olivia Cunningham will hurt Thompson's squad this season, but a deep bench scored 26 points in last season's title game and will be ready to step into the spotlight.

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

2. Natchez
2013-14 record: 28-2, Class 5A champion
Coach: Alphaka Moore



The Bulldogs pulled out a nail-biter in last year's 5A final, defeating South Jones 54-51. Last season as a sophomore, center Zyaire Ewing blossomed before Moore's eyes. She averaged 15 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks per game, but saved her best for the title game where she led the team with 29 points and 16 rebounds. Back for her junior year, Ewing makes Natchez the favorite again in 5A.

View last season's Mississippi girls basketball playoff brackets

3. Harrison Central (Gulfport)
2013-14 record: 20-11, Class 6A semifinalist
Coach: Nancy Ladner

The Red Rebelettes suffered a hard-fought five-point loss to Olive Branch in last year's 6A semis. This year Ladner's squad will rely largely on the play of 5-foot-6 senior point guard Jazzmun Holmes, who averaged 20 points, six rebounds, six assists and five steals en route to all-state recognition.

View last season's Mississippi girls basketball stat leaders

4. Byers (Holly Springs)
2013-14 record: 25-8, Class 2A champion
Coach: Jason Thompson



Thompson and the Lady Lions held off a 43-point performance by Victoria Vivians — arguably the best prep basketball player, boys or girls, in the state's history — to defeat Scott Central in last year's 2A final. It was the fourth straight title for Byers, its sixth in seven years. This year should be no exception, with the return of all-state guard Abria Gulledge (6-0, Sr.), who averaged 24 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals last season as a junior.

View Mississippi girls basketball pro photo galleries

5. Brandon
2013-14 record: 25-6
Coach: Stephanie Murphy

Despite an early exit in the playoffs to Harrison Central, the Bulldogs finished as the No. 2 team in the state according to the MaxPreps Computer Rankings. Murphy's squad loses only three seniors, and will be led by a deep and talented 2016 class to go along with its two seniors, Coco Hobson and Ashley Brown.