MaxPreps 2015-16 South Dakota preseason high school girls basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

By Kevin Askeland Nov 24, 2015, 8:00pm

Washington leads the way. But also watch out for O'Gorman, More, Mt. Vernon/Plankinton and Sully Buttes in the South Dakota #MaxPrepsFab5.

Graphic by Ryan Escobar

2015-16 South Dakota preseason high school girls basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Washington (Sioux Falls)
Head coach: Jamie Parish
2014-15 record: 17-11

The Warriors were a bit of a surprise last year, as they lost 11 games during the regular season but swept through the playoffs for a state championship. Washington topped O'Gorman 45-42 in the Class AA finals and return a pair of all-state players from that squad. Anna Goodhope, a forward, made the second team after averaging 16.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game last season. Sydney Arrington, a forward, also made the second team and averaged 13.9 points and 5.3 rebounds as a junior.

See last season's South Dakota girls basketball computer rankings

2. O'Gorman (Sioux Falls)
Head coach: Kent Kolsrud
2014-15 record: 23-2



The Knights made a strong run at the Class AA state championship, reaching the championship game before falling to Washington (Sioux Falls) 45-42. O'Gorman will miss all-state selections Jessica Mieras and Dalee Stene, but Rachel Townsend (9.6 ppg) returns along with 6-foot-3 post Sebastian Akoi, guard Ashlee Beacom and forward Emily Kolbeck.

See national girls basketball pro photo galleries

3. More (Rapid City)
Head coach: Brandon Kandolin
2014-15 record: 24-1

The Cavaliers were barely challenged last year in winning the Class A state championship, winning the title game by 30 points and all playoff games by an average of 33 points. More's only loss was to a team from Nebraska. Ciara Duffy, all-state first team as a junior, is the top returning player for More, which graduated only two players from last year's squad.

See last season's South Dakota girls basketball playoff brackets

4. Mt. Vernon/Plankinton (Mt. Vernon)
Head coach: Bill Marquardt
2014-15 record: 19-6



The Titans lost in the semifinals of the Class A playoffs, but they took third place with a 58-48 win over Webster. Megan Bultsma, a 6-3 center, earned all-state first team honors as a junior while Makaela Karst, a 6-foot senior forward, earned second team all-state honors.

See last season's South Dakota girls basketball stat leaders

5. Sully Buttes (Onida)
Head coach: Mark Senftner
2014-15 record: 24-2

The Chargers lost in the Class B state championship game to Ethan, but they lose only one player from last year's team. Chloe Lamb and Racquel Wientjes, both juniors, earned first team all-state honors last year. Lamb averaged 14.6 points and 9.6 rebounds while Wientjes posted averages of 19.8 points and 4.7 assists.