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

1. Eastview (Apple Valley)
2013-14 record: 31-1, defending Class 4A state champions
Head coach: Melissa Guebert

The Lightning are riding a high after winning their first state title a season ago. Massive expectations will follow Eastview again this year. The coach's daughter, Madison Guebert, is the team's leading scorer at 22 points per game and led the state in made 3-pointers. Fellow senior Hana Metoxen, a forward, will add scoring. Erika Schlosser is also a returning starter.

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

2. Hopkins (Minnetonka)
2013-14 record: 24-4
Head coach: Brian Cosgriff

There is a lot of talent for the Royals with seven of their top eight scorers returning. Junior guard Nia Hollie, the No. 14 ranked player by ESPN in the Class of 2016, leads the way. She scored over 12 points a game last season. Ashley Bates, Jazz Martin, T.T. Starks and Liz Bulver all exceeded 8 points a night. Hopkins was tripped up early in the playoffs last season by Eden Prairie.

View last season's Minnesota girls basketball playoff brackets

3. Eden Prairie
2013-2014 record: 20-10
Head coach: Chris Carr

The Eagles placed third a season ago in Class 4A and have back four of their five starters along with a key reserve. Seniors Martha Kuderer (15 points per game) and Emma Boehm (10 points) were Eden Prairie's top scorers. Combine them with fellow starters Rachael Platt and Andi Jirele, and the team had a great nucleus. Christianna Carr — daughter of coach Chris Carr, who played eight years in the NBA — is ranked by ESPN as a top 20 player in the Class of 2018.

View last season's Minnesota girls basketball stat leaders

4. Lakeville North
2013-14 record: 21-11
Head coach: Shelly Soule Clemons

The Panthers pride themselves on scrappy defense and outworking opponents. That formula worked well last season in placing fourth in Class 4A. The team's top two scorers are back in senior forward MacKenzie Denk (11 points per game, 7 rebounds) and sophomore point guard Temi Carda (10 points, 3 rebounds). Senior Polly Sjoberg (6 points, 3 assists, 2 steals) also started last season.

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5. Kennedy (Bloomington)
2013-14 record: 25-7, Class 4A state runner-up
Head coach: Quintin Johnson

For the second year in a row, the Eagles came up one victory short of a state championship. Bloomington Kennedy may only return two starters, but tradition can go a long ways. Juniors Lashayla Wright-Ponder (12 points per game) and Tyrah Spencer (4 points) will provide experience and sophomore Mariah Alipate (5 points) played significant minutes off the bench last season.