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

1. Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia)
Coach: Andrea Peterson
2013-14 Finish: 29-1, lost to Seton-La Salle in Class AA championship

Assistant coach Andrea Peterson takes over as head coach for Letty Santarelli, who resigned abruptly before the season. The Saints have a strong chance to reach the PIAA Class AA state finals again, with the backcourt of Ciani Cryor (5-5, Sr., G) and A.J. Timbers (5-10, Sr., G) returning. Cryor, who's headed to Georgia Tech, and Timbers, each averaged about 12 ppg last season. Add Felicia Aiyeotan (6-9, Jr., C), who will play this season after being plagued by injuries in 2013, and Texas-bound Christina Acoworo (6-4, Sr., C), and the Saints could go undefeated. Sianni Martin (5-8, Sr., G), who averaged 12 ppg, and Alicia Kebbe (5-10, Jr., G), who scored 10 ppg, will be in the rotation, as will Kamiah Smalls (5-8, Jr., G).

"This is unfinished for us; this team still remembers that one loss last year," Peterson said. "This is a team that has something to prove and we're very aware we have a target on our backs. These girls also want to win for Letty. There wasn't a dry eye the day Letty told the girls she had to resign. This year is for Letty."

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2. Cumberland Valley (Mechanicsburg)
Coach: Bill Wolf
2013-14 Finish: 28-5, beat Spring-Ford in Class AAAA championship

There's no reason to think that the Eagles can't repeat as Class AAAA state champions.

"We would be disappointed if we didn't get back to the state championship," coach Wolf said. "That is our goal, but we understand that there are a lot of good AAAA teams in the state. Our goal is to get a chance to repeat."

Wolf has reason for optimism, beginning with star Kelly Jekot (6-0, Jr., G), who averaged 14.1ppg last year and is receiving attention from Villanova, Pitt, St. Joe's, Duke, Boston College and Vanderbilt. Meghan Rhoades (5-11, Sr., F), Jennifer Falconer (5-9, Sr., G) and Taylor Sneidman (5-6, Sr., G), who averaged 6.2 ppg last year, also return. Katie Jekot (5-9, So., G), Kelly's younger sister, Morgan Baughman (5-11, Jr., F) and Addison Kirkpatrick (6-1, So., C) add depth and will receive considerable playing time.

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3. North Allegheny (Wexford)
Coach: Sherri McConnell
2013-14 Finish: 25-3, lost to state runner-up Spring-Ford in Class AAAA semifinals

The Tigers have a trio of prime players back from a team that fell one game shy of making it to the state finals. Abby Gonzales (5-8, Jr., G) is the hub of the North Allegheny team. The point guard makes it all go. That proof came in last year's state semifinals, when Gonzalez didn't play, out with a concussion. Devvin La Barge (5-6, Sr., G) and Taylor Lake (5-10, Jr., F) are the other two key cogs in the Tigers' attack. They combined to average 20 ppg last year. Also returning are Meg Morningstar (6-2, Sr., C), a Notre Dame commit for volleyball, Haley Zeise (5-10, So., G), Grace Weiers (5-6, Sr., G) and Ali Adams (5-6, Sr., G).

"We have key components back after making a run last year," McConnell said. "We have some seniors who will step in as good role players and Gabby is a two-time all-section player. She makes a difference."

View last season's Pennsylvania girls basketball stat leaders

4. Central Bucks West (Doylestown)
Coach: Terry Rakowsky
2013-14 Finish: 21-7, lost to eventual Class AAAA state champion Cumberland Valley in first round

Maybe this is the year the Bucks break through and go deep into the state playoffs. The talent is there, starting with Michigan-bound Nicole Munger (5-10, Sr., G), who averaged 18 ppg, and Colgate-bound Mackenzie Carroll (5-9, Sr., G), who averaged 13 ppg. Peyton Traina (5-9, Sr., G) and Corrinne Godshall (5-11, Sr., F), who averaged a double-double (10 ppg, 10 rpg), are returning starters. Maggie Rakowsky (5-6, So., G), the coach's daughter, will handle the point. Makenzie Mason (5-11, Jr., F) and Megan Tilger (5-10, Sr., F) make the Bucks tough inside.

"Our expectations are very high," coach Rakowsky said. "We're a senior-laden team that has a lot of experience, returning 11 of our top 12 kids. They all played in the AAU national tournaments and they've all gotten better throughout the summer."

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5. Archbishop Wood (Warminster)
Coach: John Gallagher
2013-14 Finish: 26-4, lost to Blackhawk in Class AAA finals

The Vikettes have been to four of the last five Class AAA state championship games and will be looking towards Bailey Greenberg (5-11, Jr., G), one of the best players in the state who averaged 16 ppg as a sophomore, and Drexel-bound Aubree Brown (6-0, Sr., F) to lead the way back. They'll be supported by Shannon May (5-6, So, G), Claire Bassetti (5-7, Jr., G) and Cassie Sebold (5-7, So., G).

"There is a large gap between Bailey and Aubree from everyone else, but we'll be better in February than we are today," Wood coach John Gallagher said. "From what I see, I like the mix of younger kids with the two returning starters that we have."