MaxPreps 2016-17 CIF Central Coast Section preseason high school girls basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Adriana Frazier's highlights vs. Valley Christian
See the Saint Francis player in action last season.


Note: Archbishop Mitty (San Jose), the state's top-ranked team, was featured in the California overall Fab 5 and therefore not eligible for these rankings.

1. Pinewood (Los Altos Hills)
Head coach: Doc Scheppler
2015-16 record: 24-6

The Panthers have won seven state titles under Scheppler, and even though they didn't last year, it will still go down as one of the program's most memorable seasons. Pinewood lost in the section Open Division finals to Mitty, but responded with NorCal Open victories over Bishop O'Dowd (50-45) before the grandmommy of them all, a 72-69 win at St. Mary's (Stockton), then undefeated and the No. 1 team in the country. The Panthers return their top five scorers, led by sophomore Hannah Jump (12.0), senior Akayla Hackson (11.6), junior Brianna Claros (10.9) and senior Erin Poindexter-McHan (10.1). Pinewood is all about balance, sharing the ball and 3-point shooting. It made 301 3-pointers last season.

See the MaxPreps California girls basketball computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard

2. Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory (San Francisco)
Head coach: LyRyan Russell
2015-16 record: 21-9

The Irish were up-and-down much of the regular season playing in the rugged West Catholic Athletic League, but then put it together in the postseason to win a Division III state title. They return one of the state's top all-around players in IImar'I Thomas, a 6-1 power forward who averaged 23.9 points and 12.4 rebounds per game last season. She really picked it up in the postseason and in the state finals had 30 points and 15 rebounds in a 50-47 win over Lakeside. She had 25 points and 23 rebounds in a 70-51 semifinal win over Inderkum. With only one player graduating off last year's 17-person roster, the Irish are primed for another big year.

See the MaxPreps California girls basketball stat leaders

3. Valley Christian (San Jose)
Head coach: Chris McSwain
2015-16 record: 18-10 Playing out the rugged WCAL with the likes of Mitty, Sacred Heart Cathedral and Saint Francis, the Warriors figure to be even better this season with the continued development of first-team All-League guard Kyanna Davis (10.8 ppg) and second-team All-WCAL player Caitlin Keding (12.6 ppg). Two other key components are returners, Nyah Willis, a freshman last season, and Lizzie Moore. That duo combined for 14.7 points per game to complement Davis and Keding.

See the MaxPreps California girls basketball photos

4. Saint Francis (Mountain View)
Head coach: Brian Harrigan
2015-16 record: 18-10

Known for their rugged defense and team basketball, the Lancers return their top two scorers, including 5-3 sophomore guard Paige Uyehara, who averaged 13 points per game as a freshman. Harrigan led Sacred Heart Cathedral to four state championships and a mythical national crown in 2008 before taking a couple years off. He then accepted a post for the Lancers.

See the MaxPreps California girls basketball playoff brackets

5. Eastside College Prep (East Palo Alto)
Head coach: Donovan Blythe
2015-16 record: 20-11

A year after losing in the state Division V finals, the Panthers kept their promise and won it last season. In 2014-15, East College Prep had just six players but almost doubled that to 11 last year and that is what it will keep this season. They return everyone, including two leading scorers, 5-7 junior Kayla Tahaafe (15.2 ppg) and 5-5 sophomore Zion Gabriel (14.3). Other key performers are sophomores Kiki Humphrey and Kayla Mahan.