Kennedy Redding, Bountiful
Photo by Dave Argyle
2015-16 Utah Preseason Girls Basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. BountifulHead coach: Joel Burton
2014-15 record: 22-1
With Sky View in Class 5A this season, Bountiful becomes the automatic favorite to win the Class 4A title. One reason why is senior
Kennedy Redding. There is little question Redding is one of the most dominant players in the state. She helped the Braves win 22 straight games in 2014 before suffering an upset loss to Maple Mountain in the Class 4A quarterfinals. Redding, who is committed to play volleyball at BYU next year, averaged 21.2 points and 16.2 rebounds per game as a junior. She has a talented supporting cast – led by
Lovely Tukuafu,
Amy Chidester and
Jaimee Stahle – also returning with her for one more run at the title.
See last season's Utah girls basketball computer rankings 2. Brighton (Salt Lake City)Head coach: Jim Gresh
2014-15 record: 14-5
Standout guard Lindsay Johnson and three other senior rotation players have graduated, but that doesn't mean the cupboard is bare for the defending Class 5A champions.
Dani Barton returns to build on a breakout sophomore campaign where she averaged 18.1 points per game to lead the team in scoring. The offense will no doubt run through Barton again, but she will be complemented by
Brooke Ingles on the outside. Ingles emerged as a capable perimeter scoring threat as a sophomore last season. She ranked second on the team behind Johnson in 3-point shooting.
See Utah girls basketball pro photo galleries3. Sky View (Smithfield)Head coach: Vanessa Hall
2014-15 record: 25-0
Lindsey Jensen did everything in leading the Bobcats to a perfect season and a Class 4A title last year. It will be tough to replace what Jensen did on offense, but Sky View returns virtually her entire supporting cast in the team's first season in Class 5A.
Hunter Krebs could be poised for a breakout season after averaging 8.6 points and 4.9 rebounds as a sophomore.
Tegan Goldman,
Kylie Hale and
Kaylee Carlsen are all talented outside shooters who should draw away plenty of defensive pressure from Krebs in the post.
See last season's Utah girls basketball playoff brackets4. Salem Hills (Salem)Head coach: Kyle Francom
2014-15 record: 21-3
Bountiful's toughest competition in Class 4A could come from the Skyhawks. Salem Hills returns the bulk of its contributors from a team that won the Region 8 title last season.
Lauren Gustin enjoyed a strong freshman season, averaging 12.0 points and 10.8 rebounds.
Jane Nelson is another capable offensive threat and a solid playmaker in the backcourt who complements Gustin's inside presence. Nelson averaged 11.5 points, 2.5 assists and 2.4 steals a season ago.
See last season's Utah girls basketball stat leaders5. RivertonHead coach: Ron Ence
2014-15 record: 19-3
The Silverwolves emerged as one of Class 5A's top defensive teams a year ago and it helped them reach the Class 5A semifinals. Riverton returns enough talent to put together another strong season in 2015. It all starts with senior forward
Tiena Afu. She is the team's top returning scorer after averaging 10.3 points per game as a junior. Senior guard
Olivia Neilson showed potential for becoming a consistent perimeter threat a year ago and could be poised for a breakout season as she helps replace three graduated starters in the backcourt.
John Coon covers Utah High School Sports for MaxPreps. You can contact him at john_coon@hotmail.com and follow him on Twitter at @johncoonsports