MaxPreps 2016-17 Nebraska preseason high school girls basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Mollie Shepard's highlights vs. Concordia
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1. Lincoln Christian
Head coach: Nick Orduna
2015-16 record: 25-2, Defending Class C1 state runner-up

With five starters returning for the Crusaders, Orduna's club should be able to play with anybody on its brutal schedule this season, which includes a trip to Phoenix to compete in the Nike TOC Dec. 19-22. At the head of Orduna's roster are returning All-State juniors Chloe Dworak, Emie Hollenbeck and Taytem Coleman. Seniors Ashlyn Power and Mollie Shepard received honorable mention All-State honors a year ago as the Crusaders came up three points short of winning a Class C1 state championship.

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2. South Sioux City
Head coach: Molly Hornbeck
2015-16 record: 23-2, lost to Lincoln East in the Class A state quarterfinals

While it is true that All-State performer Augusta Thramer and Haley Fritza used up all of their eligibility a year ago, it's also a fact that Hornbeck returns a ton of talent. Nine Cardinals played in all 25 games a year ago, and seven of them return in 2016-17. Leading the way as the Cardinals try to get back to the state championship game for the first time since 2008 are first team All River Cities Conference selectee senior Carissa Powell and senior guard Kori Fischer.

See the MaxPreps Nebraska girls basketball stat leaders

3. Millard West (Omaha)
Head coach: Marc Kruger
2015-16 record: 23-6, defending Class A state runner-up Hoping Courtney Merryweather eventually returns from an ACL injury, Kruger will have to game plan around the services of his returning junior post. However, the Wildcats will begin the season with a roster that lists eight other letterwinners from a year ago, including 2015-16 regulars junior Lauren Rongisch and senior Logan Black. Kruger has a terrific sophomore class and could go 10 deep this winter.

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4. Platteview (Springfield)
Head coach: Ron Coughlin
2015-16 record: 25-1, lost to Waverly in the Class B state semifinals

After carrying a brilliant 25-0 record into last year's Class B state basketball tournament, the Trojans made an earlier-than-expected exit. We don't see that same outcome occurring next March. Coughlin returns four starters and a total of 10 letterwinners from a year ago, including first team All-State player Payton Brotzki, a junior, and her 24.2-point scoring average.

See the MaxPreps Nebraska girls basketball playoff brackets

5. Kearney Catholic
Head coach: Rick Petri
2015-16 record: 28-1, Defending Class C1 state champion

After three straight years of coming close to winning it all, Petri's squad broke through and won Kearney Catholic's first state title since 2007 last March. But that's not all of the good news. Petri brings back everybody except Michelle Messbarger and Maddie Squiers, each of whom graduated last May. Leading the way in the Stars' title defense is senior Kylie Thiele, a returning All-State selection who also landed first team All-Region honors from the Kearney Hub after scoring 13 points a game. Seniors Anna Squiers, Katelyn Long and Morgan Thiele return as well.