2015-16 Louisiana Preseason Girls Basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Easton (New Orleans)Head coach: Darius Mimms
2014-15 record: 36-1
The
Eagles finished an outstanding season as the 4A state champion and the
No. 20 team in the country by overcoming 30 points and 23 rebounds from
Kalani Brown to defeat Salmen. Mimms may have an even better squad this
year, with first team all-state guard
Kechelle Figueroa leading the way.
See last season's Louisiana girls basketball computer rankings2. DestrehanHead coach: Angi Butler
2014-15 record: 26-3
The
Wildcats lost a heartbreaker to eventual state champ Ponchatoula in
the 5A semifinals. Butler's squad may be able to advance even farther
this year, led by all-state guard
Cara Ursin, who averaged a whopping
26.3 points per game last season.
See Louisiana girls basketball pro photo galleries3. PonchatoulaHead coach: Patricia Landaiche
2014-15 record: 29-3
The Green Wave capped off a fine season with a 47-29 win over Walker in the 5A title game. Coach of the Year Landaiche loses 40 points per game between LSWA Outstanding Player Jyar Francis and second team all-state selection Arianna Hamilton, but Ponchatoula will surely be a threat come playoff time.
See last season's Louisiana girls basketball playoff brackets4. Salmen (Slidell)Head coach: Panos Bountovinas
2014-15 record: 25-5
The
Spartans suffered two key losses after last year's 4A runner-up season —
all-time program great Kalani Brown and 10-year head coach Kevin
Anderson. Bountovinas takes over this year's team after coming over from
Mount Carmel, which he led to a 5A state title in 2014.
Arianna Cooks,
who played a big role as a freshman, will likely take over the scoring
duties for Brown and all-state performer Tiara Warren.
See last season's Louisiana girls basketball stat leaders5. WalkerHead coach: Korey Arnold
2014-15 record: 31-6
The Wildcats were smothered by Ponchatoula in the 5A final, but earned the championship appearance on a buzzer-beater by Jamie Gibson in the semifinal matchup against New Iberia. Gibson and her 22.3 points per game graduated, but Arnold will have a set of hungry, young players ready to step up.