MaxPreps 2015-16 Central Section preseason high school girls basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Clovis West (Fresno)
Head coach: Craig Campbell
2014-15 record: 26-5

The Golden Eagles have a tradition of excellence and last season was no different, as they won the Central Section Division I title for the third time in a row and then won a game in the regional playoffs in the Open Division as the No. 4 seed. And they did it with four sophomore starters. Senior guard Ashley Cross (3.8 steals per game) was named the Fresno Bee's Outstanding Defensive Girls Basketball Player last season and Campbell was the Coach of the Year. Megan Anderson (6-1 junior guard/forward), Sarah Bates (5-9 junior guard), Danae Marquez (5-4 junior guard) and Bre'yanna Sanders (6-0 junior forward) all received recognition on the Bee's "Jive 25" team.

See last season's Central Section girls basketball computer rankings

2. Garces Memorial (Bakersfield)
Head coach: Tod Denison
2014-15 record: 27-3

The Rams were the No. 1 seed in Division I but were upset by Edison in the semifinals of the section playoffs, then they dropped their only game in the regional playoffs, to Windward (Los Angeles). This season they bring back the Bakersfield Californian's Player of the Year in center Celeste West (18.8 points, 14.3 rebounds per game) and senior guard/forward Celeste West is a four-year varsity player who was an honorable mention pick by the Californian. Five total players return.

See Central Section girls basketball pro photo galleries

3. Independence (Bakersfield)
Head coach: Val Mancera
2014-15 record: 27-3

The Californian named Mancera the Coach of the Year, taking the team to a Division II section title and a win in the regional playoffs with just one senior starter. Junior guard Jasmin Dixon (13.7 points per game) earned first-team recognition due to her long-range shooting and defensive presence on the perimeter, while senior Ebony Sanders (8.3 points, 8.8 rebounds per game) was a first-team choice due to her presence down low. Kahlaijah Dean averaged 10.9 points per game last season as a freshman.

See last season's California girls basketball playoff brackets

4. Edison (Fresno)
Head coach: Bill Engel
2014-15 record: 26-5

The Tigers eliminated Garces Memorial then fell to Clovis West in the Division I section title game, not bad for a No. 4 seed. Rodjanae Wade, a senior power forward who averaged 17.6 points per game, is back after a Jive 25 season as a junior. Senior Jerrene Richardson (5-7) also returns after averaging 9.6 points per game.

See last season's California girls basketball stat leaders

5. Mission Oak (Tulare)
Head coach: Dave Caetano
2014-15 record: 27-6

The defending Division III section champions have some great youth, like sophomore Kambrayia Elzy (10.5 points, 4.8 assists per game) and experience with senior Tristen Myers (12.1 points, 10.4 rebounds). Both players were Jive 25 selections by the Fresno Bee. Only two seniors moved on, so Mission Oak has a stellar chance at repeating.