MaxPreps 2013-14 California preseason girls basketball Fab 5

Click here to see the girls basketball preseason Fab 5 from every state

1. Long Beach Poly
2012-13 finish: 29-5, State D-I champion
Head coach: Carl Buggs

The addition of 6-foot-3 transfer and UCLA-bound Lajahna Drummer, who won't be eligible until Jan. 6, makes Poly a legitimate national title contender. The perennial national power already returns three of its top four leading scorers including leader Arica Carter, Jada Matthews and Tania Lamb. As usual, Poly relies on speed, depth and defense.

2. Mater Dei (Santa Ana)
2012-13 finish: 30-2, Southern California Open finalist
Head coach: Kevin Kiernan

Since Kiernan arrived in 2007, the Monarchs have won at least 30 games every year, won three state titles and two mythical national crowns. With the nation's top junior in Katie Lou Samuelson (6-3) and superb supporting cast, including Top 20 2016 recruit Neah Odom, a national crown is still the aim and a legitimate possibility.

3. Windward (Los Angeles)
2012-13 finish: 32-1, Southern California Open champion
Head coach: Vanessa Nygaard

With the return of arguably the nation's top point guard Jordin Canada and inside presence of 5-star recruit and 6-1 post Kristen Simon, the Wildcats will challenge for another state title. Navigating through the ultra tough Southern California playoffs will be their biggest challenge.

4. St. Mary's (Stockton)
2012-13 finish: 32-3, Sac-Joaquin Section champion
Head coach: Tom Gonsalves

Under Gonsalves high-pressure, 3-point-shooting system, the Rams have won at least 28 games in seven of the last eight seasons and taken three state titles. He has another stellar group to work with led by junior point guard Brijanee Moore, sophomore guard Kat Tudor and senior forward Charise Holloway.

5. Saint Mary's (Albany)
2012-13 finish: 30-5, North Coast Section champion
Head coach: Nathan Fripp

Led by two of the top 15 seniors in the country, 6-1 guards Gabby Green and Mikayla Cowling, the Panthers will always be one of the best and most exciting teams to watch. Both Green, who plays the point, and Cowling are headed to Cal.