
Sydney Zambrotta, Christ the King
Photo by Steven Ryan
2015-16 New York Preseason Girls Basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Christ the King (Middle Village)
Head coach: Bob Mackey
2014-15 record: 21-8
Strong guard play should once again fuel the Royals.
Sydney Zambrotta, a quicksilver 5-foot-9 combo guard, is bound for Louisville. The lefty is a strong ballhandler who sees the floor extremely well. Another senior who can swing between the 1 and 2 spots, 5-10
Dominique Toussaint, has committed to Virginia. She is adept in transition, strong off the dribble and a consistent jump shooter. But wait, as they say in those infomercials, there's more.
Kaela Kender, a talented 5-11 wing, will be taking her talents to Virginia Tech. There's also plenty of developing talent, led by 6-1 sophomore forward
Emily Engstler.
See last season's New York girls basketball computer rankings
2. Ossining
Head coach: Dan Ricci
2014-15 record: 23-3
An unprecedented fourth-straight Class AA state title looks well within reach for an Ossining team that will be sparked by a strong group of seniors. Ossining is looking for its sixth-straight title in Section 1 (Westchester, Putnam, Rockland and Dutchess counties). Four-year starter
Shadeen Samuels, a 6-foot wing forward, is a do-it-all player who already has hit the 1,000 career-point mark. She averaged 19 points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals per game in 2014-15.
See New York girls basketball pro photo galleries3. Long Island Lutheran (Brookville)
Head coach: Rich Slater
2014-15 record: 21-4
The reigning New York State Federation Class AA champs were a senior-laden team in 2014-15, but there is still plenty of returning talent, led by sophomore
Emma Cuccurullo.
See last season's New York girls basketball playoff brackets4. Commack
Head coach: Denis Conroy
2014-15 record: 20-2
The Cougars' crop of returning players rivals any program in the Empire State. Seniors
Jaclyn DelliSanti (guard) and
Leanne Corso (forward) headline that group. Junior guard
Jillian Spagnuola is back for her third year on the varsity team and backcourt teammate
Casey Hearns returns after a strong freshman season. Commack also has four junior returnees.
See last season's New York girls basketball stat leaders
5. Bethlehem Central (Delmar)
Head coach: Matthew Bixby
2014-15 record: 20-3
Jenna Giacone, an ultra-skilled 5-11 combo guard and one of the nation's top seniors, is headed to Atlantic 10 champion Dayton. Giacone's sister, Gabby, will not be back for Bethlehem, however. She's now a freshman at Northeastern. But Bethlehem returns junior
Emily Wander, a versatile guard who makes things happen.
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news and sports editor and producer Joe Lombardi is director of media
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