2015-16 Mississippi Preseason Girls Basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Olive BranchHead coach: Blake Jones
2014-15 record: 32-2
The Conquistadors lost to Horn Lake in the 6A title game for the second-consecutive year, and Jones will have his team ready to contend once again in 2015-16.
Myah Taylor, a 5-foot-7 all-state guard, was sensational last season as a sophomore, averaging 18 points, eight assists and five steals per game. She'll lead the charge in what they hope is a title season.
See last season's Mississippi girls basketball computer rankings2. Horn LakeHead coach: Janna Thompson
2014-15 record: 29-4
The
Eagles won their second-straight 6A title by beating Olive Branch, led
by Alexyse Thomas' 17 points and nine boards. Thompson will have a tall
task in replacing the production of Thomas and fellow all-state
selection Rodneyshia Martin, but
Tae'Lour Richardson — who scored 11 in
the title game — will likely step up.
See last season's Mississippi girls basketball playoff brackets3. NatchezHead coach: Alphaka Moore
2014-15 record: 24-1
Natchez took home a second-consecutive 5A title last season with a 74-66 win over West Jones after trailing by 13 in the first quarter. The Bulldogs are back in a big way this season, with all-state guard
Zyaire Ewing looking to improve on a junior season in which she averaged 12.8 points and six rebounds per game.
See last season's Mississippi girls basketball stat leaders4. Callaway (Jackson)Head coach: Stacey Bailey
2014-15 record: 21-6
Callaway may be known for its boys program, but overlooking the Chargers would be a mistake. Bailey's squad lost to West Jones in the 5A semifinals, but returning all-state forward
Twila Hill will likely improve on her averages of 17.1 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game, making Callaway a formidable opponent.
5. HattiesburgHead coach: Caronica DeBose Jackson
2014-15 record: 26-3
The Tigers saw a late lead evaporate in a devastating loss to
Starkville in the 6A quarterfinals, making them even hungrier this
season. Coach Jackson loses all-stater Jazmin Boyd, but returns an
experienced squad ready to prove that last season's bitter loss was
nothing but a fluke.