
Madeline Holland (15) hopes to block out competition and lead Mitty to another state title.
Photo by Ralph Thompson
2015-16 Central Coast Section Preseason Girls Basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard 1. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose)Head coach: Sue Phillips
2014-15 record: 25-6
The defending CIF Division II state champions return their top three scorers in juniors
Heleyna Hill (12.8) and
Madeline Holland (11.2) and senior
Jahny Anderson (9.1). Phillips, a USA Basketball coach, is one of the state's most respected coaches. She's helped Mitty win six state titles.
See last season's Central Coast Section computer rankings
2. Pinewood (Los Altos Hills)Head coach: Doc Scheppler
2014-15 record: 24-4
The Panthers, led by one of the state's top freshmen in
Stella Kailahi, likely would have won their seventh state title last year from their enrollment-based Division V. But Pinewood moved all the way to the Open Division, where it lost a tough 57-52 road overtime game to eventual NorCal champion Miramonte (Orinda). The team returns four-year starter
Chloe Eackles and 5-7 junior
Akayla Hackson.
See Central Coast Section girls basketball pro photo galleries
3. Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco)Head coach: LyRyan Russell
2
014-15 record: 18-11
Don't be fooled by the record. The Irish played one of the toughest schedules in the state. They lost a couple key seniors, but return one of the top juniors in the state in
Iimari'i Thomas, a 6-1 forward who averaged 16.7 points per game. She should score close to 20 this season.
See last season's Central Coast Section girls basketball playoff brackets 4. Palo AltoHead coach: Scott Peters
2014-15 record: 22-5
The Vikings didn't have a senior on their 10-person roster last season and only three juniors. A balanced squad with a different leading scorer every night, junior
Lauren Koyama (10.8 ppg) led the way followed by
Alexis Harris (8.1 ppg), a 6-3 post, and 5-10 forward
Coco Lovely (7.9).
See last season's Central Coast Section girls basketball stat leaders5. Valley Christian (San Jose)Head coach: Chris McSwain
2014-15 record: 14-14
Another deceiving record out of the West Catholic Athletic League, the Warriors bring back two of the CCS's most talented players in juniors
Caitlin Keding, a 5-11 forward, and
Kyanna Davis, a 5-9 guard.