Video: Andreal Bass' highlights vs. Wakefield High
See the Millbrook star in action last season.North Carolina preseason girls basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Millbrook (Raleigh)Head coach: Chris East
2015-16 record: 30-2
The Wildcats will aim to repeat as state 4A champions (they also won in 2012 and 2013) coming off a last second stick-back in last spring's final. With a roster including five college-bound seniors, there is plenty of room for optimism. Leading the way is
Kai Crutchfield (5-foot-9, shooting guard committed to NC State and hero of last spring's final victory over Northwest Guilford).
Dazia Powell (5-9, guard, committed to Old Dominion),
Zairya West (5-5, point guard, committed to Norfolk State),
Sis Norman (5-11, forward, committed to Morehead State) and
Andreal Bass (6-0, center, committed to Lenoir Rhyne) round out a veteran lineup. In his 20th season, Chris East will put his Wildcats up against two national powers (Paul VI in Virginia and Riverdale Baptist of Maryland).
See the North Carolina girls basketball computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard2. Southwest Guilford (High Point)Head coach: Nick Scarborough
2015-16 record: 22-10
Southwest was talented but young last year and fans will see if coach Nick Scarborough's Cowgirls have grown up with this extra year under their collective belts. The squad is spearheaded by Division I prospects
Lashonda Monk (5-6, point guard, senior, committed to South Florida),
Lauren Carter (6-0, forward, junior) and
Faith Price (5-8, shooting guard, sophomore). While not traveling out of state, the team will be tested with two regular-season matchups with Northwest Guilford and a November tilt with Riverdale Baptist of Maryland.
See the MaxPreps North Carolina girls basketball stat leaders3. Northwest Guilford (Greensboro)Head coach: Melissa Darlene Joyner
2015-16 record: 30-1
Cayla King, Northwest Guilford
Photo by Carin Goodall-Gosnell
Northwest came within a missed rebound and an opposition stick-back (versus Millbrook) of an undefeated season and its first 4A state title. While the Vikings lost six players to graduation, they have two vital components back who could keep them in the hunt for that elusive title.
Cayla King (5-11, point guard, sophomore) was already a key player as a freshman and
Elizabeth Kitley (6-5, center, sophomore) showed vast improvement in the offseason along with juniors
Bria Gibbs (6-0, power forward) and
Lindsay Gauldin (5-9, guard). For better competition, Melissa Darlene Joyner (15th season) is taking her team to Maryland for "She Got Game" in December to add to the challenge of two regular season meetings with Southwest Guilford and 3A power Northern Guilford.
See the MaxPreps North Carolina girls basketball photos 4. Hillside (Durham)Head coach: Ovester Grays
2015-16 record: 28-2
The Hornets lost only to state 4A champion Millbrook last year and return enough veteran firepower to threaten to capture Hillside's first state 4A title in 2017, having reached nine regional finals and one state final in the last 20 years.
Elisia Grissett (6-2, forward, senior, South Carolina commit) leads the way with
Jakelbi Lewis (5-2, point guard, senior) and
Michaela Thompson (5-8, shooting guard, senior) expected to provide support. A key to success could well be the impact of freshman forward
Faith Blackstone (6-1). In his 21st season, Ovester Grays is putting ample opposition on the schedule, with a trip to the CresCom Bank Holiday Invitational in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and the local Bull City Classic, both in December.
See the MaxPreps North Carolina girls basketball playoff brackets5. Freedom (Morganton)Head coach: Amber Reddick
2015-16 record: 32-0
Freedom ran the table in 3A in 2016 and with a couple Division I-committed seniors returning, should be in the hunt to repeat in North Carolina's second-largest class.
Ariyana Williams (5-9, guard, committed to East Carolina) and
Amaryah Corpening (5-7, point guard, committed to UNC Asheville) lead the way. Additional support is expected from
Charmee Miller (5-11, forward, junior) and
CC Davenport (5-10, post, 2019). In her 13th season, Amber Reddick's Patriots will play host to the Freedom Christmas Tournament, which should provide them some additional opposition to help prepare for another postseason run.
