
Abbey Hoff, Incarnate Word Academy
Photo by Randy Kemp
2015-16 Missouri Preseason Girls Basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Incarnate Word Academy (St. Louis)Head coach: Dan Rolfes
2014-15 record: 29-2, three-time defending Class 4 state champion
Rolfes may have lost Napheesa Collier and her 27 points per game to the University of Connecticut following last year's third-straight state championship run. But he returns everybody else from a team that lost two of its first three games to non-Missouri opponents before winning 28 straight to close out the year. The Red Knights, who finished 47th in MaxPreps Computer Rankings presented by the Army National Guard a year ago, will be led by returning all-state guard
Abbey Hoff.
See last season's Missouri girls basketball computer rankings2. Rock Bridge (Columbia)Head coach: Jill Nagel
2014-15 record: 24-7, four-time defending Class 5 champion
Almost two-thirds of Rock Bridge's scoring walked off the court with the graduation exits of all-district players Sophie Cunningham, Cierra Porter and Carly Offerdahl. But Nagel, who has guided the Bruins to four straight titles, does return all-district performer
Madison Treece as well as
Bri Ellis,
Payton McCallister,
Katey Klucking and
Avery Schroeder.
See MaxPreps Missouri girls basketball pro photos3. LibertyHead coach: Noah Simpson
2014-15 record: 27-4, defending Class 5 runner-up
After falling short in Missouri's big school state championship game a year ago, the Bluejays are in prime position to reach new heights in 2015-16. Simpson returns 10 of his top 13 players from a year ago and four of his five starters. Three-time all-conference and all-district performer
Morgan Fleming averaged 15.6 points a game last season and has already scored 1,000 points in her career.
See last season's Missouri girls basketball playoff brackets4. Parkway North (St. Louis)Head coach: Brett Katz
2014-15 finish: 25-6, defending Class 5 consolation champion
After nearly playing its way into the Show-Me State's big school state championship game a year ago, several St. Louis-area coaches are sitting up and taking notice of Parkway North. We have taken notice here at MaxPreps as well. The Vikings return double-digit scorers
Alecia Sutton (16.1) and
Amaya Stovall (10.0).
See last season's Missouri girls basketball stat leaders5. CraneHead coach: Jeremy Mullins
2014-15 finish: 30-2, three-time defending Class 2 champion
Wins over Jefferson City, Kickapoo and White Station (Tenn.) a year ago leave little doubt that Crane is one of the better teams in the Show-Me State regardless of classification. We believe they will be one of the top five squads in the state of Missouri in 2015-16 as well.
Emma Lander has already scored 1,000 points in her career.
Madison Fulp and
Justeen Mahan will return as well.