MaxPreps 2016-17 Illinois preseason girls basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

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1. Montini (Lombard)
2015-16 record: 31-3
Head coach: Jason Nichols

The Broncos are loaded with college-ready talent and seasoned after a trip to the Class 4A super-sectionals, where they lost to Trinity. Montini looks to capitalize this season on the dynamic front court duo 6-foot-5 junior center Lindsey Jarosinski and 6-3 lefty Aaliyah Patty Both are getting serious looks from Division I schools and should fuel the Broncos again this season. Zoe Zacker, a 5-10 sophomore, can run the floor or lead the break and is a more-than-capable defender.

See the Illinois girls basketball computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard

2. Benet Academy (Lisle)
2015-16 record: 31-3
Head coach: Peter Paul

The Redwings might have lost Nebraska-bound Kathleen Doyle from a Class 4A championship team, but waiting to fill those shoes is Kendall Schramek. The 5-11 senior forward, whose sister Emily also led Benet to a title, has the ability to handle the ball as a forward and shoot from all over the floor. In addition to Schramek, Katherine Jaseckas, a 6-1 senior center, also played a big role for the Redwings last season, scoring 12 and adding 10 rebounds in the championship victory.

See the MaxPreps Illinois girls basketball stat leaders

3. Fremd (Palatine)
2015-16 record: 30-3
Head coach: Dave Yates

The Vikings lose a bit from last year's 4A runner-up team with Bryana Hopkins, Erin Lenahan and Julia Wacker all graduating. But Fremd, which has been runner-up the past two seasons, will be led by 6-2 senior forward Grace Tworek. The Harvard verbal commit averaged six points per game on a senior-heavy team and went for 13 and 10 in the finals loss to Benet. Midori Williams, a 5-8 senior who can play both the 3 or 4, looks to be a factor for the Vikings.

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4. Morton
2015-16 record: 33-3
Head coach: Bob Becker

The Potters not only repeated as Class 3A champions, but did it with then-junior Brandi Bisping stepping into a major leadership role midway through the year. When senior leader Chandler Ryan went down with an ACL injury, Bisping stepped in and averaged 14.9 points per game and eight boards per contest. Bisping has offers from Illinois State and Lafayette, but the senior also plays volleyball.

See the MaxPreps Illinois girls basketball playoff brackets

5. Trinity (River Forest)
2015-16 record: Mike Valente
Head coach: 29-5 Even through a controversial 2015-16 season, the Blazers made it to the 4A semifinals before losing to eventual champion Benet. Trinity loses Annie McKenna and Kaitlyn Alward, but a quartet of experienced players should be ready to fill that void. Alexandria Fanning, a 6-2 junior center, had 15 points in 15 minutes in the loss to Benet, while Alisa Fallon had a double-double of 10 and 10 in the third-place game against Whitney Young. Fallon, a 5-10 junior, is complemented with 5-10 junior Lauren Lee and 5-9 junior guard Daliyah Brown.