MaxPreps 2016-17 CIF Southern Section preseason high school girls basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Emily Herrings highlights
See the Ventura High star in action.


Note: Long Beach Poly and Brea Olinda are ranked among the Top 5 California teams overall and not eligible for this ranking.

1. Ventura
Head coach: Ann Larson
2015-16 record: 23-10

The Cougars return their top five scorers from last season, including Aubrey Knight (14.6 points per game) and Svannah Page (10.4). Knight, a 6-foot-1 senior, also was the team's top rebounder at 8.5 per game. She was the Southern Section Division 1AA Player of the Year. Page is a 5-8 guard. Barbara Rangel, listed as a 6-2 junior on last year's team, was also first-team All-Southern Section after averaging 13.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.

See the MaxPreps California girls basketball computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard

2. Mater Dei (Santa Ana)
Head coach: Kevin Kiernan
2015-16 record: 27-6

It's hard to imagine winning 27 games and it considered a rebuilding year, but that's what the Monarchs were last season. On a 17-person roster, only four were seniors. Mater Dei, winner of three state titles starting in 2009-10 under Kiernan, return among others second-leading scorer Jayda Adams (11.2) and a trio of juniors who played plenty as sophomores: Nicole Freeman, Emma Torbert and Sarah Rahon.

See the MaxPreps California girls basketball stat leaders

3. Chaminade (West Hills)
Head coach: Kelli Di Muro
2015-16 record: 31-4

The Eagle graduated probably the most talented duo in the country last season, Leaonna Odom and Southern Section Open Division Player of the Year Valerie Higgins. They led Chaminade to a state Open title and No. 9 national ranking. The Eagles do return 6-foot wing Isabel Newman, who has signed a letter of intent to the University of Pacific.

See the MaxPreps California girls basketball photos

4. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth)
Head coach: Alicia Komaki
2015-16 record: 23-8 Komaki has proved to be one of the top coaches in the state with 103 wins over her four-year stint with the Trailblazers, including a state title in 2013-14. The Trailblazers will be led this season by one of the state's best, 5-9 senior Alexis Griggsby, who averaged 17.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.

See the MaxPreps California girls basketball playoff brackets

5. Harvard-Westlake (Studio City)
Head coach: Melissa Hearlihy
2015-16 record: 21-11

The Wolverines return leading scorer and rebounder Jayla Ruffus-Milner, a 5-11 junior who averaged 14.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Her twin Jayda Ruffus-milner is another top returner along with Sydney Tsutsui.