MaxPreps 2013-14 Missouri preseason girls basketball Fab 5

Click here to see the girls basketball preseason Fab 5 from every state

1. Incarnate Word Academy (St. Louis)
Head Coach: Dan Rolfes
2012-13 finish: 31-0, Defending Class 4 State Champion

Rolfes' toughest challenge may be trying to find a spot on the court for each of the six Division I players he has on his 2013-14 roster. Returning starters Nakiah Bell (Iowa State), McKenna Treece (Kansas State), Gwen Adams (Southern Illinois-Edwardsville) and Napheesa Collier (choosing between UConn, Notre Dame, Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri) will take over where they left off a year ago. The fifth starting position will be filled by either 6-4 sophomore Abbey Hoff or 6-4 freshman Madison Treece.

2. Rock Bridge (Columbia)
Head Coach: Jill Nagel
2012-13 finish: 25-5, Defending Class 5 State Champion

In most seasons this loaded squad would easily get the nod as the state’s No. 1, especially with ten letterwinners returning for ninth-year coach Jill Nagel, who owns a 191-36 record during that time span. Returning starters Sophie Cunningham (6-1 Jr.), Chayla Cheadle (5-11 Sr.), Cierra Porter (6-4 Jr.) and Audrey Holt (6-1 Sr.) produced about 40 points per outing a year ago. Bri Ellis (6-2 Sr.) returns after missing last season with an injury.

3. Blue Springs
Head Coach: Mark Spigarelli
2012-13 finish: 29-3, defeated Cor Jesu Academy 45-13 in Class 5 consolation game

For most basketball programs, losing 75 percent of their scoring from a State Basketball ‘Final 4’ may prove disastrous. But Spigarelli has guided the Wildcats to five straight Class 5 Show-Me Showdowns (Missouri Class 5 semifinals) and is used to reloading. Before last season’s third place finish, Blue Springs brought home the runner-up trophy in each of the four previous seasons. Utilizing the talents of returnees Morgan McMahan, Symphony Davis, Morgan Hensley and Aliyah Lee is a good place for Spigarelli to start.

4. Kearney
Head Coach: Troy Resler
2012-13 finish: 25-3, lost to Blue Springs 49-37 in the Class 5 quarterfinals

In each of the last two seasons Kearney fell victim to Blue Springs, and its history, early in the postseason. But Resler has oodles of talent returning and should make a deeper run into the Missouri Class 5 playoffs. Taylor Doan (6-4, Jr.), who has committed to Alabama, returns after scoring 11 points, pulling down seven rebounds and swatting three enemy shots a contest a year ago. Sharp shooter Meagan Paul (5-9, Sr.) earned first team all-district and conference honors a year ago after knocking down 68 three-pointers and averaging nine points an outing. Resler will also rely on the experience and talents of Jessi Hartzler (5-8, Sr.), Laura Barrow (5-9, Sr.), Chandler Gallagher (5-11, Sr.) and Allie Hess (5-11, Sr.).

5. Lutheran (St. Peters)
Head Coach: Erin Pauk
2012-13 finish: 28-4, Defending Class 3 State Champion

Before last season’s championship run, Lutheran netted a third place finish in 2003 and claimed the runner-up trophy in 2005. Cougar Coach Erin Pauk played on the 2003 team before working last year’s magic. Gone from Pauk’s 2012-13 roster is all-state honoree Lauren Orr. But Jessica Skerston and Hannah Leppien return after tallying 77 points collectively in a pair of contests at the 2013 Missouri Class 3 Show-Me Showdown. Sophomore Savannah Kluesner, senior Nicole Masters and senior Carley Vondeylen return as well.