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

Video: TOC Girls Basketball - Kickapoo (MO)
See the fun and celebration after last season's title for the Chiefs.


1. Kickapoo (Springfield)
Head coach: Jim Pendergrass
2015-16 record: 29-3

Kickapoo captured the Division 5 championship last year, edging Kirkwood 63-53 in the championship game. Jim Pendergrass earned State Coach of the Year honors for his efforts and he had two players earn All-State honors in senior Laura Vierkant and junior Jordan Sanders. A UC-Irvine commit, Sanders returns after leading Kickapoo in scoring last year with an average of 15.9 points per game.

See the Missouri girls basketball computer rankings, presented by the Army National Guard
2. Belton
Head coach: Brad Batchelder
2015-16 record: 14-14

Belton looks to improve upon last year's record with the return of All-State player Courtnie Lewis. The leading scorer at Belton the past three seasons, Lewis averaged 16 points as a freshman, and 20 points as both a sophomore and junior. Belton returns three starters from a team that advanced to the Class 5 sectionals last season.

See the MaxPreps Missouri girls basketball stat leaders

3. Webster Groves
Head coach: Patti Perkins
2015-16 record: 19-13

Webster Groves reached the second round of the Division 5 state playoffs last year, losing to Howell 56-50. Jaidah Stewart, one of the nation's top junior guards, returns after earning All-State honors as a sophomore. She already has over 1,000 career points after averaging 19.4 points per game as a sophomore. Fellow sophomore KK Rodriguez also returns after averaging 15.5 points per game last year.

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4. Incarnate Word Academy (St. Louis)
Head coach: Dan Rolfes
2015-16 record: 28-5

Incarnate Word Academy reached the semifinals of the Class 4 state tournament last year, falling to MICDS. Senior Abby Hoff earned All-State honors last year, as did sophomore Sonya Morris. Now a junior, Morris was an all-around threat last year averaging 12.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.9 steals. Kiki Britzmann, the team's third-leading scorer last year as a freshman, also returns along with junior forward Nikala (Kay Kay) Jackson-Morris.

See the MaxPreps Missouri girls basketball playoff brackets

5. Strafford
Head coach: Steve Frank
2015-16 record: 29-3

Strafford captured the Class 3 state championship, defeating Saxony Lutheran 50-46 in the championship game. Coach Steve Frank earned State Coach of the Year honors by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association and his daughter Hayley Frank, a freshman, earned All-State honors. Abby Oliver, a junior last year, also earned All-State honors.