
Olathe South (in blue) and Wichita South (white) met in the 2014 6A playoffs.
File photo by Norman Tackett
2015-16 Kansas Preseason Girls Basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. South (Wichita)Head coach: Antwain Scales
2014-15 record: 23-2, three-time defending Class 6A state champion
Up until 2013, Wichita South wasn't one of those history-rich programs that were automatically plugged in at the top of the preseason rankings or in the winner's circle of a state tournament bracket. But Scales has turned the Titans into a 6A juggernaut. Back for the three-time Kansas big school champions are seniors
Kendrian Elliott and
Ericka Mattingly and junior
Kayla Callins.
See last season's Kansas girls basketball computer rankings2. South (Olathe)Head coach: Steve Ingram
2014-15 record: 19-4, lost to Topeka Washburn Rural 52-43 in Class 6A quarterfinals
The Falcons came up short a year ago in their quest to win the school's first state title since conquering the Class 6A field in 2010. Ingram, however, has most of his pieces back from last season's state quarterfinal team. Leading the charge in 2015-16 are senior honorable mention all-state shooting guard
Kacey Kennett and junior power forward
Dejanae Roebuck, who also earned honorable mention all-state honors.
See MaxPreps Kansas girls basketball pro photos3. Bishop Miege (Shawnee Mission)Head coach: Terry English
2014-15 record: 25-0, two-time defending Class 4A Division I state champion
English may have lost 2015 Eastern Kansas League Player of the Year Madeline Homoly and her 17 points and 10 rebounds to the University of South Dakota. But he does return a solid nucleus in
Tristen McFeders,
Shelbe Piggie,
Hunter Bentley and
Lakesha Lamaster-Stephens. The Stags simply win championships, and own the last two Class 4A Division I titles and 18 total championships to date.
See last season's Kansas girls basketball playoff brackets4. Aquinas (Overland Park)Head coach: Rick Hetzel
2014-15 record: 21-4, lost to Kapaun Mount Carmel 44-43 (OT) in Class 5A consolation championship
With the talent he returns, Hetzel is hoping to add a fifth girls state basketball championship trophy to an already heaping trophy case in 2015-16. Claire Ferguson may be off playing Big 12 basketball in Raegan Pebley's Texas Christian program. But back to help the Saints achieve greatness are
Sereena Weledji,
Rhyann Fisher,
Nicole Corrigan and
Allison Koster.
See last season's Kansas girls basketball stat leaders5. HesstonHead coach: Matt Richardson
2014-15 record: 26-0, two-time defending Class 3A state champion
The Swathers have been dominating the 3A basketball scene for some time now, winning the last two state championships, and now find themselves in the middle of a 41-game winning streak. While Richardson did lose four seniors that were crucial in winning the last two titles, he does return plenty of talent including
Cami Richardson,
Katelyn Hageman and
Kailey jo Ince.