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

Video: St. Mary's wins Nike TOC
See how the Rams fared last season in one of the nation's premier tournaments.


1. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose)
Head coach: Sue Phillips
2015-16 record: 23-4

Ranked ninth nationally last season, the Monarchs return just about everyone, including one of the nation's top sophomores in Haley Jones (10.0 ppg). They also return their top two scorers, Madeline Holland (10.8 ppg) and Tahlia Garza (10.3) along with Heleyna Hill (9.0) and Karisma Ortiz (7.1). Mitty is going after its seventh state crown.

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

2. Long Beach Poly
Head coach: Carl Buggs
2015-16 record: 27-5

Buggs, who has led the Jackrabbits to six state titles, has another deep and talented juggernaut, led by the return of his top three scorers, Jasmine Jones (13.6 ppg), Ayanna Clark (13.4) and Danae Miller (10.1). Buggs is outstanding at using his entire bench and he figures to have another long one.

See the MaxPreps California girls basketball stat leaders

3. Clovis West (Fresno)
Head coach: Craig Campbell
2015-16 record: 30-4

The Golden Eagles return their top four scorers from last season, all who are seniors this season, including 6-1 wing Megan Anderson (13.0 ppg) and 5-9 guard Sarah Bates (12.9 ppg).

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4. Brea Olinda (Brea)
Head coach: Jeff Sink
2015-16 record: 29-4 The Wildcats won a record 10th state crown with a 64-51 Division I win over St. Francis (Sacramento) last season. With so much talent returning, including super junior Tyiona Watkins, Brea-Olinda might move up to the Open Division.

See the MaxPreps California girls basketball playoff brackets

5. St. Mary's (Stockton)
Head coach: Tom Gonsalves
2015-16 record: 28-1

The Rams will be loaded again, led by one of the top juniors in the country. Aquira DeCosta is a 6-foot-2 wing who averaged 15.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.2 steals a game on a balanced squad. Other top players include Naje' Murray (12.9 ppg) and Ariel Johnson (8.0). Murray tore her ACL over the summer, will help the team immensely as a leader but may not play this season. Gonsalves has guided St. Mary's to eight state championships.

Rankings updated Nov. 5