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

xx Video: Lizzy Bazelak's highlights vs. Lakota West
See the Archbishop Alter star in action last season.


1. Reynoldsburg
Head Coach: Jack Purtell
2015-16 record: 23-6, OHSAA D-I state semifinalist

The Raiders are coming off the program’s third state tournament (all since 2010) and are under the guidance of one of Ohio’s best mentors. Purtell has a 266-82 record in 14 years and the team averaged 58 points per game last year.

All five starters return from last year’s team that lost 58-48 to Wadsworth in the final four.  Senior guard Brooklyn Pannell (11 ppg) returns as does classmate and wing Hannah Gaskins (7.9 ppg). A trio of key juniors – guard Adrian Crockwell (11.8 ppg), guard Mackenzie Davis (3.8 ppg) and post Jalynda Salley (11.8 ppg) – solidifies the lineup.

See the Ohio girls basketball computer rankings, presented by the Army National Guard

2. Solon
Head coach: Trish Kruse
2015-16 record: 19-9, OHSAA D-I state semifinalist

The Comets are looking to make their third-straight state tournament and have plenty of reason for optimism. Kruse (132-45 in seven years) returns all five starters from last year's final four team.

Headlining the roster are senior guards Dee Bekelja and Alexis Stover. Bekelja, a DePaul commit, averaged 17.4 ppg last year, while Stover, who is committed to Ohio University, averaged 12.4.

The junior trio of 6-2 post Valencia Myers, point guard Mariah Modkins and guard Gabby Mitchell each averaged between 5.6-6.7 ppg last year.

See the MaxPreps Ohio girls basketball stat leaders

3. Archbishop Alter (Kettering)
Head coaches: Chris Hart and Kendal Peck
2015-16 record: 28-2, D-II OHSAA state champions The Knights have been to the state tournament six times in the last nine years and are looking for their fourth-straight regional title and second state title in three years. Hart, who shares head coaching duties with Peck, won her 400th game last season and enters this year with 403 victories.  

Alter owns two of the state’s top guards in seniors Braxtin Miller (Oklahoma state commit) and Libby Bazelak (Duquesne). Miller, the reigning Greater Catholic League North Division Player of the Year, averaged 17 ppg last year, while Bazelak, first team All-League, chipped in 14.6. Bazelak also ranked among the GCL’s top five in assists (4.1) and rebounds (7.6).

The Knights' average margin of victory last year was 24 points.

See the MaxPreps Ohio girls basketball photos

4. Gilmour Academy (Gates Mills)
Head coach: Bob Beutel
2015-16 record: 23-6, OHSAA D-III state semifinalist

The Lancers made their state tournament debut last year and are looking for a return trip. Beutel carries a 209-62 record into his 12th season. The tandem of junior post Naz Hillmon (6-2) and senior guard Emily Kelley is a good one. Hillmon averaged 17.7 points, 15.6 rebounds and 3.1 blocks last season. Kelley, who is committed to Winthrop, averaged 17.5 points. Gilmour also returns two other senior starters in guard Grace Mullen and forward Sydney Diedrich.

The Lancers caught national attention last year after outscoring their first round OHSAA postseason opponent Clevland Northeast Ohio College Prep, 108-1.

See the MaxPreps Ohio girls basketball playoff brackets

5. Africentric Early College (Columbus)
Head coach: Will McKinney
2015-16 record: 24-5, OHSAA D-III state champion

The Nubians won their fifth state title (all since 2007) last year and appear ready to defend the championship.

The senior trio of guard Kynnedy Azubike (Akron commit), guard Dejae Denhem (Ohio) and guard Leah Morrow (St. Francis, Pa.) are all head to NCAA D-I colleges. Point guard Jordan Horston (11 points, seven rebounds, five steals and three assists in last year’s state final) is one of the country’s top sophomore prospects. She averaged 14.5 ppg last year. McKinney is 275-58 in 13 years.