
Autumn Newby, Archer
File photo by Dan Browning
2015-16 Georgia Preseason Girls Basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. St. Francis (Alpharetta)Head coach: Aisha Kennedy
2014-15 record: 27-3
The Knights closed out the 2014-15 season with 14 wins in a row en route to the Class A state title. A pair of all-staters return from that run in
Kasiyahna Kushkituah (6-3, Jr., F/C) and
Nichel Tampa (5-4, Jr., G). Fellow juniors
Taja Cumming (5-3, G) and
Maya Dodson (6-1, F) were also major contributors a year ago, and watch out for sister twin towers
Yasmine (6-4, Sr.) and
Alexis Ratliff (6-3, So.).
See last season's Georgia girls basketball computer rankings2. Holy Innocents Episcopal (Atlanta)Head coach: Tony Watkins
2014-15 record: 31-1
The Golden Bears' only loss a year ago came in the AA state title game and they look primed to take the final step in 2015-16. The top nine scorers are back, headlined by all-state picks
Erika Cassell (6-2, Sr., F) and
Khayla Pointer (5-9, Jr., G).
Kaila Hubbard (5-10, So., G/F) also returns after averaging nearly 10 points per game as a freshman. Holy Innocents is 60-2 over the past two seasons.
See MaxPreps Georgia girls basketball pro photos3. Archer (Lawrenceville)Head coach: Ryan Lesniak
2014-15 record: 26-6
The Tigers had their hearts broken in last year's AAAAAA semifinals, losing by two points to eventual champ McEachern. Seven key contributors are back, including double-figures scorers
Autumn Newby (6-2, Jr., F) and
Linsey Marchese (6-3, Jr., F).
See last season's Georgia girls basketball playoff brackets4. Parkview (Lilburn)Head coach: Kirk Call
2014-15 record: 26-4
The AAAAAA semifinalists lost 6-3 post Victoria Harris to Rutgers but return six players who saw significant action. Included in that bunch is the team's leading scorer in
Raven Johnson (5-10, Sr., F), who posted 15.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game.
See last season's Georgia girls basketball stat leaders5. West Forsyth (Cumming)Head coach: David May
2014-15 record: 22-6
Three schools in Cumming – North, South and West Forsyth – all garnered preseason top five consideration, but we like West for one big reason. Six-foot-5 Maryland commit
Jenna Staiti is the only returning first team all-state pick in AAAAAA after averaging 22.5 points and over 14 rebounds per game as a junior.