Way Too Early Class 5 Teams to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(The Prep Girls Hoops Top 250 Showcase will be held on September 23 and the Freshman Showcase will be held on October 7. Both events will be held at Principia. Be sure to enter AustinHoops2023 in the coupon code to receive a discount on your registration).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are less than three months away from the high school season, but it's never too early to take a look at the upcoming season. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With that in mind, here is a Way Too Early look at some of the top Class 5 Teams. Since we came out in early September, many things can change from change in class, transfers and other circumstances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":722438,"width":208,"height":156,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/07/IMG_9998.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-722438" style="width:208px;height:156px" width="208" height="156" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lutheran St. Charles: The Cougars finished with 27-5 record and the state championship last season. They return a strong nucleus led by 6'2" 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='302779' first='Jordan' last='Speiser'], who is one of the top prospects in the state. They also return versatile 6'0" guard [player_tooltip player_id='509639' first='Chloe' last='Reed'] and the talented 2026 duo of forward [player_tooltip player_id='409880' first='Kennedy' last='Stowers'] and 5'5" guard [player_tooltip player_id='493462' first='Kyrii' last='Franklin'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":721315,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/07/IMG_0006.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-721315" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cape Notre Dame: The Bulldogs made a strong run to the Final Four last season and a 23-7 record. They return a terrific 2026 trio in twin guards Katie and [player_tooltip player_id='317351' first='Brie' last='Rubel'] and forward [player_tooltip player_id='317348' first='Nevaeh' last='Lucious']. Katie Rubel is a 6'1" lefty guard while Brie is a 5'9" point guard. Both can handle and shoot the ball from 3-point range. Lucious is a 6'2" forward who has received several Division I offers during the summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":620597,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/03/79B185C4-CB9D-4D5B-BCC3-B11B26BD1184.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-620597" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carl Junction: The Bulldogs. finished with a 30-2 record and advanced all the way to the state championship game. They return one of the state's top frontcourt players in 6'3" 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='255532' first='Kylie' last='Scott'], who is a versatile post player who can play inside and outside. Also back is 5'9" 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='634610' first='Dezi' last='Williams'], who is a good athlete who fills several roles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":676917,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/06/IMG_2856.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-676917" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Helias: The Crusaders won 21 games and played for a district championship last season. They return a strong group, led by 6'1" forward [player_tooltip player_id='194413' first='Adalyn' last='Koelling'], who has committed to xx. Also back are 5'9" 2024 guard [player_tooltip player_id='645232' first='Claire' last='Galbraith'], 5'6" 2025 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='303292' first='Kenadi' last='Harrison'] and 5'10" 2024 forward Ava Morris.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":718661,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/07/IMG_6496.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-718661" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>John Burroughs: The Bombers followed up their state championship in 2022 with a berth in the state quarterfinals last season. They return outstanding 5'9" 2024 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='202412' first='Allie' last='Turner'], who has committed to Gonzaga. Also back are a crew of Division I prospects in 5'8" 2024 guard Monet Witherspoon, 5'10" 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='302781' first='BreAunna' last='Ward'] and 6'4" 2026 forward [player_tooltip player_id='351820' first='Moriyah' last='Douglass'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":753771,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/09/IMG_0572.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-753771" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marshfield: The Bluejays return a solid group of players from last year's 22-6 season, led by 5'11" 2024 forward [player_tooltip player_id='255499' first='Lauren' last='Luebbert'], who has committed to Washburn. Also returning is 2024 guard [player_tooltip player_id='255500' first='Abby' last='McBride'], who joined Luebbert on the All-District team last season. Talented 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='722134' first='Quinn' last='Aldridge'] is also back after enjoying a strong freshman campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>********</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":636890,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/04/IMG_9842.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-636890" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rolla: The Bulldogs won 23 games and played for a district championship last season. They return some good talent from that team, led by 5'10" 2024 guard [player_tooltip player_id='194527' first='Willow' last='Gideon'], who has just committed to Washburn. Also back are 5'82024 [player_tooltip player_id='644562' first='Resa' last='Martin'], who joined Gideon on the All-District team last season. Guard [player_tooltip player_id='194417' first='Kori' last='Alcorn'] is a talented 2024 who is also in the fold.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":584483,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/01/F2346E49-C210-451C-A6EC-9087040B1D2D.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-584483" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Union: The Wildcats return a talented group of players from a team that won 22 games last season. The top returning player is 5'9" 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='627258' first='Sophia' last='Helling'], an All-State selection who averaged 17 points a game last season. Also back are 5'5" 2024 guard Kelsey Drake and 5'5" 2024 guard Mya Minor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":608572,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/03/544E32D5-744B-4FDD-A4D6-1049F972E2F3.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-608572" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Plains: The Lady Zizzers have made three consecutive trips to the Final Four and they look to have another strong unit this season. They are led by 6'1" 2024 forward Allyssa Joyner, who can score inside and knock down 3-pointers. Also back is 5'8" 2024 point guard Olivia Lawson and moving into the mix will be 5'8" 2026 guard [player_tooltip player_id='722140' first='Lucy' last='Hafer'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->