1. Hamilton (Chandler)
Head coach: Trevor Neider
2014-15: 23-9

The Huskies return four of the top five scorers from last season, when they went 23-9 before losing in the quarterfinals to eventual champion Dobson. The team has a new coach in Neider, who averaged 22.6 wins a year for five seasons before dropping off last year at Mountain Pointe. The talent and his leadership has most thinking a Division I state championship is in the offing.

See last season's Arizona girls basketball computer rankings

2. Mesquite (Gilbert)
Head coach: Candice Gonzales
2014-15 record: 21-11

The Wildcats bring back every player other than an end-of-the-bench senior. If youth prevails, Mesquite will be there at the end, as sophomores Lindsey Vanallen and Shaylee Gonzales, who combined to average 30.6 points, 10.8 rebounds and 5.2 points as freshmen. Their growth along with seniors Isabelle Spruit and Alexis Springfield have Mesquite as one of the D-I favorites.

See Arizona girls basketball pro photo galleries

3. Seton Catholic (Chandler)
Head coach: Karen Self
2014-15 record: 29-6

A surprise defeat in the Division II finals has the Sentinels on high alert this year. Self is one of the state's all-time winningest coaches and she has the top five scorers - led by sophomore Sarah Barcello and the Wirth sisters Jenn Wirth and LeeAnne Wirth - back to work with on winning another state title with seven already on the books.

See last season's Arizona girls basketball playoff brackets

4. Gilbert
Head coach: Kyle Pedersen
2014-15 record: 13-15

The Tigers played without a senior on the roster so the natural progression should push Gilbert into a top team under new coach Kyle Pedersen. Tess Kowalski and Lucy Guerrette were the top scorers along with captains Leah Strittmatter and Mikaela Tampellini.

See last season's Arizona girls basketball stat leaders

5. Millennium (Goodyear)
Head coach: Courtland Rojeck
2014-15 record: 28-5

The Division I runner-up lost the core of its lineup but leader Raina Perez, a senior guard, will have the Tigers in contention. Rojeck's system has produced an increase in victories for six straight seasons. Getting close to 30 this year will be difficult, but Millennium will definitely be in contention all year.

Jason P. Skoda, a former Arizona Republic sports writer and current Prep Sports Director for 1013 Communications, is a 20-year sports writing veteran. Contact him at jskoda1024@aol.com.