Video: Rio Rancho Rams vs. Albuquerque Bulldogs
See last-year game highlights from two of the teams in this year's Fab 5.MaxPreps 2016-17 New Mexico preseason high school boys basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Rio Rancho2015-16 record: 19-12
Head coach: Wally Salata
Last year the 11th-seeded Rams caught everybody by surprise with a late-season winning streak that resulted in a Class 6A state championship. With five returning starters, they won't catch anybody by surprise this time around. The leader again will be 6-foot senior point guard
Clay Patterson, who averaged 20.5 points, 3.3 assists and 1.8 steals while being named the Gatorade State Player of the Year. Senior shooting guard
Juan Hurt (5-10) averaged 14.2 points, 2.4 steals and 2.3 assists. Another key returnee is 6-4 senior
Jeremy Snider, who averaged 7.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists.
See the MaxPreps New Mexico boys basketball computer rankings, presented by the Army National Guard2. Cleveland (Rio Rancho)2015-16 record: 23-8
Head coach: Sean Jimenez
New coach Sean Jimenez has inherited a strong team with quickness, athleticism and four returning starters, and could give city rival Rio Rancho a good run for the Class 6A state title. Key veterans returning from a team that lost in the state semifinals are 6-2 senior guard
Marcus Hill (the returning leading scorer), 6-0 junior point guard
Jayden Phillips, 6-4 senior forward
Marquise Hill and 6-4 senior
Adam Cook, the top returning rebounder who also plays football.
Jalen Munn, a 6-1 sophomore, and 6-6 Red Oak (Texas) senior transfer
Tyrique Weaver also will add strength.
See the MaxPreps New Mexico boys basketball stat leaders3. Cibola (Albuquerque)2015-16 record: 23-6
Head coach: Ray Rodriguez
Isaac Brito, Cibola
File photo by Jesse Bartlett
Four starters - two of them double-figure scorers - will lead the Cougars this year. Pacing a strong backcourt are 6-2 senior
Desmond Carpenter, who averaged 13 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists, and 6-2 junior
Cameron Dixon, who averaged 12 points and 5.0 rebounds. The other two returnees are 6-2 senior swingman
Zack Baca, who averaged 6.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals and is a standout defensive player, and 5-10 senior
Isaac Brito, who averaged 6.0 points and 3.0 assists.
See the MaxPreps New Mexico boys basketball photos4. Carlsbad2015-16 record: 24-8
Head coach: Jamaal Brown
The Class 6A state runner-up Cavemen return just two starters, but they have good size and are ready to make another title run. The centerpiece is 6-9, 230-pound
Brenden Boatwright, who averaged 16 points and 10.3 rebounds and will attend Fort Lewis College next year. He is joined up front by 6-5 senior
Chris Johnson, who averaged 9.6 points and 8.1 rebounds. Other possible starters, all seniors, are 6-0
Gage Shoup and 6-0
Matthew Rendon Jr.
See the MaxPreps New Mexico boys basketball playoff brackets5. Albuquerque2015-16 record: 18-9
Head coach: Ron Garcia
The Bulldogs return three starters and have good size. Junior
Marlon Cunningham, who is just under 6-8 and weighs 250 pounds, finally will get to start after sitting out his sophomore year due to transfer rules. The starters from last year are 5-11 senior
Lorenzo Cantoja, who averaged 5.4 points and 2.4 assists; 5-11 junior
Randy Castillo, who averaged 9.2 points and 3.1 assists, and 6-4 junior
Silas Cole, who averaged 4.9 points and 6.7 rebounds.