Riverside is our pick as Louisiana's top team. Watch out for Peabody, Metairie Park Country Day, St. Thomas More and East Ascension.
Charvon Julien and Riverside are our pick as the top team in Louisiana.
File photo by Jim Redman
MaxPreps 2013-14 Louisiana Boys Basketball Preseason Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard
Click here to see the boys basketball preseason Fab 5 from every state1. Riverside (Reserve)2012-13 record: 27-5, Class 2A state champions
Head coach: Timmy Byrd
It didn't take long for Byrd to re-tool following the Rico Gathers era. The Rebels captured the Class 2A state title last winter with a young backcourt that could put them back on the national radar this season. The headliner is reigning Class 2A Player of the Year
Von Julien, a 6-1 junior guard. Sophomores
Malik Crowfield (6-4) and
Herbert McGee (6-0) were all-state honorable mention picks as freshmen.
2. Peabody (Alexandria)2012-13 record: 29-5
Head coach: Charles Smith
It seems like every year the Warhorses have a senior step up and play like an All-American in leading them to 30-plus wins. This year that player is
Gabriel Jordan, who piled up more than 18 points and 13 rebounds per game last season. Peabody has won 30 or more games in six of the past eight seasons and went 41-0 and was nationally ranked in 2009-10.
3. Metairie Park Country Day2012-13 record: 26-11, Class 1A state champions
Head coach: Mike McGuire
The young Cajuns started 8-8 last season but went 18-3 the rest of the way en route to the 1A title. First team all-state selection
Scott Plaisance Jr., a 6-9 senior, is one of several key contributors back in the fold. Senior
Kent McGuire and sophomore
J.C. Younger each garnered all-state honorable mention honors last winter.
Michael Corchiani played significant minutes as a freshman and
Romin Williams did the same as an eighth-grader.
4. St. Thomas More (Lafayette)2012-13 record: 33-4, Class 4A state champs
Head coach: Danny Broussard
The Cougars experienced a special season a year ago behind the play of 4A most outstanding player
Trey Touchet, a 6-2 guard who has verbally committed to Texas-El Paso. As a junior, Touchet posted 20.3 points per game to go along with 5.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
5. East Ascension (Gonzales)2012-13 record: 30-4
Head coach: Kenny Almond
The Spartans put together a double-digit win streak down the stretch before losing in the 5A semifinals. Leading the way was junior
JaCardo Hawkins, a beastly 6-8 forward who earned all-state honors last season. Hawkins averaged 17.1 points per game and has offers from the likes of Louisiana Tech and West Virginia.
