MaxPreps 2013-14 Ohio preseason boys basketball Fab 5

Click here to see the boys basketball preseason Fab 5 from every state

1. Northland (Columbus)
Head coach: Sean Taylor
2012-13 Finish: 28-1, lost in Division I state semifinals to Mentor
 
The Vikings return four of five starters: Shemar Waugh (5-8, Sr., G), who averaged 7 assists per game; Seth Towns (6-7, So., F); Derick McKeithen (6-3, Sr., G) and Jalen Tucker (6-7, Sr. F). Coach Taylor will have off the bench TTy Hairston (6-1, Sr., G), Jhustus Cornley (6-1, Sr., G) and Doug Taylor (6-8, Jr., C), who played football and is finding his basketball legs. Losing that last game to Mentor is big incentive. “That last game taught us a lot,” said Taylor, whose team is ranked No. 19 nationally by MaxPreps. “We were teetering with overconfidence. No matter what we preached last year, going undefeated, we were out-toughed by Mentor. We want to be the toughest team out there this year.”
 
2. Mentor
Head coach: Bob Krizancic
2012-13 Finish: 25-5, Division I state champions
 
Three starters return for coach Bob Krizancic, beginning with his son, Conner Krizancic (6-2, Sr., G), who is headed to Cincinnati on a football scholarship and scored 16 points in the state title game. Also back are Caleb Potter (6-4, Sr., F), a West Virginia baseball commit and Kade McClure (6-7, Sr. F), a Louisville baseball commit. It was Potter’s game-high 24 points that led the Cardinals in the state championship game. Kyle Hagey (6-0, Sr., G) will step at the point, and Michael Ours (6-4 Sr., G), Micah Potter (6-9, So. C), Joey Zaugg (6-0, Jr., G) and Ian Tenkku (6-5, Jr., G) add considerable depth. The Cardinals led the state in 3-pointers and it’s a team that likes to press, creating offense off defense. “We have a loaded schedule and we may take our lumps because of the schedule,” said coach Bob Krizancic, whose team is ranked No. 20 nationally by MaxPreps. “Conner is the starting quarterback on the football team and may not be available until mid-December. The first month we have a lot of big-time games.”
 
3. Villa Angela-St. Joseph (Cleveland)
Head coach: Babe Kwasniak
2012-13 Finish: 25-4, won Division IV state championship
 
Carlton Bragg (6-9, Jr., F) returns as arguably the best player in the state, after leading the Vikings as a sophomore with a 16.6 points per game average. VASJ destroyed Division IV teams last year and there’s no reason why they won’t this season. Bragg will be complemented by Brian Parker (6-3, Jr., G), who averaged 14 ppg, Derek Pardon (6-8, Jr., F), Deandre Forte (6-0, Sr., G), Simon Texidor (6-1, Jr., G) and Mo Johnson (5-11, Jr., G), who will probably be the starting point guard.
 
4. St. Vincent-St. Mary (Akron)
Head coach: Dru Joyce
2012-13 Finish: 20-10, lost in Division II state final
 
The school that LeBron James built returns Virginia Tech commit Jalen Hudson (6-6, Sr., F), who scored a game-high 17 in last year’s state title game, Jarel Woolridge (5-9, Sr., G), who will handle the point, and V.J. King (6-7, So. F). Transfers Joshua Williams (6-2, Jr. G), an Akron commit, and Jabre Blount (6-5, Jr., F) will be immediate contributors. “I think we have a chance to do something very special,” coach Joyce said. “We have six seniors who are football players which does hurt us some, because we will get those guys late. Once we get everyone there and going, we should be very, very good.”
 
5. Shaker Heights
Head coach: Danny Young
2012-2013 Finish: 20-7, regional finalists
 
The Raiders are coming off two-straight 20-win seasons and return one of the best players in the state in Esa Ahmad (6-8, Jr., F), who averaged 21.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 3.4 blocked shots a game last year as a sophomore. Ahmad has already received offers from nine different schools, including Iowa, Clemson and Xavier. Kent State commit Rosel Hurley (6-7, Sr., G) returns after averaging 12.6 ppg. 5.7 rpg and 2.6 spg. Kaleb Roy (6-2, Jr., G) is poised to have a breakout year, according to Raiders’ coach Danny Young. T.J. Steele (5-5, Sr., G), a transfer from Benedictine, is expected to make a major impact after averaging 18.1 ppg and 3.1 apg last year.