Callaway is our pick as the top team in Mississippi boys basketball. Also watch for Amanda Elzy, Madison Central, Provine and St. Martin.
1. Callaway (Jackson)2012-13 record: 27-7, Class 5A state champions
Head coach: Davis Sanders
Reigning MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year
Malik Newman isn't the only thing the Chargers have going for them. Sophomore wing
Mario Kegler is another name on the radar of college coaches all over the country and the buzz is already building for 6-foot-10, 250-pound freshman
Damien Moore.
2. Amanda Elzy (Greenwood)2012-13 record: 32-5, Class 4A state champions
Head coach: Gerald Glass
Last year's leading scorer is gone in 6-7 Janarius Middleton, but the Panthers are still loaded. Coach's kid
Gerald Glass Jr. (6-7, Sr., F), Mississippi State verbal
Maurice Dunlap II (6-2, Sr., G),
Denarius Grover (6-5, Jr., F) and
DeKarius Prayer (6-2, Sr., G/F) give Elzy a nucleus that will be tough to beat.
3. Madison Central2012-13 record: 25-9
Head coach: Rakim Lockhart
The Jaguars are blessed with tremendous size, highlighted by 6-11 senior
Joniah White. Other bigs on the Madison Central roster include
Xavian Stapleton (6-6, Sr., G),
Grayson Gunter (6-6, So., F) and
Demarcus Hayes (6-7, 325, Sr., C).
4. Provine (Jackson)2012-13 record: 22-8
Head coach: Otis Gaines
A pair of double-digit scorers return for the Rams in juniors
D'Angelo West (12.4 points per game as a sophomore) and
Jerekius Davis (12.1). Provine notched wins over both Callaway and Amanda Elzy last season.
5. St. Martin (Ocean Springs)2012-13 record: 26-5
Head coach: Charlie Pavlus
The Yellojackets return one of the state's top players in senior guard
Ed Simpson, who averaged 21.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game in 2012-13. Simpson is verbally committed to Middle Tennessee State.
