Christ the King is our pick as the state's top team. Watch out for Bishop Kearney, South Shore, Long Island Lutheran and Lincoln as well.
Syracuse commit Chinonso Obokoh and Bishop Kearney could be one of the greatest teams in Syracuse-area history.
Photo by Chris Cecere
MaxPreps 2012-13 New York Boys Basketball Preseason Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard1. Christ the King (Middle Village)Head coach: Joe Arbitello
2011-12 finish: 19-8
No rebuilding that begins with having to replace guard Omar Calhoun (UConn) can be considered simple, but the Royals are imposing, beginning with
Jon Severe (6-2, Sr., G),
Isaiah Lewis (6-3, Sr., G),
Jordan Fuchs (6-6, Sr., F) and
Adonis De La Rosa (6-9, Sr., C).
Andrew Walker (6-1, Jr., PG) transferred in from St. Anthony's in New Jersey, and the recent return to New York from Florida by
Rawle Alkins (6-3, Fr., G) seals the deal for the CHSAA's standard bearer.
View the MaxPreps Preseason Xcellent 25 National Boys Basketball Rankings
2. Bishop Kearney (Rochester)Head coach: Jon Boon
2011-12 finish: 17-7, NYSPHSAA Class A semifinalist
The body of work doesn't qualify the Kings' frontcount as the best in Rochester-area history — yet — but
Thomas Bryant (6-8, F, Soph.), Syracuse signee
Chinonso Obokoh (6-9, F, Sr.) and newcomer
God's Power Ogide (6-10, C, Jr.) form an imposing foundation to tackle an ambitious schedule across the Northeast. Ogibe, a transfer from Washington, D.C., is more of a space-eater than fellow Nigerian Obokoh — who gave Kearney a decisive defensive edge as a high school rookie.
View all of our New York boys basketball photo galleries3. South Shore (Brooklyn)Head coach: Michael Beckles
2011-12 finish: 17-9
Terrence Samuel (6-3, Sr., PG) will be the latest in the line of NYC point guards to play for UConn, and he'll be a worthy successor to the likes of Taliek Brown, Kemba Walker and Omar Calhoun in Storrs.
Shamiek Sheppard (6-5, Sr., F) and
Doudmy Saint Hilare (6-1, Jr., G) will free Samuel up to score beyond his 13 points a game a year ago.
View last season's New York boys basketball stats leaderboard4. Long Island Lutheran (Brookville)Head coach: John Buck
2011-12 finish: 23-6, Federation Class A champion
UConn recruit
Kentan Facey (6-8, Sr., C) and
K.j. Lee (6-3, Sr., G) give
Chris Atkinson (5-11, Soph., PG) two no-brainer options for putting notches in the assists column. The scarcity of big-school teams in the Association of Independent Schools gives LuHi a relatively easy path to the Federation Tournament, but the regular-season diet of PSAL, CHSAA and upstate public-school foes is great prep for the postseason drive.
View last season's New York boys basketball Freeman Rankings5. Lincoln (Brooklyn)Head coach: Dwayne "Tiny" Morton
2011-12 finish: 19-9
Nothing eats at the Railsplitters more than having to play second fiddle to 2012 Federation Class AA champ Boys & Girls. Lincoln should clear that hurdle and challenge South Shore for PSAL superiority even without enigmatic Ethan Telfair (5-10, Sr., PG), who's resurfaced at Quest Prep in Las Vegas.
Isaiah Whitehead (6-4, Jr., G) has the rep; this should be the season he confirms his credentials as the best player in NYC.
Tafari Whittingham (6-7, Sr., F) is the key post presence.
View last season's New York boys basketball playoff brackets
