MaxPreps 2014-15 West Virginia preseason boys basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Huntington St. Joseph Prep (Huntington)
2013-14: 28-5
Head coach: Arkell Bruce

The bar has been set high for first-year head coach Bruce.

Predecessor Rob Fulford built the program from the ground up, turned the Fighting Irish into a national power and recruited one of the most talented prospects of the last decade (Andrew Wiggins) to Huntington — not exactly a high school hoops hotbed.



Until now.

Outside of Findlay Prep, Montverde Academy and Oak Hill Academy, nobody has sent more players to the Division I level over the last five years than Huntington St. Joseph Prep.

Despite the coaching change, the talent flow from Huntington to major college programs all over the country will continue under Bruce. This year's roster is highlighted by a plus-sized front line featuring 6-foot-11 Thomas Bryant, 6-10, 290-pound Levi Cook and 6-8 Ted Kapita, who could pass for an SEC defensive end.

Newcomer Karim Ezzeddine, a 6-9 French import, could also be a factor for the Fighting Irish.

View last season's West Virginia boys basketball rankings, presented by the Army National Guard

2. Huntington
2013-14: 25-4
Head coach: Bruce Senior



The Highlanders return five of seven including top junior guards J.R. Howard and Tavian Dunn-Martin. They won a state title under then first-year coach Senior. It was the team's 13th overall, the first since 2007 when Huntington won three straight.

View last season's West Virginia boys basketball playoff brackets

3. Hurricane
2013-14: 21-7
Head coach: Lance Sutherland
The Redskins lost their leading scorer to graduation but return seniors Trey Dawson (13.2 points per game) and J.T. Rogoszewski.. Hurricane figures to be deep as does their shooting range. The Redskins made 145 threes last year, shot 49 percent from the field overall and Dawson and Rogoszewski combined to hit 83 threes last season. Hurricane had its second straight 20-win season after not having one in its last seven.

View last season's West Virginia boys basketball stat leaders

4. South Charleston
2013-14: 24-2
Head coach: Vic Herbert
The Black Eagles return 14 players from a 20-man rosters, including sophomores Tamon Scruggs and Derrek Pitts. Six sophomores from last year are now juniors.

View West Virginia boys basketball pro photo galleries



5. Poca
2013-14: 27-2
Head coach: Allen Osborne
From a roster of 22 last year, the Dots lost only four to graduation and bring back a talented roster that featured a remarkable 10 freshmen. If Poca isn't contending for a state title this year, it certainly shall the next two seasons.