MaxPreps 2016-17 Alaska preseason high school boys basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Recruit literally breaks the rim
Watch this dunk that shocked the world.


1. East (Anchorage)
2015-16 record: 21-8
Head coach: Jason Jno-Lewis

The Thunderbirds have a good core coming back, plus some youngsters waiting to step up. Senior Moses Miller averaged 18.5 points per game last season, while adding 3.2 boards, 2.5 assists and nearly three steals per contest. Miller has plenty of on-court experience, especially in the postseason, where East took third in 4A. Miller is joined by fellow senior Carson Washburn (7.2 ppg) and sophomore Jaron Williams.

See the MaxPreps Alaska boys basketball computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard



2. Barrow
2015-16 record: 25-4
Head coach: Jeremy Arnhart

The Whalers are stacked, with their three top scorers from last season's 3A state title team. The big loss, however, is Kamaka Hepa, a 6-foot-9 junior who averaged a team-high 19 points and 12 boards per game before moving to Oregon. Travis Adams is back, however. The junior poured in 16.2 per game for Barrow. Seniors Trevor Thomas and Roy Henry Snow each averaged 7.4 points for Barrow.

See the MaxPreps Alaska boys basketball stat leaders

3. West Valley (Fairbanks)
2015-16 record: 19-6
Head coach: Cornelius Mingo Sr. The Wolf Pack lost some key seniors to graduation, but Cornelius Mingo Jr., a 6-3 power forward and coach's son, has tournament experience after scoring 13 in a semifinal game against East while averaging 15 points per game over the season. He will be joined by sophomore guard Preston Damario and senior point guard Isaiah Winfrey.

See the MaxPreps Alaska boys basketball photos

4. West (Anchorage)
2015-16 record: 10-8
Head coach: Antonio Wyche



The Eagles have six returners from last year's roster, all 6-foot and taller. Senior Ladarius Lumpkins tops West's roster at 6-2 and will be joined by fellow senior, 6-1 Charlie Weyauvanna. Junior Dondre McMorris, and senior Rapi Sotoa also return.

See the MaxPreps Alaska boys basketball playoff brackets

5. Ketchikan
2015-16 record: 19-8
Head coach: Eric Stockhausen

The Kings, who lost in the 4A semifinals, lost size to graduation as well as their top five scorers. But Ketchikan has some up-and-coming talent in senior guard Jake Smith, who averaged 5.6 points per game. Sophomore Marcus Lee averaged four points per game last season. Senior Jordan Sader (6-4) will have to step up and replace the size lost by the Kings.