Moreau Catholic leads the way, but also watch out for De La Salle, Bishop O'Dowd, Salesian College Preparatory and Saint Mary's in the North Coast Section #MaxPrepsFab5.
Moreau Catholic senior Oscar Frayer looks to lead the Mariners toward a state title.
File photo by Craig Jungferman
Frank Knight
2014-15 record: 23-7
Two years ago, most of the same roster were freshmen and sophomores. Now with nothing but seniors and juniors, the Mariners appear ready to peak. Led by high-flying 6-foot-6 Cal-bound wing
Oscar Frayer and junior point guard
Damari Milstead, Moreau will embark upon a rugged schedule, opening with nationally ranked Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth).
Terrell Brown, a 6-3 guard, is headed to San Jose State
See last season's North Coast Section boys basketball computer rankings2. De La Salle (Concord)Head coach: AJ Kuhle
2014-15 record: 27-5
The Spartans lost longtime coach Frank Allocco, who won more than 600 games and led the West at the 2014 McDonald's All-American game. But in his place is Kuhle, a longtime assistant at the University of Denver. Allocco is now an assistant at USF. Kuhle inherits one of De La Salle's most talented teams, led by USF-bound
Jordan Ratinho and
Nikhil Peters, a pair of 6-5 senior guards and four-year starters.
See MaxPreps NCS boys basketball photos3. Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland)Head coach: Lou Richie
2014-15 record: 28-4
The defending state Open Division champs lost the best inside-outside combo perhaps in the state in All-Americans Ivan Rabb (now at Cal) and Paris Austin (Boise State), but the well is not dry. Two of the top sophomore guards in the state, if not the country,
Elijah Hardy and
Naseem Gaskins, lead the Dragons along with 7-foot senior post
Mike Hauser. O'Dowd should also get a big boost from transfer
B.J. Shaw, son of former NBA player and O'Dowd graduate Brian Shaw.
See last season's NCS boys basketball playoff brackets 4. Salesian College Preparatory (Richmond)Head coach: Bill Mellis
2014-15 record: 19-11
The 2009 and 2012 state champions return 13 of 15 players from last year's team, including
Brandon Mcghee,
Jamario Bibb,
James Akinjo and
Derek E'denchukwu. The strength of the Pride is depth, quickness and balance. It should be a fun team to watch.
See last season's NCS boys basketball stat leaders5. Saint Mary's (Albany)Head coach: Craig Battle
2014-15 record: 20-12
The Panthers lost just four players off the 14-man roster from team that came on late and reached the Northern California Division IV finals. Led by one of Northern California's top seniors
Kevin Warren (19.9 points per game), Saint Mary's also returns three key seniors who combined to average almost 18 points per game.
