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

By Dean Backes Nov 6, 2014, 2:00pm

Chaminade is our pick as the top team in Missouri. Also look out for Kickapoo, Blue Springs South, Lee's Summit West and Helias.

Jayson Tatum, Chaminade
Jayson Tatum, Chaminade
Photo by Randy Kemp

MaxPreps 2014-15 Missouri Boys Basketball Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard

1. Chaminade (St. Louis)
2013-14 finish: 21-2, Class 5 district finalist
Head coach: Frank Bennett

A former MaxPreps Freshman All-American, junior Jayson Tatum and his 25.8 scoring average carried Chaminade into the district championship game before the Red Devils bowed out of postseason play a year ago. Division-1 scouts watch his every move as Tatum hopes to guide Chaminade to its first title since 2009. Bennett returns many of his key contributors from a year ago.

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

2. Kickapoo (Springfield)
2013-14 finish: 21-6, Class 5 district finalist
Head coach: Dick Rippee



Four starters and four lettermen return this season after Rippee took the Chiefs to the district final a year ago. Tyson Batiste, who had three triple-doubles last season, leads the way, while returning leading scorer Matthew Ridder (12.0 points per game), Jack Simpson and Ryan Burland are back as well.

View last season's Missouri boys basketball playoff brackets

3. Blue Springs South
2013-14 finish: 21-5, Class 5 district finalist
Head coach: Jimmy Cain

Missouri commit Kevin Puryear and Kj Robinson took home first team All-Big 6 honors a year ago, and both return with hopes of carrying the Jaguars to the Missouri Show Me Showdown. Senior Brandon Kilgore returns as well, giving Cain a very good nucleus to build around.

View last season's Missouri boys basketball stat leaders

4. Lee's Summit West
2013-14 finish: 27-4, Class 5 consolation champion
Head coach: Michael Schieber



Seniors Jarred Dixon, Gary Davis and Ryan Williams would like nothing more than to play for a state title in March. All three garnered All-Mid 6 honors a year ago and possess the talent to get the job done.

View Missouri boys basketball pro photo galleries

5. Helias (Jefferson City)
2013-14 finish: 23-8, Class 4 consolation champion
Head coach: Josh Buffington

Michael Tannehill was the lone senior on the Class 4 consolation champions' roster. That bodes well for Buffington, who hopes to guide his squad to a title in 2015. Isiah Sykes scored over 20 points a game last year, while Hale Hentges contributed almost 11 points per contest.