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

1. Homestead (Fort Wayne)
2013-14 finish: 20-8
Head coach: Chris Johnson

The Spartans have three returning starters, a very talented transfer guard and a strong candidate for Mr. Basketball. The key player is 6-8, 265-pound Caleb Swanigan, who reclassified from a junior to a senior after averaging 22 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks as a sophomore. The transfer is sharp-shooting 6-0 senior guard Jordan Geist, who averaged 18 points at Penn (Mishawaka). Coach Chris Johnson said he will have to sit out the first three games. Senior Dana Batt (6-9, 210) averaged nine points and five rebounds and will attend Colgate. Junior Tahj Curry (6-2) averaged nine points. Other key players are 6-3, 215-pound junior Ben Skowronek and Luers (Fort Wayne) transfer JJ Foster, a 5-9 sophomore point guard who averaged 12 points and five assists, and 6-4 senior Teddy Ray.

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

2. Southport (Indianapolis)
2013-14 finish: 15-8
Head coach: Kyle Simpson



The Cardinals return all five starters and boast good size and depth. Double-figure scorers included 6-10, 235-pound junior Joey Brunk, who averaged 15 points and eight rebounds; 5-11 senior point guard Malik Bennett, who averaged 15 points and 5.7 assists; and 6-3 sophomore Paul Scruggs, who averaged 13.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. They also will count on 6-4 junior Eli Walton, 6-5 junior Luke Johnston, 6-4 senior DeMari Davis, 5-11 sophomore Blake Evans, 6-0 junior Janson Benge and 6-9 sophomore Dut Mabok.

View last season's Indiana boys basketball playoff brackets

3. Evansville Reitz
2013-14 finish: 17-5
Head coach: Mike Adams

All five starters are back for the Panthers, who have excellent balance and depth. The double-figure scorers - all seniors - include 6-3 Toledo recruit Ja Sanford, who averaged 15.4 points and 2.6 assists; 6-3 Alex Stein, who averaged 12.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists; 6-5 Jacob Norman, who averaged 11.7 points and 6.0 rebounds; and 6-0 Mario Barnes, who averaged 10.2 points and 4.3 assists. The fifth starter, 6-3 Nate Hansen, averaged 9.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists. Others who will contribute are 6-3 junior Dru Smith, 6-7 senior Austin Elmore and 5-11 junior Blake Ruckman, who averaged 6.1 points in limited action.

View last season's Indiana boys basketball stat leaders

4. Carmel
2013-14 finish: 21-2
Head coach: Scott Heady



The Greyhounds have just two returning starters, but they both are Division I recruits and they will have plenty of depth this year under coach Scott Heady, who has won two Class 4A state titles. Mr. Basketball candidate Ryan Cline, a Purdue recruit, leads the way. The 6-5, 190-pound senior is coming off averages of 16.7 points and 3.1 rebounds while shooting 45 percent from 3-point range. Keegan Culp, a 6-6 senior headed for the Air Force Academy, averaged 9.1 points and 4.1 rebounds and shot 43 percent from 3-point land. Others who should contribute include 6-4 junior Preston Flamion, 6-7 junior Trenton Richardson, 6-3 junior Sam Oliphant, 6-0 sophomore Sterling Brown and 6-8 senior Liam Duncan.

View Indiana boys basketball pro photo galleries

5. Indianapolis Scecina Memorial
2013-14 finish: 18-6
Head coach: Rob New

The Class 2A Crusaders return all five starters with plenty of size and depth. In fact, three seniors will be starting for the fourth year. They are 6-9, 200-pound Gary Bonds, who averaged 17.8 points, six rebounds and three blocks, along with twins Zach Rutland (5-8) and Josh Rutland (5-10) Rutland. Zach is the team leader, having averaged 14 points and seven assists last year, and he is an outstanding ball handlers. Josh averaged 11 points. Both will attend Huntington University. Junior Andre Jones (6-6, 215) is the "spitting image" of NBA star Blake Griffin, according to coach Rob New. He averaged close to four dunks last year. The Crusaders won 23 straight games last summer, including the University of Michigan Camp title.