MaxPreps 2012-13 Louisiana preseason boys basketball Fab 5

MaxPreps 2012-13 Louisiana Boys Basketball Preseason Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard

1. Scotlandville (Baton Rouge)
Head coach: Carlos Sample
2011-12 finish: 36-2, Class 5A state champions

As if Scotlandville needed any more help, it received it when senior Brian Bridgewater transferred across town from Episcopal. Bridgewater (6-foot-5, Sr., F) will join forces with Damian Jones (6-9, Sr., F/C) after averaging 23.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists last season. Jones, a Vanderbilt commit, averaged eight points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots as a part-time starter.

See which teams made it into the Preseason Boys Basketball Xcellent 25

2. Madison Prep Academy (Baton Rouge)
Head coach: Jeffery Jones
2011-12 finish: 34-7, Class B state semifinalists



How can a school from the second-smallest classification be considered one of the best in the state? There’s an easy two-word answer: Jarell Martin. The highly regarded Martin (6-9, Sr., F/C) averaged 26 points and 17 rebounds in his first year of high school basketball last year. The LSU commit figures only to get better and make those around him do the same.

See our Louisiana boys basketball photo galleries

3. Peabody (Alexandria)
Head coach: Charles Smith
2011-12 finish: 35-1, Class 4A state champions

Although lacking experience, the Warhorses should have a strong perimeter game built around Devon Tate (6-1, Sr., PG), a quick, aggressive ballhandler who has major college potential, Smith said. Carlton Lowe (6-3, Sr., F) will play an influential role inside after seeing significant playing time last season. Athletic Gabriel Jordan (6-4, Jr., G/F) joins the team after being a junior varsity standout last year.

See the Louisiana boys basketball stats leaderboard from last season

4. St. Augustine (New Orleans)
Head coach: Mitchell Johnson
2011-12 finish: 36-4, Class 4A state runners-up



Former player and assistant coach Mitchell Johnson takes over the storied program and welcomes back a strong inside presence, highlighted by two-year starter Craig Victor (6-5, Jr., F/C). Blake Jones (6-1, Jr., G) returns from a knee injury to bolster the Purple Knights’ outside game. Beefing it up even more will be Kelan Chairs (6-1, Sr., G), who will join the team after football season.

See last season's Louisiana boys basketball Freeman Rankings

5. Comeaux (Lafayette)
Head coach: Robert Melancon
2011-12 finish: 23-11, Class 5A quarterfinalists

Hayward Register (6-2, Sr., G) has the ability to keep Comeaux in most any game as an outside scoring threat, passer and driver to the basket. Comeaux scored a team-high 21 points in the Spartans’ one-point playoff loss to eventual state runner-up McKinley (Baton Rouge). Julian Thomas (6-5, Sr., F) added 16. That combination figures to fuel a team that gained valuable experience last year.

See last season's LHSAA boys basketball playoff brackets