MaxPreps 2015-16 Louisiana preseason high school boys basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Scotlandville (Baton Rouge)
Head coach: Carlos Samples
2014-15 record: 34-3

When putting together preseason boys basketball rankings in Louisiana, Scotlandville is always a good place to start. The Hornets have reached the 5A state championship game in each of the past six seasons and won three of the last four. Samples will have the luxury of having a special young talent run his team from the point guard position in Ja'vonte Smart (6-3, So.), who averaged over 15 points, five rebounds and five assists en route to MaxPreps Freshman All-American honors a year ago.

See last season's Louisiana boys basketball computer rankings

2. Landry-Walker (New Orleans)
Head coach: Tarence Davis
2014-15 record: 24-11



Landry-Walker features arguably the state's top big man in Cameron Lard (6-9, Sr., F/C), a shot-blocker extraordinaire with offers from LSU, Mississippi State and Oklahoma State among others. He comes from Natchitoches Central. Mississippi State commit Lamar Peters (6-1, Sr., G) is back after leading the Charging Bucs in scoring at 19.7 points per game. L.B. Landry High School and O.P. Walker High School merged prior to the 2013-14 season and the combined Landry-Walker outfit has won both 4A state titles since.

See Louisiana boys basketball pro photo galleries

3. Riverside Academy (Reserve)
Head coach: Timmy Byrd
2014-15 record: 29-6

Byrd has combined to win 12 state titles at now-defunct Reserve Christian and Riverside Academy – including last year's 2A crown. Senior standouts Malik Crowfield (6-3, G) and Herbert McGee (6-0, G) are a good building block for the legendary coach's run at a 13th state championship.

See last season's Louisiana boys basketball playoff brackets

4. McDonogh 35 (New Orleans)
Head coach: Kevin Sanders
2014-15 record: 21-10



Dynamic duos seem to be a trend among top teams in Louisiana this season and McDonogh 35 has one of its own. Brison Gresham (6-9, Sr., F/C) holds offers from programs like Baylor, LSU, Oklahoma and Texas while De'jon Jarreau (6-3, Sr., G) has the attention of Arizona, Memphis and Wichita State. The two have expressed interest in attending college together.

See last season's Louisiana boys basketball stat leaders

5. Natchitoches Central
Head coach: Micah Coleman
2014-15 record: 30-6

Lard moved on to another school, but Brandon Rachal (6-5, Jr., G/F) – also a star wide receiver – is a second high major target on Central's roster and spent his summer balling with Elfrid Payton Elite on the Nike EYBL circuit.