Defending Division I champion Central (Fresno) looks in good position to repeat. Look out also for Immanuel, Ridgeview, Clovis North and Independence in the Central Section boys basketball #MaxPrepsFab5.
Video: Ben Avera highlights
The 6-5 shooting guard leads fourth-ranked Clovis North.
MaxPreps 2016-17 CIF Central Section preseason boys basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Central (Fresno)Head coach: Greg Streets
2015-16 record: 22-7
Only four seniors graduated from last year's Division I section championship team, so Streets and the Grizzlies should be in good position to repeat. They return three double-digit scorers, led by 6-2 junior guard
Cashemin Williams, who averaged 12.4 points per game. He finished off his sophomore campaign by averaging 16.5 in his final two games against Clovis North and Alemany.
See the MaxPreps California boys basketball computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard
2. Immanuel (Reedley)Head coach: Nate McClurg
2015-16 record: 25-6
The Eagles return second-leading scorer
Darrin Person Jr., who averaged 16.3 points and a team-best 9.0 rebounds per game last year. The 6-6 guard should get plenty of help from 6-foot junior guard
Nate Kendricks, who averaged nearly 10 points per game. Immanuel has piled up 78 wins the last three seasons under McClurg.
See the MaxPreps California boys basketball stat leaders 3. Ridgeview (Bakersfield)Head coach: Michael Martin
2015-16 record: 28-3
The Wolf Pack lost just seven seniors off a 22-man roster last season and return double-digit scorers Justin McCall, a 6-5 shooting guard and small forward, and Jordan Roberts, a terrific 6-6 point and shooting guard. Roberts averaged 13.9 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game while McCall came in at 15.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per outing. After back-to-back losing seasons, Martin took over and has led the Wolf Pack to a combined 49-11 record over two seasons.
See the MaxPreps California boys basketball photos
4. Clovis North (Fresno)Head coach: Tony Amundsen
2015-16 record: 20-10
Elijah Straughter, Clovis North
File photo by David Steutel
The Broncos lost leading scoring Jahvon Johnson to graduation but return two terrific versatile players in 6-5 wing
Ben Avera and 6-6 forward
Elijah Straughter, who also has good guard skills. Straughter had 14 points and 13 rebounds in a section semifinal win over Centennial and Avera added 14. Clovis North has rebounded nicely since a 7-18 season in 2013-14 to win a combined 35 games the last two seasons.
See the MaxPreps California boys basketball playoff brackets5. Independence (Bakersfield)Head coach: Stan Davis
2015-16 record: 18-8
The Falcons return seven players off last year's 18-win team, including four players who combined to average better than 33 points per game, led by 6-8 senior post
Kevin Larson (9.5 points, 11.5 rebounds per game). Larson figures to do a lot more scoring in 2016-17.
