MaxPreps 2012-13 Pennsylvania preseason boys basketball Fab 5

By Joseph Santoliquito Nov 27, 2012, 12:18am

Chester is the obvious pick as the top team in Pennsylvania. But watch out for Neumann-Goretti, Lower Merion, St. Joseph's Prep and Roman Catholic.

Chester is a national power and an obvious choice for the top spot in Pennsylvania.
Chester is a national power and an obvious choice for the top spot in Pennsylvania.
Photo by Ken Inness

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

1. Chester
Head coach: Larry Yarbray
2011-12 finish: 32-0, Class AAAA state champions

The Clippers are not only the best in the state, but among the top teams in the country, finishing No. 5 in the country by MaxPreps last season. It's also where the Clippers will begin again this year. Chester carries the nation's second-longest winning streak in the nation, 58 games, behind St. Anthony's 60-game streak and is a combined 63-1 over the last two seasons. This storied team has won eight state titles, more than any other large school in state history. This could be Chester's best team, going for a third-straight state title. The hub of the Clippers is Arizona-bound Rondae Jefferson (6-7, Sr., G/F), but they also return Richard Granberry (6-6, Sr., F) and Darius Robinson (6-2, Sr., G). Conrad Chambers (6-0, Jr., G) transferred in from Friends Central and gives a strong backcourt even more depth.

View the MaxPreps Preseason Xcellent 25 National Boys Basketball Rankings

2. Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia)
Head coach: Carl Arrigale
2011-12 finish: 28-3, Class AAA state champions



The Saints will be going for a fourth-straight state championship and what's more, they have powerhouse Chester on their schedule. Neumann-Goretti finished No. 20 in the country, according to MaxPreps, and start this season at No. 12. Topping the list of returnees is one of the top juniors in the nation, point guard Ja'Quan Newton (6-2, Jr., G). The Saints also return power forward John Davis (6-4, Sr., F), and a pair of solid juniors in Jamal Custis (6-6, Jr., F) and Tony Toplyn (6-5, Jr., F). Here's the problem: The Philadelphia Catholic League is loaded, with Archbishop Carroll now carrying 6-10 Ernest Aflakpui, St. Joseph's Prep with Steve Vasturia (Notre Dame) and Miles Overton (Wake Forest). The Saints open their season at Class AAAA state runner-up Lower Merion.

View all of our Pennsylvania boys basketball photo galleries

3. Lower Merion (Ardmore)
Head coach: Gregg Downer
2011-12 finish: 29-4, Class AAAA state runner-up

The Aces would be state champs in most other states, their one problem is the scourge of Pennsylvania, perennial power Chester. Two of Lower Merion's four losses came against the Clippers, once in the District 1 finals and then in the state championship. Syracuse-bound B.J. Johnson (6-6, Sr., F) tops the list of players back, joined by Yohanny Dalembert (6-6, Sr., F), Jaquan Johnson (5-11, Jr., G), Justin McFadden (6-3, Jr., F), Raheem Hall (6-1, Sr., G), Corey Sherman (5-10, So., G), Baird Howland (6-5, Sr. guard-forward) and Jule Brown (6-5, So., F). Downer is one of the best coaches in the state, and he'll have a whole season to devise a scheme that somehow unseats Chester. Downer also isn't afraid to play anyone. Lower Merion opens the season against Neumann-Goretti.

View last season's Pennsylvania boys basketball Freeman Rankings

4. St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia)
Head coach: Speedy Morris
2011-12 finish: 21-6, District 12 Class AAAA champion



The Hawks have arguably the best backcourt in the state in Notre Dame commit Stephen Vasturia (6-5, Sr., G) and Wake Forest-bound Miles Overton (6-4, Sr., G). The problem is they're also the tallest players on Prep's team and will be asked to do more than shoot. Legendary coach Speedy Morris is another asset. He gets the most out of his players, and it's a team that slightly underachieved last year, losing in the first round of the PIAA state playoffs. Back with Vasturia and Overton are Pj Kelly (5-10, Sr., G), Kyle Thompson (6-1, Jr., G) and Chris Clover (6-1, So. G). Rebounding and sharing the ball are Morris' top concerns. A killer schedule features tests with Neumann-Goretti and Philadelphia Public League powerhouse Imhotep Charter.

View last season's Pennsylvania boys basketball stats leaderboard

5. Roman Catholic (Philadelphia)
Head coach: Chris McNesby
2011-12 finish: 18-10, lost to Lower Merion in Class AAAA state playoffs

The Cahillites were a young team that made some splashes last year. They opened the season with a victory over Lower Merion, and grew and matured as the season progressed. The main nucleus of an 18-win team returns, topped by Shep Garner (Jr., 6-2, G), Trevaughn Wilkerson (6-6, So., F), Shafeek Taylor (6-7, So., F), Traci Carter (6-0, So., G), Rashann London (6-2, Jr., G), Matt Simon (6-1, Sr., G) and Hezekiah Trahn (6-4, Jr., F). Guard play and Roman's up-tempo style are strengths. Carter and Garner are the catalysts. The biggest need for the team is for everyone to remain healthy.

View last season's Pennsylvania boys basketball playoff brackets


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