MaxPreps 2016-17 New Mexico preseason high school boys basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Rio Rancho Rams vs. Albuquerque Bulldogs
See last-year game highlights from two of the teams in this year's Fab 5.


1. Rio Rancho
2015-16 record: 19-12
Head coach: Wally Salata

Last year the 11th-seeded Rams caught everybody by surprise with a late-season winning streak that resulted in a Class 6A state championship. With five returning starters, they won't catch anybody by surprise this time around. The leader again will be 6-foot senior point guard Clay Patterson, who averaged 20.5 points, 3.3 assists and 1.8 steals while being named the Gatorade State Player of the Year. Senior shooting guard Juan Hurt (5-10) averaged 14.2 points, 2.4 steals and 2.3 assists. Another key returnee is 6-4 senior Jeremy Snider, who averaged 7.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists.

See the MaxPreps New Mexico boys basketball computer rankings, presented by the Army National Guard



2. Cleveland (Rio Rancho)
2015-16 record: 23-8
Head coach: Sean Jimenez

New coach Sean Jimenez has inherited a strong team with quickness, athleticism and four returning starters, and could give city rival Rio Rancho a good run for the Class 6A state title. Key veterans returning from a team that lost in the state semifinals are 6-2 senior guard Marcus Hill (the returning leading scorer), 6-0 junior point guard Jayden Phillips, 6-4 senior forward Marquise Hill and 6-4 senior Adam Cook, the top returning rebounder who also plays football. Jalen Munn, a 6-1 sophomore, and 6-6 Red Oak (Texas) senior transfer Tyrique Weaver also will add strength.

See the MaxPreps New Mexico boys basketball stat leaders

3. Cibola (Albuquerque)
2015-16 record: 23-6
Head coach: Ray Rodriguez
Four starters - two of them double-figure scorers - will lead the Cougars this year. Pacing a strong backcourt are 6-2 senior Desmond Carpenter, who averaged 13 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists, and 6-2 junior Cameron Dixon, who averaged 12 points and 5.0 rebounds. The other two returnees are 6-2 senior swingman Zack Baca, who averaged 6.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals and is a standout defensive player, and 5-10 senior Isaac Brito, who averaged 6.0 points and 3.0 assists.

See the MaxPreps New Mexico boys basketball photos

4. Carlsbad
2015-16 record: 24-8
Head coach: Jamaal Brown



The Class 6A state runner-up Cavemen return just two starters, but they have good size and are ready to make another title run. The centerpiece is 6-9, 230-pound Brenden Boatwright, who averaged 16 points and 10.3 rebounds and will attend Fort Lewis College next year. He is joined up front by 6-5 senior Chris Johnson, who averaged 9.6 points and 8.1 rebounds. Other possible starters, all seniors, are 6-0 Gage Shoup and 6-0 Matthew Rendon Jr.

See the MaxPreps New Mexico boys basketball playoff brackets

5. Albuquerque
2015-16 record: 18-9
Head coach: Ron Garcia

The Bulldogs return three starters and have good size. Junior Marlon Cunningham, who is just under 6-8 and weighs 250 pounds, finally will get to start after sitting out his sophomore year due to transfer rules. The starters from last year are 5-11 senior Lorenzo Cantoja, who averaged 5.4 points and 2.4 assists; 5-11 junior Randy Castillo, who averaged 9.2 points and 3.1 assists, and 6-4 junior Silas Cole, who averaged 4.9 points and 6.7 rebounds.