MaxPreps 2014-15 Vermont preseason boys basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Rice Memorial (South Burlington)
2013-14 finish: 20-3
Head coach: Paul Pecor

Rice Memorial begins the season as the state's top-ranked team for good reason: it has captured back-to-back Division I state titles. It returns guard Ben Shungu and forward Kendrick Gray, who could prove to be the top player in the state this season. Both were second team all-state picks a year ago.

View last season's Vermont boys basketball rankings, presented by the Army National Guard

2. Burr & Burton (Manchester)
2013-14 finish: 22-1
Head coach: Dave Shedadi



Burr & Burton navigated the regular season without a loss last year, thanks in large part to the coach's son, Joey Shehadi, who averaged nearly 21 points per game. He was part of a very solid junior class last year that is poised for a Division I state title run as seniors. Connor Harrington, Tyeshawn Gadson and Taylor Muench are other key returners.

View last season's Vermont boys basketball playoff brackets

3. St. Johnsbury Academy
2013-14 finish: 15-5
Head coach: Bill Fitzgerald

Last year, two of St. Johnsbury Academy's losses came to out-of-state teams, and two of its other losses (to Mt. Mansfield and Burlington) each came by one-point margins. Even with the departure of forward Vlad Cobzaru, St. Johnsbury Academy should enjoy a bounce-back season. Guard Tristan Ross will assume a bigger role in the offense with the graduation of Brendan O'Shea. Josiah Kimball, a goalie for the school's soccer team, will also be key to the school's success on the hardwood this season.

View last season's Vermont boys basketball stat leaders

4. Burlington
2013-14 finish: 17-4
Head coach: Matt Johnson



An impact player from his freshman season, Josh Hale enters his junior year with high expectations after posting 17 points per game as a sophomore. The team's second-leading scorer last year, Asmin Mostarlic, also returns for head coach Matt Johnson, who has been at the school's helm since 2002.

View our national boys basketball pro photo galleries

5. Williamstown
2013-14 finish: 22-0
Head coach: Jack Carrier

Williamstown has won 50 consecutive games and shows no sign of slowing down. Jack Carrier's 2014-15 squad will feature 6-foot-3 forward Hunter McLaughlin, who poured in over 17 points per game last winter. The team loses only four seniors to graduation, so Williamstown certainly could push its winning streak into the 60s.