Classical of Providence is our pick as the top team in Rhode Island. But watch out for La Salle Academy, North Kingstown, Central of Providence and St. Raphael Academy.
Charles Correa is one of Rhode Island's top players and his St. Raphael's team is No. 5 in our rankings.
Photo by Ken Rutt
John Kavanagh
2011-12 finish: 17-9, lost in quarterfinals of
open tournament
No team may be better equipped to take a big leap in 2012-13.
With a slew of returnees ready for a postseason run, Classical may be poised to
return to the top of the bracket. After a run to the state’s final eight last
year, Classical returns a solid core of experienced players including
Terrill Toe (6-1, Sr. G),
Ishmael Batista (5-10, Sr., G) and
Kealen Ives (5-10, Jr.,
PG).
View the MaxPreps Preseason Xcellent 25 National Boys Basketball Rankings
2. La Salle Academy (Providence)Head coach: Bill Black
2011-12 finish: 20-5, lost in state semifinals
La Salle turned in a tremendous campaign last season, reaching the
Final Four in the state’s open postseason tournament before falling to Hope.
The Rams earned the No. 2 seed behind eventual state champion Central but are
the clear favorites heading into 2012-2013. They’ll miss a ton of production
from Tom Hunt, who was a unanimous first team All-State pick as a
junior but transferred to St. Andrew’s in the offseason. Still, the Rams have a
terrific duo returning at the guard position in
Michael Clark (5-7, Sr., PG)
and
Jared Thompson (6-0, Sr., G).
View all of our Rhode Island boys basketball photo galleries3. North Kingstown
Head coach: Aaron Thomas
2011-12 finish: 20-5, lost in quarterfinals of postseason
tournament
Like the state champions, North Kingstown graduated plenty of
production. Gone are Evan Scott, Michael Scott and Chase Almond, but this
year’s load will be placed on the shoulders of
Matthew Quainoo (5-10, Sr., PG),
who may be the state’s best at the position. He’ll have big man
Owen Heath
(6-4, Sr., PF) to rely on as they hope to get the open tournament’s top seed for
a second-straight year.
View last season's Rhode Island boys basketball stats leaderboard
4. Central (Providence)Head coach: Floyd Narcisse
2011-12 finish: 19-6, postseason state tournament champions
It’s true that the Knights did graduate a ton of production,
but the defending state champions are ready for the challenge of rebuilding
while also maintaining a high level of competition at the state’s highest
level.
Jerrelle Washington (6-1, Jr., G) will be the team’s go-to player as
he’s among the state’s top returning underclassmen.
View last season's Rhode Island boys basketball playoff brackets5. St. Raphael Academy (Pawtucket)Head coach: Thomas Sorrentine
2011-12 finish: 16-6, lost in second round of state tournament
Charles Correa (5-10, Sr., PG) was one of only two juniors
selected to the All-State first team a year ago. Since the other
underclassman, La Salle’s Hunt, has transferred, Correa is arguably the top
player in the state heading into the 2012-13 season. Correa is the perfect
floor general and he can score, too. He won’t do it alone, though.
Alex Holloway (5-8, So., G) will return as one of the Ocean State’s best
underclassmen.
View last season's Rhode Island boys basketball Freeman Rankings
