MaxPreps 2015-16 Central Section preseason high school boys basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Immanuel (Reedley)
Head coach: Nate McClurg
2014-15 record: 30-3

The Eagles destroyed Division IV in the section and were the No. 1 seed in the regional playoffs, where they were bounced in the semifinals. Six-foot-1 senior guard Colin Slater (20.8 points, 4.8 assists per game) and 6-6 junior center Darrin Person jr. (16.4 points, 8.8 rebounds) were the Fresno Bee's co-Players of the Year and both come back seeking a Southern California regional title. The Bee reported last season that Immanuel will return 84 percent of its scoring, 59 percent of its rebounding, 87 of its assists and 81 percent of its steals - so expect another solid chance of a state title game berth. Coach C.J. Haydock is out and Nate McClurg steps in to lead the squad.

See last season's Central Section boys basketball computer rankings

2. Centennial (Bakersfield)
Head coach: Hernan Santiago
2014-15 record: 23-9



The Golden Hawks return 6-5 senior forward Malcolm Johnson (15.1 points, 11 rebounds per game), the Bakersfield Californian's Player of the Year. And they bring back 6-2 junior guard Aleczander Check (13.9 points, 4.8 assists per game) as well, a first-team pick by the Californian, in addition to two more honorable mention players. And Santiago was the Coach of the Year in the area too. They fell two points short of the section final but this year they may have enough to end the Fresno area's dominance in Division I.

See Central Section boys basketball pro photo galleries

3. Clovis West (Fresno)
Head coach: Tom Orlich
2014-15 record: 21-6

The fifth-winningest coach in state history fell one win short of a section title, losing to Bullard 71-68 in the section final. Six-foot junior guard Adrian Antunez was part of the Fresno Bee's "Pretty 30" and he'll lead a team that lost two other Pretty 30 players from the roster. With Orlich calling the shots, though, never count out the Golden Eagles.

See last season's California boys basketball playoff brackets

4. Mission Oak (Tulare)
Head coach: Mark Siverly
2014-15 record: 29-3



The top seed in Division II last season fell to Hanford in the final and lost in the first round of the regional playoffs, but 6-5 senior all-around player Austin Molezzo (17.3 points, 7.2 rebounds per game) and 6-2 senior guard Will Shannon (12.8 points, 4.5 assists) each come back with the aim of taking things a step farther for the Hawks. They actually beat Hanford twice in the regular season before dropping the title game.

See last season's Central Section boys basketball stat leaders

5. Hanford
Head coach: Brad Felder
2014-15 record: 27-5

The Bullpups won the Division II title and then posted a win over Hamilton (Los Angeles) before losing in double overtime to Compton in the regional playoffs. Guard Juwuane Hughes (5-11) is back for his fourth varsity season after Pretty 30 recognition. Six seniors have graduated, but considering there were 19 players on the roster, there is plenty of continuity coming back.