MaxPreps 2016-2017 Louisiana preseason high school boys basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. University Lab (Baton Rouge)
Head coach: Joe Spencer
2015-16 record: 31-4

The Cubs dominated last year with an impressive 31-4 overall record and nabbed the Class 3A state title with a convincing 98-65 victory in the championship game. University Lab finished last season as the No. 2 squad in the state and demand respect heading into this year.

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2. Natchitoches Central
Head coach: Micah Coleman
2015-16 record: 32-3



The Chiefs ended last season as the No. 1 team in the state after upsetting Scotlandville to capture the Class 5A state title. Natchitoches Central returns four-star combo guard Brandon Rachel and a boatload of talent. The senior LSU commit dropped a team-high 24 points and 11 rebounds in the state title win - and he's primed for a big sendoff.

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3. Scotlandville (Baton Rouge)
Head coach: Carlos Sample
2015-16 record: 34-3
Scotlandville finished last season as the No. 4 team in the state after losing a heartbreaker in the Class 5A state title game. But the Hornets reload with five-star junior Ja'vonte Smart. The LSU commit averaged 22.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game last season.

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4. Bossier
Head coach: Jeremiah Williams
2015-16 record: 27-10

Bossier completed last season by claiming the Class 4A state title. The Bearkats return an unselfish unit that had four players average over five points per game last season. Bossier is a scrappy bunch that will run an uptempo style offense and a suffocating defense with their smaller lineup. The Bearkats can run with any team in the state.



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5. Madison Prep Academy (Baton Rouge)
Head coach: Jeff Jones
2015-16 record: 34-4

Madison Prep Academy is charged up after hoisting the Class 2A state title last year. The Chargers bring back one of the top duos in the state in Western Kentucky commit Josh Anderson and four-star small forward Josh LeBlanc. Both players were All-state members last season and are poised to return the Chargers to the promise land once again.