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

1. Sacred Heart (Waterbury)
Head coach: Jon Carroll
2014-15 record: 28-0

No one could stop the Hearts last season and they won't be challenged much this season (more on that in a moment). The two-time Class S champions have a ludicrous amount of talent led by senior guard Mustapha Heron (Auburn). Classmates Tyrn Flowers (6-foot-8, forward) and point guard Charles Fisher both return to the starting lineup. Senior forward John Riddick (6-9) will take on a larger role. Sacred Heart travel out of state in January to play Foothills Christian Academy (Calif.) and Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.).

See last season's Connecticut boys basketball computer rankings

2. Weaver (Hartford)
Head coach: Reggie Hatchett
2014-15 record: 26-2



Good luck finding a team with a better guard trio than the defending Class M champions. Senior KeAndre Fair (17.1 points per game, 3.3 steals per game) is a three-time all-state pick and closing in on 2,000 points. Juniors Jaecee Martin (13.7 ppg, 6.2 assists per game, 4.4 spg) and Chaylyn Martin (12.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg) add firepower in the backcourt. Classmate Andre Lyons (6-6, forward) ran wild in last season's state final (23 points, 11 rebounds). The Beavers will be challenged this season as they were moved up to Class LL because of their past success.

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3. Hillhouse (New Haven)
Head coach: Renard Sutton
2014-15 record: 21-5

This list would be incomplete without the state's winningest program (state-record 22 CIAC titles). Junior guard Joseph Kasperzyk averaged 12 points, six assists and two steals last year for the Academics. They cost themselves a chance to play for the LL title last season as they missed 16 of 30 free throws in a 59-57 loss to Fairfield Prep. They've got the talent to get to the final this winter as well.

See last season's Connecticut boys basketball playoff brackets

4. Crosby (Waterbury)
Head coach: Nick Augelli
2014-15 record: 20-6



The Bulldogs were the only team in the state that took the fight to Sacred Heart and they did it twice, including a 68-66 loss at the buzzer in the Naugatuck Valley League title game. Crosby wasn't expected to be a threat, either, as it was young. It returns four starters — senior point guard Jordan Booker (14.8 ppg, 4 apg), senior center Daniel Jones (7.9 rpg), junior forward Jeremiah Kendall (8.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg) and junior forward Tyairus Sands (14.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.2 apg).

See last season's Connecticut boys basketball stat leaders

5. Fairfield Prep
Head coach: Leo Redgate
2014-15 record: 25-2

The Jesuits have become a regular at the Class LL final, as they've appeared in four of the previous five. It was last year's team that finally broke through and won the program its first state championship since 1997. Prep returns two starters from that team — senior guard Rich Kelly (15.8 ppg) and 6-6 junior forward Patrick Harding. Senior guard Matt Gerics is a tenacious defender.