Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 high school basketball rankings: Players to watch, storylines for No. 21 Oak Hill Academy

While this Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) roster might lack the elite five-star prospects it's become accustomed to over the years, a strong mix of senior leadership and talented underclassmen keep the No. 21 Warriors in the mix for a GEICO Nationals invitation.

The additions of five-star juniors Dior Johnson and Zion Cruz didn't pan out for Oak Hill — both have left the program — but legendary coach Steve Smith has pieced together a competitive roster. Top 25 prospects Caleb Foster and M.J. Rice join with Xavier Brown, Camryn Carter and AJ Williams as Warrior newcomers.

After finishing last season No. 6 in final MaxPreps Top 25, key returners Jalen Reed and Jalen Ricks provide depth and experience for a roster with enough talent to climb the rankings against an incredibly challenging national schedule.

Oak Hill Academy is competing in the newly formed National Interscholastic Basketball League, which features powerhouse national programs including Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (Chattanooga, Tenn.), La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.), Legacy Early College (Greenville, S.C.), Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.), Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.) and Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah). Players to watch