Syracuse commit Chinonso Obokoh and Bishop Kearney could be one of the greatest teams in Syracuse-area history.
Photo by Chris Cecere
MaxPreps 2012-13 New York Boys Basketball Preseason Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard1. Christ the King (Middle Village)Head coach: Joe Arbitello
2011-12 finish: 19-8
No rebuilding that begins with having to replace guard Omar Calhoun (UConn) can be considered simple, but the Royals are imposing, beginning with
Jon Severe (6-2, Sr., G),
Isaiah Lewis (6-3, Sr., G),
Jordan Fuchs (6-6, Sr., F) and
Adonis De La Rosa (6-9, Sr., C).
Andrew Walker (6-1, Jr., PG) transferred in from St. Anthony's in New Jersey, and the recent return to New York from Florida by
Rawle Alkins (6-3, Fr., G) seals the deal for the CHSAA's standard bearer.
View the MaxPreps Preseason Xcellent 25 National Boys Basketball Rankings2. Bishop Kearney (Rochester)Head coach: Jon Boon
2011-12 finish: 17-7, NYSPHSAA Class A semifinalist
The body of work doesn't qualify the Kings' frontcount as the best in Rochester-area history — yet — but
Thomas Bryant (6-8, F, Soph.), Syracuse signee
Chinonso Obokoh (6-9, F, Sr.) and newcomer
God's Power Ogide (6-10, C, Jr.) form an imposing foundation to tackle an ambitious schedule across the Northeast. Ogibe, a transfer from Washington, D.C., is more of a space-eater than fellow Nigerian Obokoh — who gave Kearney a decisive defensive edge as a high school rookie.
View all of our New York boys basketball photo galleries3. South Shore (Brooklyn)Head coach: Michael Beckles
2011-12 finish: 17-9
Terrence Samuel (6-3, Sr., PG) will be the latest in the line of NYC point guards to play for UConn, and he'll be a worthy successor to the likes of Taliek Brown, Kemba Walker and Omar Calhoun in Storrs.
Shamiek Sheppard (6-5, Sr., F) and
Doudmy Saint Hilare (6-1, Jr., G) will free Samuel up to score beyond his 13 points a game a year ago.
View last season's New York boys basketball stats leaderboard4. Long Island Lutheran (Brookville)Head coach: John Buck
2011-12 finish: 23-6, Federation Class A champion
UConn recruit
Kentan Facey (6-8, Sr., C) and
K.j. Lee (6-3, Sr., G) give
Chris Atkinson (5-11, Soph., PG) two no-brainer options for putting notches in the assists column. The scarcity of big-school teams in the Association of Independent Schools gives LuHi a relatively easy path to the Federation Tournament, but the regular-season diet of PSAL, CHSAA and upstate public-school foes is great prep for the postseason drive.
View last season's New York boys basketball Freeman Rankings5. Lincoln (Brooklyn)Head coach: Dwayne "Tiny" Morton
2011-12 finish: 19-9
Nothing eats at the Railsplitters more than having to play second fiddle to 2012 Federation Class AA champ Boys & Girls. Lincoln should clear that hurdle and challenge South Shore for PSAL superiority even without enigmatic Ethan Telfair (5-10, Sr., PG), who's resurfaced at Quest Prep in Las Vegas.
Isaiah Whitehead (6-4, Jr., G) has the rep; this should be the season he confirms his credentials as the best player in NYC.
Tafari Whittingham (6-7, Sr., F) is the key post presence.
View last season's New York boys basketball playoff brackets
