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

* Bishop Montgomery (Torrance), Centennial (Corona), Chino Hills, Mater Dei (Santa Ana) and Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) are featured in the California overall Fab 5, and thus are not listed for the Southern Section Fab 5.

1. Long Beach Poly
Head coach: Shelton Diggs
2014-15 record: 26-5

The Jackrabbits won the Southern Section's Open Division consolation bracket, then won a game in the regional Division I playoffs. K.J. Feagin was an all-Open Division player last season but he has moved on, and the program will look for another star to jump in. Forward Zafir Williams may be that guy, as he tallied 11.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per game last season as a sophomore. Drew Buggs averaged 8.8 points and four assists per game last season as a junior and will be expected to take over some of Feagin's duties at guard.

See last season's Southern Section boys basketball computer rankings

2. Alemany (Mission Hills)
Head coach: Tray Meeks
2014-15 record: 23-9

The Warriors went 0-2 in the Open Division playoffs but did win twice in the Division III regional playoffs before falling to Cathedral. Senior point guard Shacquille Dawkins (5-foot-8) was an all-Open Division choice as a junior after averaging 18 points per game. The other double-digit scorer from last year returns as well, as 6-8 forward Daron Henson tallied 13.2 points and 5.5 rebounds last season. Those two can propel Alemany to loftier places if all goes according to plan.

See MaxPreps Southern Section boys basketball pro photos

3. Cathedral (Los Angeles)
Head coach: William Middlebrooks
2014-15 record: 22-8

The Phantoms beat Redondo Union and lost to Bishop Montgomery in the Southern Section Open Division playoffs, then moved to Division III for the regional playoffs and reached the final before succumbing to Damien. Theyreturn their three leading scorers from last season. Guard Milan Acquaah (6-2) is back after an all-Open Division campaign where he averaged 19.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Senior guard Kobe Paras (6-6) averaged 15 points and Lucas Siewert (6-10) returns down low after pouring in 11.1 points per contest.

See last season's California boys basketball playoff brackets

4. Damien (La Verne)
Head coach: Mike LeDuc
2014-15 record: 29-5

The Spartans have a new coach in LeDuc, and he inherits a team that went 1-2 in the Southern Section Open Division playoffs before winning the Division III state title. Jeremy Hemsley graduated and now guys like Bryce Peters (senior 6-4 guard) and Justin Hemsley (junior 6-5 forward) will be the ones in charge of defending the crown.

See last season's Southern Section boys basketball stat leaders

5. Crespi (Encino)
Head coach: Russell White
2014-15 record: 29-7

The Celts took a different path to their state title, winning the Southern Section 4AA title and Division IV state title after going 9-3 in the Mission League. Division 4AA Player of the Year De' Anthony Melton (6-4 guard, 15.5 points, 9.2 rebounds) comes back for his senior year and sophomore Brandon Williams (6-0 guard) was also named to the All-4AA Team.