MaxPreps 2016-17 Nebraska preseason high school boys basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Aguek Arop's highlights vs. Overland Colorado
See the Omaha South star in action.


1. Omaha South
Head coach: Bruce Chubick
2015-16 record: 28-1

The defending champions suffered heavy losses due to graduation. But Chubick's club is always in the thick of the Nebraska big school boys basketball race. Back and ready to guide Omaha South to its third-straight state championship game is first team All-State selection Aguek Arop, who averaged 15.6 points a contest a year ago as a junior.

See the MaxPreps Nebraska boys basketball computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard

2. Papillion-LaVista (Papillion)
Head coach: Dan Moore
2015-16 record: 22-5

With plenty of experience returning, and a roster full of competitiveness, Moore may be poised to guide Papillion-LaVista to the school's first big school state title game since 2013 and to its first state championship since 1993. Four starters return for Moore, including a pair of all-state players in junior Ed Chang and senior Ayo Akinwole.

See the MaxPreps Nebraska boys basketball stat leaders

3. Omaha Central
Head coach: Ben Holling
2015-16 record: 18-7

A three-year drought from the Nebraska Class A state championship game could be nearing its end this winter for the Eagles. Holling returns a solid nucleus from a year ago that promises to be a contender. Junior Roman Behrens and senior Isaiah Poor Bear-Chandler hope to steer Central to its first state title game since 2013, when the Eagles won their final of seven state basketball titles in eight seasons.

See the MaxPreps Nebraska boys basketball photos

4. Lincoln Northeast
Head coach: David Mercer
2015-16 record: 16-10 With the return of seven players that scored at least four points a game a year ago, Mercer may well have the roster that gets the Rockets playing at the level of the Lincoln Northeast teams that won four straight Class A state championships from 1995-98. Leading the way for Rocket Nation this winter is second team All-State senior guard Tyson Shadegg, who ripped the cords for 18.7 points a game as a junior. Sophomore Malcolm Helmstadter-Whitlow was good for 16.5 points per outing in 2015-16, while senior Trace Tupper poured in 15.8 points.

See the MaxPreps Nebraska boys basketball playoff brackets

5. Norfolk
Head coach: Tony Siske
2015-16 record: 17-9

Norfolk's stay in the Class A boys state basketball tournament was much too short for Panther fans. But good news awaits Siske's club. Four players who averaged at least 4.6 points a contest last winter return, including leading scorer senior Logan Strom, who averaged more than 16 points an outing a year ago. Lane McCallum is back for his senior season after scoring 10.2 points last winter.