Video: Early Contenders 2015-16 - High Point Christian Academy
See last year's preview of one of the top teams in the state.2016-17 North Carolina Preseason Boys Basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. High Point Christian AcademyHead coach: Joseph Cooper
2015-16 record: 24-6
Joseph Cooper takes over the head coaching duties for the Cougars after former head coach Brandon Clifford decided to step down following a NCISAA Class 3-A championship loss last season. HPCA is historically one of the most dominant programs in the state, but that does mean expectations are high for the first-year head coach.
The Cougars graduated their two top scorers, but senior guard
Jalen Seegars returns after ranking second on his team with 4.6 rebounds per game.
This may be a rebuilding year for the Cougars, but five of their six losses last season came against teams ranked in the top 25 nationally. Describing last season as disappointing says a lot about the expectations for this program.
See the North Carolina boys basketball computer rankings, presented by the Army National Guard2. Providence Day (Charlotte)Head coach: Brian Field
2015-16 record: 30-4
The Chargers from Charlotte are the reigning NCISAA Class 3-A champions and the team to beat in North Carolina. After a thrilling victory in the championship game against High Point Christian, the Cougars will ride a 20-game winning streak to start the 2016 season.
Despite losing a couple highly touted recruits, MaxPreps All-American guard
Devon Dotson returns for his junior year after leading Class 3A in scoring (16.4 points per game), assists (4.6) and steals (1.9). Dotson has offers from Kansas, North Carolina, Florida and other top programs.
With High Point Christian in a rebuilding year and the Chargers returning some of the best players in the state, there is no reason to believe Providence Day can't repeat as champion.
See the North Carolina boys basketball stat leaders3. Jay M. Robinson (Concord)Head coach: Lavar Batts Sr.
2015-16 record: 29-3
As for the public schools in the state of North Carolina, the Robinson Bulldogs are the 3A reigning champions after a 29-3 season. The Bulldogs squeezed through the bracket last year and won the semifinals and championship by a total of five points. Nevertheless, Robinson welcomes back the top recruit in the state for the 2016-2017 season in
Lavar Batts Jr.
Batts, the son of head coach Lavar Batts Sr., ranked second in the South Piedmont Conference 3A in scoring with 20.7 points per game. Batts Jr. also added 3.8 rebounds and five assists per contest for good measure. Batts will be joined by senior forward
Javonte Misenheimer, who was fourth on his team in scoring (6.3 points per game) and third in rebounding (4.8 per game).
While a championship-caliber team needs multiple players to step up, it will be up to the father-son, head coach-star player duo to lead the Bulldogs back to the promise land.
See the MaxPreps North Carolina boys basketball photos4. Greensboro DayHead coach: Fred Johnson
2015-16 record: 28-5
Greensboro Day suffered the most heartbreaking loss of the playoffs last year by losing 51-50 against the eventual runner-up High Point Cougars. Head coach Fred Johnson and company will be hungry to avenge the loss and look for their ninth state championship in school history.
Joining the charge will be the 6-foot 7-inch monstrous Temple commit
J.P. Moorman, who is the leader of this Bengal basketball team. Junior guard
John Newman will be the Bengals' sharp shooter and is also one of the top recruits for 2018.
Greensboro Day is one of the more decorated programs in the state of North Carolina. The 2016-2017 season could see yet another banner being raised in Greensboro.
See the MaxPreps national boys basketball videos5. Northwest Guilford (Greensboro)Head coach: Lee Reavis
2015-16 record: 23-4
The other public school powerhouse to look out for in North Carolina will be the Northwest Guilford Vikings. Head coach Lee Reavis returns four of his five starters from last season. In fact, the Vikings graduated just three of the players from last year's roster, and the returning players accounted for over 76 percent of the 2,040 points scored.
The Piedmont Triad league leader in points with 19.3 per game is one of those returners for the Vikings in the name of
Tre Turner. Not far behind with 11.8 points per game and also returning is senior point guard
Jalen Spicer. Spicer ranked second in the state with 8.2 assists per game.
The list goes on and on for the returning Vikings. Whether or not they can make a deep run in Division 4A will be up to those same returners to lead the rest of the team on and off the court.
