MaxPreps 2012 Preseason Xcellent 25 basketball preview: No. 7 Rainier Beach

Key returners:

MarQuis Davis (5-9, Sr., G), 2012 Class 3A state tournament MVP

Djuan Piper (6-6, Sr., G/F)

Will Dorsey (5-9, Sr., G)

Elijah Foster (6-6, Jr., F)

Naim Ladd (5-8, Jr., G)

Fuquan Niles (6-9, Sr., F)

Newcomers:

Shaqquan Aaron (6-7, Jr., G), No. 11 overall prospect in Class of 2014

Circle the date:
Metro League grudge matches against rivals like Franklin are always a big deal in Seattle, but fans are already anticipating Beach's showdown with Bothell at the King Holiday Hoopfest on Jan. 21. The Vikings will enter the season as the state's top-ranked 3A team while Bothell – led by UCLA commit Zach LaVine and 6-foot-8 junior Josh Martin – will be in the conversation for the No. 1 ranking in 4A.

Tournament time:
Rainier Beach will get its opportunity to make a major national statement in late December at the MaxPreps Holiday Classic. The field will be well-stocked in Palm Springs, Calif., including preseason national No. 2 Fort Bend Travis (Richmond, Texas), four-time defending Georgia AAAA state champ Miller Grove (Lithonia) and Loyola (Los Angeles).