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

Video: Ian Cummings' highlights vs. Pinkerton
See the Portsmouth High player in action.


1. Portsmouth
Head coach: Jim Mulvey
2015-16 record: 22-0

This should be interesting. After going 22-0 last season and losing just five Division II games in three years, Portsmouth moves up to Division I this winter for the first time in 10 years. Mulvey, who begins his 11th season, thinks it's time.

"We are really looking forward to the challenge and believe we will be able to hold our own," he said. "Our strength will be a strong nucleus of seven guys, but we'll need to develop our next three our four guys as a strong bench is needed in D-1."

Joey Glynn, A.J. McManus, Shon Parham, Christian Peete, Cody Graham, Mike Sanborne, Alex Tavares will form the core of the Clippers' veteran strength.

See the MaxPreps New Hampshire boys basketball computer rankings, presented by the Army National Guard

2. Merrimack
Head coach: Tim Goodridge
2015-16 record: 14-9

Zak Kerr and Andrew Wojciak are gone from last season's NHIAA Division I finals team, but Merrimack had some good young talent as well in 2015-16, including now-juniors Ian Roberts and Ian Cummings. Both of the latter scored in double figures in the Tomahawks' 60-58 overtime loss to Manchester Central in the 2016 state final. Cummings was considered one of the best sophomores in New Hampshire a year ago.

See the MaxPreps New Hampshire boys basketball stat leaders

3. Winnacunnet (Hampton)
Head coach: Jay McKenna
2015-16 record: 13-9 McKenna will try to steer the Warriors back into state Division I contention again this year behind players such as Michael Lamprey, Seth Provencher, Ben Allen, Jack Schaake and John Simmons. Winnacunnet bowed out of the NHIAA semifinals last season following a 13-point loss to Manchester Central.

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4. Lebanon
Head coach: Kieth Matte
2015-16 record: 22-1

Division II Player of the Year K.J. Matte got Lebanon into the NHIAA Division II tournament final last season, where the Raiders lost to Portsmouth, their only defeat of the season. Matte was held to eight points by Portsmouth's stingy defense, but should fare much better this winter - as should all the Raiders - as Portsmouth has moved to Division I. Lebanon seniors Ryan Milliken and Graham Chickering earned All-State honors as juniors in 2015-16.

See the MaxPreps New Hampshire boys basketball playoff brackets

5. Manchester Memorial
Head coach: Jack Quick
2015-16 record: 13-7

The Crusaders have senior guard Jake Carrier, plus Michael Roumraj and Zach Lubin in tow after going to the NHIAA Division 1 semifinals a year ago. Roumraj, a 5-10 guard, and Lubin, a 6-4 wing, are two of the better juniors in the state.