Who will be preseason No. 1 in high school basketball?

Identifying high school basketball's preseason No. 1 wasn't a particularly difficult task last season.

Riding a string of three-straight Illinois Class 4A state titles, Jabari Parker and Simeon (Chicago) were an easy choice for the top spot (remember, we rank independent programs like Findlay Prep, Huntington Prep and Oak Hill Academy in our Academy Top 10).

The decision isn't quite as clear cut this year.

The preseason Xcellent 25 won't be released until early November, but here's an early look at the powerhouse programs in the running for No. 1:

Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)

2012-13 record: 34-2, Open Division state champions, No. 4 national ranking

What we like: After earning National Junior of the Year honors from MaxPreps last season, Stanley Johnson will be looking to cap a storied run at Mater Dei with his fourth state title. The Monarchs are 100-7 since the 6-foot-6 power guard arrived on campus.

Though head coach Gary McKnight will miss Elijah Brown and Jordan Strawberry in the backcourt, Johnson can play virtually any position at the high school level and will fill in the gaps as needed.

Senior Mario Soto (6-5, F) and sophomore twin towers M.J. Cage and Jayce Johnson – both in the 6-10 range – will be key members of the supporting cast.

Cause for concern: The Monarchs have fallen victim to classic trap games each of the past two seasons. Last January, St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) hosted and routed a 20-0 Mater Dei squad by 14 points. The previous season it was Gill St. Bernard's (Gladstone, N.J.) stunning the California dynasty at the Cancer Research Classic in West Virginia.

Whitney Young (Chicago)

2012-13 record: 27-4, No. 10 national ranking

What we like: If wings L.J. Peak (who returned to Gaffney, S.C.) and Joseph Toye (transferred to La Lumiere) had stayed put, there would be no need for this debate. The Dolphins, who spent several weeks at No. 1 a year ago, are blessed with the nation's top post combo in 6-10 Jahlil Okafor and 6-9 Paul White, a Georgetown verbal commitment.

Point guard Miles Reynolds is also back after posting 12.2 points and 2.9 assists per game as a junior. Six other varsity players return to join that trio.

Cause for concern: The schedule will be brutal. There are trips to the City of Palms Classic in Florida and Les Schwab Invitational in Oregon sandwiched around Christmas, then another trip west late in the season for a showdown with Mater Dei at the Nike Extravaganza.

Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)

2012-13 record: 29-3, Division I state champions, No. 11 national ranking

What we like: Like Whitney Young, the Gaels will feature an impressive duo in the post with 7-footer Stephen Zimmerman and 6-9 Chase Jeter. Zimmerman is in the conversation for top prospect in the 2015 class.

Gorman has been knocking on the national championship door since the 2008-09 season. Could this be the year for a breakthrough?

Cause for concern: Chances are the Gaels will have to go through both Mater Dei and Whitney Young at some point in the season. Bishop Gorman and Mater Dei will both be in the field at the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas (played on Gorman's home floor). The Gaels join Whitney Young in the 16-team bracket at the Les Schwab Invitational.

Plano West (Plano, Texas)

2012-13 record: 19-14

What we like: Outside of Kentucky, nobody had a better offseason when it comes to talent acquisition than Plano West. Three of the top four scorers for the Wolves are expected to return – including 6-6 junior wing D.J. Hogg (16.1 points per game) and dual-sport stud Soso Jamabo (14.7).

Returning to his local public school from private powerhouse Prestonwood Christian, Ohio State verbal commitment and five-star prospect Mickey Mitchell leads the list of newcomers. Junior big man Tyler Davis (6-9, 270) and Avery Johnson Jr. – son of the former NBA player and coach of the same name – add to the riches at West.

Cause for concern: Not much of a track record for this group at the high school level, collectively, though that may be offset by their club experience. With so many questions surrounding this new-look roster, putting West in the No. 1 conversation is high risk but the talent is too great to ignore.

Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.)

2012-13 record: 21-9

What we like: The Wildcats have a championship heritage under head coach Douglas Lipscomb (state titles in 1994, 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2009) and one the most talented trios in America returning.

Senior Elijah Staley – a Mississippi State football pledge – is back after earning All-State honors as a junior. He will be flanked by a pair of Top 20 2015 prospects in 6-9 Daniel Giddens and 6-4 Jaylen Brown.

Cause for concern: Wheeler reached the state semifinals a year ago and gained valuable experience with a young team. But it's a huge leap from being a nine-loss team to a national championship contender. Can the Wildcats grow up in a hurry?