MaxPreps 2014-15 Nebraska preseason boys basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Bellevue West
2013-14 finish: 22-6, defending Class A state champion
Head coach: Doug Woodard

After dethroning four-time defending Class A state champion Omaha Central in opening-round action at the state tournament a year ago, the Thunderbirds went on to win the title for themselves. Malik Hluchoweckyj and Kael Strawmier, who signed basketball letters-of-intent with Bowling Green and Briar Cliff, respectively, return in hopes of winning a second-straight Class A state championship of their own. C.J. Johnson was tabbed to the honorable mention All-Metro Team a year ago along with Hluchoweckyj, who landed on the first team.

View last season's Nebraska boys basketball rankings, presented by the Army National Guard

2. Omaha South
2013-14 finish: 20-6, lost in Class A state quarterfinals
Head coach: Bruce Chubick

After slipping to Norfolk 70-66 in three overtimes in the opening round of the Class A state basketball tournament a year ago, Chubick has enough talent to make it back to Nebraska's March Madness and make a deeper run this year. Honorable mention All-Metro Team selectees Karlon Mcspadden, Makoor Arop and Aguek Arop return with the intent of making that happen.

View last season's Nebraska boys basketball playoff brackets

3. Omaha Central
2013-14 finish: 22-5, lost in Class A state quarterfinals
Head coach: Ben Holling

Winners of 10 Class A state championships and entrants into 19 state finals, the Eagles' season came to an earlier than normal conclusion a year ago with a 68-50 loss to eventual champion Bellevue West in opening round action at the state basketball tournament. Although Holling returns only five varsity players from a year ago, any Fab 5 would be incomplete without the inclusion of the Eagles, who won four straight state titles beginning in 2010. K'Zahn Jimerson, Marcus Polk, Maguy Agau, DaiShon Neal and Zaye Turnbo return in hopes of continuing the fine Central tradition this winter.

View last season's Nebraska boys basketball stat leaders

4. South Sioux City
2013-14 finish: 14-10, lost in opening round of the Class A-6 district tournament
Head coach: Terry Comstock

South Sioux City lost a heartbreaker in the A-6 district tournament and failed to make it to the state tournament a year ago. But Comstock returns three starters and five lettermen in hopes of taking his squad to that next level this season. Alex Borchers (13.8 ppg), who dished out 18 assists in a 72-48 win over Sergeant Bluff-Luton (Iowa) a year ago, is the Cardinals' leading returning scorer from 2013-14. Seth Hansen and Tanner Christensen are also returning regulars from last winter.

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5. Scotus (Columbus)
2013-14 finish: 23-5, Class C1 state consolation champion
Head coach: Jeff Ohnoutka

Ohnoutka returns Scotus' all-time leading scorer Grant Lahm, a third team Super-State selection from a year ago. Fellow 2013-14 starters Miles Putnam, Cody Mroczek and Dalton Taylor return, as do four other letter winners. Ohnoutka expects to have a deep team this season.