MaxPreps 2012-13 Missouri preseason boys basketball Fab 5

MaxPreps 2012-13 Missouri Boys Basketball Preseason Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard

1. Nixa
Head Coach: Jay Osborne
2011-12 Finish: 30-2 overall, 7-0 in Central Ozarks - Large; Lost in Class 5 Championship game to McCluer North

Nixa will go as far as its two key returning seniors, Austin Ruder and Jalen Norman, will take them. Ruder, a sharp-shooting 6-foot-3 guard, led last year's squad with 17.9 points per game. Norman, a versatile 6-5, 205-pound forward who averaged 16.5 points and 10.6 rebounds per game last season, will create matchup problems for opposing defenses and help open up the outside for his co-star.

The Eagles lost their first and last games of the season last year, with 30 straight wins sandwiched in between. With Ruder and Norman at the helm, and defending champion McCluer North graduating many top players, this year's Nixa team is the favorite to win the state title.

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2. DeSmet Jesuit (St. Louis)
Head Coach: Kevin Poelker
2011-12 Finish: 19-9 (6-3 in Metro Catholic)

After a disappointing 6-3 run in Metro Catholic League play last season, DeSmet Jesuit reloads this year with the return of seven seniors. The most important of those for the Spartans will be 6-8, 200-pound Nolan Berry, who committed to Butler last December.

The grandson of St. Louis basketball legend and Hall of Famer Ed Macauley, Berry is just as effective on the perimeter as he is with his back to the basket. His passing ability makes it difficult for teams to double him, and the Spartans will look for Berry to elevate his teammates. Berry and 5-10 senior point guard Jimmy Barton played all summer on the St. Louis Eagles AAU squad. Barton is a tenacious competitor and superb distributor and ball-handler.

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3. Lee's Summit West
Head Coach: Michael Schrieber
2011-12 Finish: 28-4 (7-3 in Suburban-Mid 6), Lost in Class 5 semifinals to state champion McCluer North

The departure of star guard Shaquille Harrison (now at Tulsa) hurts the Titans, but they have a strong core of returning players led by 6-foot-7 senior Trevor Gregory, who put up 17 points and 12 rebounds in last year's semifinal loss to McCluer North.

While many may have considered Harrison to be a one-man show last season, Gregory and the rest of Lee's Summit West's roster are out to prove that last year's first-ever trip to the state semifinals was no fluke. Also contributing will be Shaquille Harrison's younger brother Monte, a 6-1 guard who opened eyes last year as a sophomore.

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4. Grandview
Head Coach: Randy Farris
2011-12 Finish: 22-7 (9-1 in Suburban-Small 6), Lost to Liberty North in Class 4 quarterfinals

While the Bulldogs lost their top three scorers from last season, they have two juniors who are ready to fill the gap. Tyrone Taylor, a 6-2 guard, averaged 11.6 points and 2.9 assists per game last year as a sophomore, while 6-8 center Nelson Nweke averaged 7.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in the middle.

With Nweke solidifying the defensive end and Taylor pushing the tempo on offense, Grandview has an excellent chance to make it farther than last year's quarterfinal exit. Taylor and Nweke will also have to be leaders on this young team with no seniors. Junior Wesley Nosakhare, a 6-6 inside presence, combines with Nweke to give Grandview an intimidating front line.

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5. Imagine College Prep (St. Louis)
Head Coach: Tony Irons
2011-12 Finish: 23-7, Lost to Hillcrest in Class 4 semifinals

The Bears return one of the most exciting players in the state in 6-1 guard Martavian Payne. After transferring to Imagine following his freshman year, the senior has steadily taken on a leadership role and hopes to take his team all the way to the state title this season.

He'll receive some help with senior backcourt mate Kevin Baker. Combined, the guards provide tremendous quickness and scoring ability from the perimeter. Juniors Miles Nettles (6-4) and Emmanuel Vaughn (6-4) are the inside presence for the guard-oriented team.