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

Video: Romeo Langford throws down monster jam
See the New Albany star turn in an amazing two points with style.


1. New Albany
Head coach: Jim Shannon
2015-16 record: 27-1

The defending Class 4A state champions will begin the year with three returning starters and a 24-game winning streak. The center piece is 6-foot-4 junior Romeo Langford, who averaged 30.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.7 steals, shot 70 percent from 2-point range and is sought by most of the top Division I colleges. Other key veterans are 6-0 senior point guard Isaac Hibbard, who averaged 14.7 points, 2.2 steals and 1.6 assists, and 5-10 junior Sean East, who averaged 6.1 points, 2.9 assists and shot 84 percent from the free throw line. The Bulldogs' JV team was 16-4 last year.

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2. Lawrence North (Indianapolis)
Head coach: Jack Keefer
2015-16 record: 19-6

The Wildcats return three starters - two of them in their third year and they are just juniors. The most experienced players are juniors Kevin Easley Jr. (6-7, 210), who averaged 11.7 points and 6.3 rebounds, and Antwaan Cushingberry (5-9), who averaged 10.3 points and dished out 133 assists. They are joined by senior Ra Kpedi (6-9, 220), who averaged 9.4 points and 6.5 rebounds. In 44 years, coach Jack Keefer has won four state titles and compiled a 743-302 record.

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3. North Central (Indianapolis)
Head coach: Doug Mitchell
2015-16 record: 22-4 The Panthers, who return three starters, will be led by Mr. Basketball favorite Kris Wilkes, a 6-8, 200-pound senior who averaged 23.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, had 63 blocks and shot 58 percent from the field. Other key returnees are 6-1 senior point guard Mateo Rivera, who averaged 11.9 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists, and 6-5 junior Emmanuel Little, who averaged 7.8 points and 7.7 rebounds.

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4. McCutcheon (Lafayette)
Head coach: Rick Peckinpaugh
2015-16 record: 28-4

The Mavericks, who lost the Class 4A state title game by three points, will rely on three returning starters who all averaged in double figures. Junior Robert Phinisee (6-1) averaged 19 points, 6.2 assists and 4.3 rebounds. Senior Eddy Collins (5-10) averaged 11.5 points, while another senior, 6-4 Haden Deaton, averaged 15 points and 5.1 rebounds. The Mavericks' JV team posted a 19-1 record last year.

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5. South Bend Riley
Head coach: Mark Johnson
2015-16 record: 22-6

The Wildcats have four returning starters from a team that lost a double-overtime semifinal in the Class 4A regional last year after winning it the previous season. And three of the starters still are only juniors: highly recruited 6-6 Damezi Anderson, who averaged 18.1 points and 7.4 rebounds; 6-5 Shamar Dillard, who averaged 9.5 points and 4.0 rebounds; and 6-4 Rylen Grundy, who averaged 4.3 points and 3.5 rebounds. The key returning senior is 5-9 Maurice Scott jr., who averaged 9.0 points and an impressive 8.3 assists in his third year as the starting point guard. He is the brother of WNBA star Skylar Diggins.