Kyran Jones, Bowling Green
Photo by Daniel Hyravy
2015-16 Kentucky Boys Basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Bowling GreenHead coach: D.G. Sherrill
2014-15 record: 31-6
The purples won't just be good this year, but watch out for next year as well. Led by the junior trio of
Deangelo Wilson,
Kyran Jones and
Terry Taylor, the Purples reached the Sweet 16 finals before losing to Owensboro 74-58. Since 2007-08, all under Sherrill, Bowling Green has won 27, 28, 27, 25, 29, 18, 29 and 31 games, respectively.
See last season's Kentucky boys basketball computer rankings2. Ballard (Louisville)Head coach: Chris Renner
2014-15 record: 32-3
Thirteen players return from last year's team that reached the state Sweet 16 quarterfinals, including seven who were sophomores last season. One of their top players is 5-8 senior guard
Jamil Wilson. The Bruins, who have won at least 24 games seven straight years, have won three state titles: 1977, 1988 and 1999.
See MaxPreps Kentucky boys basketball photos
3. Henderson County (Henderson)Head coach: Tyler Smithhart
2014-15 record: 27-4
At least 11 players return from last year's team that finished No. 5 in the state and won more games than any in the program's history since 2005-06. The Colonels averaged 64 points a game last season while allowing just 54 per game.
See last season's Kentucky boys basketball playoff brackets
4. Newport Central Catholic (Newport)Head coach: Grant Brannen
2014-15 record: 28-5
The Thoroughbreds lost just four seniors off last year's team, which outscored opponents last year by an average score of 69-45. Newport Central Catholic has won 136 games over the last five seasons and with 11 returners back, the 2015-16 team could challenge the school record for most points in a season.
See last season's Kentucky boys basketball stat leaders
5. Boyle County (Danville)Head coach: Steve Adams
2014-15 record: 28-7
The Rebels return 13 from last year's roster, including four freshmen and four sophomores from 2014-15. Since 2006-07, Boyle County hadn't won more than 19 games until last year and with so many young players, the Rebels figure to get better.
