MaxPreps 2012 Preseason Xcellent 25 Basketball preview: No. 3 Prestonwood Christian

Key returners:

Julius Randle (6-8, Sr., F), No. 4 overall prospect in Class of 2013 Top 100

Marquan Botley (5-9, Sr., G)

Chas Taylor (5-10, Sr., G)

Newcomers:

Evan Peters (6-3, Fr., G)

Buddy Kennedy (6-2, Fr., G)

D.J. McGee (5-10, Fr., G)

Circle the date:
Randle vs. Jabari Parker will be the storyline when Prestonwood Christian takes on preseason No. 1 Simeon in an ESPNU-televised affair Dec. 13. Another attractive pairing comes at the Spalding Hoophall Classic in January as the Lions face reigning California Player of the Year Aaron Gordon and Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.).

Tournament time:
PCA is one of a dozen nationally ranked programs headed to the City of Palms Classic in December. The Lions made a mildly surprising run to the tournament title last year in Fort Myers and head there with a chance to become the first back-to-back champion at the event since Westchester (Los Angeles) in 2000 and 2001. There will also be a January trip to Springfield, Mo., for the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions where preseason Xcellent 25 teams Montverde Academy (Fla.), Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.) and St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) await.