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

Video: Cassius Stanley highlights
One of the top sophomores in the country leads No. 5 Harvard-Westlake.


Note: Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth), Bishop Montgomery (Torrance), Mater Dei (Santa Ana), Chino Hills and Crespi (Encino) are included in the California overall Fab 5, so the Southern Section Fab 5 includes the next five best.

1. Redondo Union (Redondo Beach)
Head coach: Reggie Morris
2015-16 record: 28-7

The Sea Hawks return leading scorer Ryse Williams, a 6-4 senior shooting guard who averaged 14.8 points per game last season. He's committed to Loyola Marymount. The team's next top four scorers graduated but look for Jailen Moore, a 6-1 guard, to step up into a bigger role. Quinn Collins, a 6-7 junior post, should be a big defensive presence down low. Morris took over a team that went 10-17 in 2011-12 and since then the Sea Hawks have combined for a record of 106-29 in four seasons.

See the MaxPreps California boys basketball computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard

2. Alemany (Mission Hills)
Head coach: Tray Meeks
2015-16 record: 24-9

The Warriors lost top scorer Shacquille Dawkins to graduation, but return their top senior guards, 6-4 Ernie Sears (12.7 ppg) and 6-1 Brandon Davis (11.4). Under Meeks, Alemany won a state title in 2011-12 with a 33-4 record and over the last three seasons the Warriors have won 68 games.

See the MaxPreps California boys basketball stat leaders

3. Oak Park
Head coach: Aaron Shaw
2015-16 record: 28-7

The Eagles return two of the top juniors in the section in 6-9 power forward Riley Battin (24.3 points, 14.1 rebounds per game) and 6-4 guard Wes Slajchert (11.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, 6.6 assists per game). Junior Ezekiel Richards, a 6-11 post, gives Oak Park more presence down low. Half of the 12 on the roster are 6-4 or taller.

See the MaxPreps California boys basketball photos

4. Long Beach Poly (Long Beach)
Head coach: Shelton Diggs
2015-16 record: 24-11 The Jackrabbits are led by one of the section's top power forwards in Zafir Williams, a 6-5 senior who averaged better than 19 points and 10 rebounds per game last year. He's committed to Loyola Marymount. Junior Darryl Polk Jr. (7.2 ppg), a super quick 5-8 point guard, should also be counted on for even more production this season.

See the MaxPreps California boys basketball playoff brackets

5. Harvard-Westlake (Studio City)
Head coach: David Rebibo
2015-16 record: 27-8

The defending state Division IV champions return one of the top sophomores in the country in 6-5 do-everything Cassius Stanley. He had 16 points including an impressive dunk in the state finals last year, a 66-49 win over Palma (Salinas). Harvard-Westlake looks for a fourth state title.