MaxPreps 2013-14 Connecticut preseason boys basketball Fab 5

Click here to see the boys basketball preseason Fab 5 from every state

1. Crosby (Waterbury)
Head coach: Nick Augelli
2012-13 finish: 22-2, lost in the first round of the Class LL tournament

A No. 4 seed at 19-1, the Bulldogs went out to Newtown in the first round of the LL tournament last season. Augelli brings back many of his top players to try to right that quick exit for a program that has been to the final four times since 2004 and won twice (2005, '08). One of the top scorers in the state 6-3 Tyshon Rogers (31.0 ppg , 8.0 rpg, 3.9 spg), 6-1 senior Lex Perez (12.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.4 apg), 6-1 senior Aseim King (11.0, 5.0 rpg, 3.8 apg) and 6-1 junior Jaron Chapman (6.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg) will try to get Crosby ready for a deeper postseason run.

2. Hillhouse (New Haven)
Head coach: Renard Sutton
2012-13 finish: 26-1, won Class LL championship

The Academics won their 22nd state title last season and third in five finals since 2006. RaiQuan Clark, a 6-3 senior forward who emerged big-time for Hillhouse in the postseason last year, should lead the way as the Acs should again play a major role in the state tournament. Shane Christie, a 6-0 senior guard, will also be a big contributor. The Acs' only loss last year came at the hands of Fairfield Prep in the teams' second regular season matchup.

3. Fairfield Prep
Head coach: Leo Redgate
2012-13 finish: 24-3, lost in the Class LL final

Prep's 7-foot-2 junior Pascal Chukwu developed into a Division I prospect last season and signed with Providence earlier in the fall. He brings back his 12.8 points and 14 rebounds a game to try and help the Jesuits get back to the final game, where they lost to Hillhouse 52-42 last season. Prep lost four players to graduation but brings back a considerable amount of talent. The Jesuits have not won a title since 1997 despite being back in the final twice (2011, '13) in the past three years.

4. East Hartford
Head coach: Ed Lavoie
2012-13 finish: 22-5, lost in Class LL semifinals

In recent years, the Hornets have been knocking on the door of the finals. This year might be the one for them. Senior Kahari Beaufort (12.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg), a 6-4 forward, and 6-4 forward Colins Nwafor (10.5 ppg, 6.6 rpg) give East Hartford height up front for a team that averaged just under 70 points a game and 31.7 rebounds. Senior Rodley Adjei (7.7 ppg) should also contribute.

5. Norwalk
Head coach: Thomas Keyes
2012-13 finish: 13-9, lost in the first round of the Class LL tournament

Only a No. 20 seed that made a quick departure from the LL tournament in the first round, the Bears return some high-level talent. Roy Kane Jr. (17.9 ppg, 13.5 rpg, 4.2 apg), a 6-5 junior forward, 5-9 junior guard Jeremy Linton (7.3 ppg, 2.3 apg) and 6-2 junior guard Zaire Wilson (4.9 ppg) make up a trio of underclassmen who should make the Bears a contender. Norwalk has not been to a final since 1998 and last won an LL title in '96, part of a three-year run in the state championship game.