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

Video: Spain Park highlights vs. Oxford
See clips from Spain Park in action against Oxford.


Editor's note: This story was amended to show that J.O. Johnson High is now Jemison High (Nov. 10, 2016)

1. Homewood
2015-16 record: 30-5
Head coach: Tim Shepler

The defending Class 6A champions return finals MVP Luke Touliatos and 6-9 center Trey Jemison. Touliatos, who grabbed several all-state honors, led the Patriots’ run to the school’s first title with a monster 31-point game in the semifinals. Jemison, an up-and-coming talent heading into his senior season, has an offer to play at the University of Alabama. Homewood did lose five seniors from last season’s title team.

See the Alabama boys basketball computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard

2. Jemison (Huntsville)
2015-16 record: N/A (29-5 at J.O. Johnson)?
Head coach: Jack Doss The Jaguars’ school name changed over the summer, but that’s about it. The JO Johnson Jaguars, last year’s state champions, are now the Mae Jemison Jags after Johnson closed over the summer. Mr. Alabama, John Petty, who will decide between the University of Alabama and Kentucky at the Jaguars’ home opener, averaged 19.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists last season. He will be joined at Jemsion by 6-7 senior forward Devonte Lanier (deciding between Alabama and Middle Tennessee), and point guard Brandon Crosby.

See the MaxPreps Alabama boys basketball stat leaders

3. Spain Park (Hoover)
2015-16 record: 25-10
Head coach: Don Quinn

The Jaguars took a hit when 6-10 center Austin Wiley decided to transfer to a Florida prep school. But Spain Park, which lost in overtime in the Class 7A semifinals last season, should be OK with 6-4 point guard Jamal Johnson leading the way. Johnson, the son of former NBA player Buck Johnson, has committed to play for Tubby Smith at the University of Memphis. He averaged 18.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game and is comfortable playing either the point or shooting guard. And while Wiley’s loss will hurt, the Jaguars still return some size in 6-7 power forward Ronald Fortson and 6-5 post Gordie Stewart.

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4. Sacred Heart Catholic (Anniston)
2015-16 record: 29-8
Head coach: Raphael Graves

The two-time defending Class 1A champions could be poised for another title shot, especially if incoming junior Diante Wood can duplicate or top his sophomore campaign. The 6-foot-5 wing averaged 20.9 points per game, while adding 11.4 rebounds per contest for the Cardinals. He dropped 40 points in a game three times last season for a Sacred Heart squad that lost only one senior. Seniors guard Kevion Nolan and point guard DJ Heath (29 points in the title game) also should be factors for the Cardinals.

See the MaxPreps Alabama boys basketball playoff brackets

5. Mountain Brook (Birmingham)
2015-16 record: 24-7
Head coach: Bucky McMillan

The Spartans fell in the opening round of the Class 7A playoffs, but that may have just fueled returning sophomore Trendon Watford's fire. Watford, who averaged 23 points per game and 11 boards per contest last season, spent the summer, according to newspaper accounts, tearing it up at several elite camps. Watford also has the pedigree to lead, as his brother is University of Indiana standout Christian Watford.