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

Video: Jeremiah Francis' highlights vs. Pickerington
See the Pickerington Central star in action.


1. Jackson (Massillon)
Head coach: Tim Debevec
2015-16 record: 21-5

The Polar Bears will feature two of the state’s top senior prospects in Butler signee Kyle Young and Toledo recruit Logan Hill. Young, who averaged 19.3 points and 5.7 rebounds last year, picked the Bulldogs over Ohio State, Michigan, Purdue and Clemson. He also had offers from Florida, Wisconsin and Michigan State. Hill averaged 13.6 points. Jackson, which got beat by Canton McKinley in last year’s Division I district final, will look to ride its talent to the program’s first state tournament berth since 2010. The Polar Bears won the big school state title that season. Other key contributors will be seniors Michael Zitney and Kyle Nicolas and juniors Ethan Stanislawski and Jaret Pallotta.

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2. Pickerington Central
Head coach: Eric Krueger
2015-16 record: 22-5

Considered one of the state’s top five prospects, 6-foot-10 senior Sterling Manley has signed with North Carolina. Manley picked the Tar Heels over Georgetown, Missouri, Pitt, Xavier and West Virginia, among others. Joining Manley in the lineup will be the standout guard duo of senior Darius Coker and sophomore Jeremiah Francis. Coker, a team captain and quarterback on the football team, will get a late start to the season as the Tigers played in the D-I Ohio high school football regional finals Friday. Francis is the son of former Ohio State great Jerry Francis. The Tigers went to the state tournament for the first and only time in 2012, when they won the big school title.

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3. St. Vincent-St. Mary (Akron)
Head coach: Dru Joyce
2015-16 record: 26-4 The former home of Ohio legend LeBron James, St. Vincent-St. Mary is looking to make its 10th state final and win its seventh state title. Since James’ freshman season (1999-2000), the Irish have appeared in 10 state tournaments. Joyce returns a solid frontcourt combo in seniors Jayvon Graves and Jonathan Williams. Graves is committed to Buffalo, while Williams has committed to Robert Morris. The Irish play a loaded schedule. Last year they beat D-I heavyweights Garfield Heights, Canton McKinley and Cleveland St. Edward en route to finishing as the D-II state runner-up.

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4. Garfield Heights
Head coach: Sonny Johnson
2015-16 record: 23-5, OHSAA D-I state semifinalist

Johnson, a former Ohio high school “Mr. Basketball” winner, has crafted a northeast Ohio power at Garfield Heights. Last year the Bulldogs beat St. Ignatius 70-69 in double overtime to advance to their second-straight D-I state tournament and third in six years. Garfield Heights lost to Westerville South for the second-straight season in the final four. Graduation took three NCAA D-I recruits in Willie Jackson (Missouri), Frankie Hughes (Missouri) and Braun Hartfield (Youngstown State). That might spell doom for some programs, but not Garfield Heights.

Look for arguably the state’s best backcourt combo – seniors Shawn Christian and Marreon Jackson – to lead the charge. Christian has signed with Cleveland State. Jackson with Toledo. Cleveland Rhodes transfer Brison Waller (6-8) will make a difference inside.

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5. Westerville South
Head coach: Ed Calo
2015-16 record: 26-4, OHSAA Division I state champions

The Wildcats have made two straight state finals and are coming off the program’s first state title, which was earned by a last-second 57-55 win over previously unbeaten Lima Senior last year. Graduation took six seniors from that squad – including Ohio State freshman Andre Wesson (6-7) – but the veteran Cato (entering 30th season) welcomes back a solid building block in senior post and Buckeye recruit Kaleb Wesson, Andre’s 6-10 little brother. Both are the sons of former Ohio State big man Keith Wesson. Senior Anthony Mills should also contribute.