
Callaway will look for a fifth straight state title in 2015-16.
Photo by Wayne Litmer
2015-16 Mississippi Preseason Boys Basketball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. StarkvilleHead coach: Greg Carter
2014-15 record: 26-5
The
Yellowjackets won an overtime thriller over Madison Central to take
home the 6A crown last season, and should be just as talented in
2015-16. All-state guard
Tyson Carter — who was the MVP of the title
game with 14 points and six rebounds — will lead this year's group.
Carter will look to improve on last season's averages of 17 points, five
assists and two rebounds.
See last season's Mississippi boys basketball computer rankings2. Callaway (Jackson)Head coach: David Sanders
2014-15 record: 31-3
If
coach Sanders had his way, Malik Newman would never graduate. The
All-American guard led Callaway to four consecutive state titles,
putting up 27 points in his final game. With Newman at Mississippi
State, Sanders will have to dig into his coaching bag — but you simply
can't discount a program that knows how to win.
See Mississippi boys basketball pro photo galleries3. McCombHead coach: Hilton Harrell
2014-15 record: 31-1
The
Tigers held off a stout Quitman team to win the 4A title behind a
double-double (13 points, 14 rebounds) from all-state guard
Antonio Cowart. Harrell will have Cowart back this season, looking to lead
McComb to a third straight championship.
See last season's Mississippi boys basketball playoff brackets4. Madison CentralHead coach: Gerald Glass
2014-15 record: 20-10
After a great run to the title game, the Jaguars ran into a familiar opponent in Starkville. Glass' squad went 1-3 against the Yellowjackets last season, but the teams looked evenly matched in the overtime title game. Madison Central loses scoring machine Leroy Buchanan (24 points per game), but 5-foot-9 guard
Shunn Buchanan should pick up the slack. The younger Buchanan averaged 16 points, six assists and two steals last year.
See last season's Mississippi boys basketball stat leaders5. QuitmanHead coach: Chris Coleman
2014-15 record: 30-3
The
Panthers fell to McComb in the 4A title game, but Coleman's squad has the ability to reload in a hurry. Quitman was led last season by all-state forward Darius Hicks, who
averaged 14.5 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks last season. Hicks has transferred, but the program is full of players eager and ready to step up.