MaxPreps 2013-14 Nebraska preseason boys basketball Fab 5

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

1. Omaha Central
Head coach: Eric Behrens
2012-13 finish: 26-4, won fourth-straight Class A title
 
It's hard to argue with success. Coach Behrens is residing over the top boys basketball program in Nebraska. Period. The Eagles have won seven of the last eight Class A state titles and own an unbelievable 201-30 record during that time span. Last season's championship was the 10th, to go along with nine runner-up finishes for Central, in 41 state tournament appearances. Behrens saw his roster get wiped out due to graduation, so it may take some time for the Eagles to get going. Behrens will look to 6-foot-6 senior Tre'Shawn Thurman, a returning third-team All Metro performer, to ease any growing pains. Omaha Burke transfer Rashad McCoy and Jarek Coles from Millard South are set to begin their first Eagle seasons. Austin McGaugh, Reath Nyoach and Malik Harris will help keep Central's tradition rolling along.
 
2. Omaha South
Head coach: Bruce Chubick
2012-13 finish: 25-4, defeated Benson 70-62 in Class A consolation game
 
With three straight state tournament appearances in his pocket, Packer coach Bruce Chubick has his program grinding out the wins. Omaha South lost in the first round of the 2011 tournament, but the Packers finished second behind Central in 2012 and won the consolation contest over Omaha Benson last season. With a solid nucleus of players returning, Chubick is poised for another deep postseason run. Look for Tyler Hall (5-11 Sr.), Kevin Harkins (6-8 Sr.) and James Dumes (6-4 Sr.) to get Omaha South through the early portion of its schedule while younger players develop. Aguek Arop is a 6-4 freshman poised for greatness.
 
3. Benson (Omaha)
Head coach: Donnie Johnson
2012-13 finish: 19-7, lost to Omaha South 70-62 in Class A consolation game
 
Benson finds itself sitting at No. 3, but the Bunnies may be the more seasoned team of the top three right now. Class A Second Team All-State player Khryi Thomas (6-4 Sr.) has the talent to vault Benson into the top spot after scoring 16 points and ripping down more than five rebounds a contest a year ago. Seniors Thik Bol, Maurice Buckley and Tyree Peters will be hard to handle as well.
 
4. Elkhorn South
Head coach: Alex Bahe
2012-13 finish: 19-7, lost to Gretna 66-56 in Class B consolation game
 
Graduation cost Bahe a ton of size as well as the ability to dominate the boards going into the 2013-14 season. Storm guard play, however, will be second to none in the upcoming season as the team tries to get back to the state tournament for the second time in school history. Back for his senior season is 6-foot All-State guard Matt Thomas, who scored more than 16 points an outing a year ago. Junior guard Johnny Trueblood (6-2) has all of the ability in the world to get to the basket, while J.j. Zumbrennen (5-11) has marksmanship accuracy from the perimeter.
 
5. Lincoln Southeast
Head coach: Jeff Smith
2012-13 finish: 16-9, lost to Papillion-LaVista 55-47 in Class A quarterfinals
 
Since 2000, the Knights have found their way into the state basketball tournament 11 times. Odds are they will get back there again this season, especially with seniors B.J. Day and Husker football recruit Luke Gifford hitting the court for Smith.