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TOP 20 PRESEASON PREP POLL

By Jeff Goodman
JGood67213@aol.com
November 19, 2002

As a companion to our preseason high school poll, we're proud to unveil our preseason prep school poll for the 2002-03 season. Though these initial rankings will change beginning this weekend, when we travel to the loaded War on the Shore Invitational in Delaware, here's an early look at this season's most powerful prep clubs.

1. Blair Academy (Blairstown, N.J.)

Last Year: 17-9 (prep state runner-up)
Coach: Joe Mantegna
Top Players: F Loul Deng (6-7, 215, SR); F Charlie Villanueva (6-9, 210, SR)
Starters: G Patrick Davidson (6-2, SR); G Mike Beers (6-2, SR); G Roberto Felipe (6-2, SR)
Others: SF Chris Alvarez (6-8, JR); PF J.P. Giese (6-6, SR); G Alex Adrien (5-11, JR); SF Amir Smith (6-4, SR)

Notes: No one can compete with the combination and the versatility of Deng and Villanueva. Deng will see some time at the point this season and Villanueva has terrific court vision. However, it’s the supporting cast that has Mantegna excited. Davidson, an Arkansas native, is a great athlete who can score while Beers (Siena) is a quality scorer as well. Felipe is the defensive stopper and was teammates with Villanueva back in NYC.

Strength: One-two Punch
Weakness: Depth
Tournaments: War on the Shore (Del.); Glaxo-Welcome Classic (N.C.); Prime Time Shootout (N.J.)
Next Game: Nov. 22 vs. Our Savior New American (N.Y.) at the War on the Shore (Del.); Nov. 23 vs. Notre Dame Academy (Va.) at the War on the Shore

2. Bridgton Academy (North Bridgton, Maine)

Last Year: 13-12 (NEPSAC Class A quarterfinals)
Coach: Whit Lesure (5th season)
Top Player: PF-C Alexander Johnson (6-9, 240, Post-Grad)
Starters: PF Ousmane Konate (6-8, 255, Post-Grad); C Lukasz Obrzut (7-2, 235, Post-Grad); SG Rashard Turner (5-10, 180); G Carlos Rivera (6-2, 175)
Others: SG-SF Moses Sonko (6-6, 200); SG-SF Alray Taylor (6-3, 200); SF-SG Cody McGrath (6-5, 195); SF Will Sabo (6-6, 195); G Corky McMullen (6-2, 185); SG Damian Farley (6-3, 190); PG Darrin Shine (5-10, 165)

Notes: Bridgton had a monster frontline a year ago with Larry Turner, Amadou Ba and Giedrus Rinkevicius, but they didn’t live up to the hype. It should be much better this season with Johnson (Georgia), Konate (Missouri, status at Bridgton somewhat uncertain) and Obrzut (Fordham), a 7-footer from Poland. Turner, who signed with Maine last season but is now open, and Bruce Price (St. John’s) were slated to start in the backcourt, but Price left early in the school year. Now Rivera, a combo guard who doesn’t make many mistakes, will likely start alongside Turner while Taylor will try to show coaches he can knock down the perimeter jumper.

Strength: Size
Weakness: Perimeter Shooting
Tournaments: Fork Union Tourney (Va.); War on the Shore (Del.); Sun Youth Tournament; St. Thomas More Tournament (Conn.); National Prep Invitational (R.I.)
First Game: Nov. 15 vs. Redemption Christian Academy

3. Worcester Academy (Worcester, Mass.)

Last Year: 27-4 (NEPSAC Class A runner-up)
Coach: Mo Cassara (4th season)
Top Player: G Dwight Brewington (6-5, 185, SR)
Starters: PG Steve Hailey (6-1, 170, SR); PF Sam Kaplan (6-7, 230, SR); J.R. Moore (6-9, 235, Post-Grad); SF Nick Stafford (6-8, 210, SR)
Others: SF Makan Konate (6-7, 190, SR); G Carl Elliott (6-2, 210, Post-Grad); G Charlie Jones (6-4, 190, Post-Grad); G Tim Burns (6-3, 180, Post-Grad); G David Ball (6-4, 190, Post-Grad); G Tim Massarelli (6-0, 160, JR)

Notes: It’s hard to feel sorry for Cassara after he lost a handful of guys to the D-1 ranks, especially when he returned a trio of D-1 kids and added four more. Hailey (Boston College) will finally get his chance to run the show after playing the off-guard spot alongside Jarrett Jack last season. Brewington (Providence) is versatile and came from nearby Lynn, Mass.., while Moore (Rhode Island) is an Oregon native who will give the Hilltoppers a defensive presence in the middle. Stafford will need to contribute quickly or he’ll lose his starting spot to Konate, a slender senior who can knock down the outside jumper. Kaplan (Yale) gives the team a tough, hard-nosed rebounder and Elliott was a valuable late addition who previously signed with George Washington.

Strength: Athleticism
Weakness: Frontcourt Depth
Tournaments: War on the Shore (Del.); NYC Boys Club (N.Y.); Thomas Blackburn Holiday Invitational (Mass.)
Next Game: Nov. 22 vs. West Nottingham at the War on the Shore (Del.)

4. Winchendon School (Winchendon, Mass.)

Last Year: 23-4 (NEPSAC Class A semifinals)
Coach: Mike Byrnes (7th season)
Top Player: BF Karron Clarke (6-6, 185, Post-Grad)
Starters: WF Donovan Morris (6-3); C Marlon Pompay (6-8, 210, Post-Grad); PG -Curtis Stinson (6-2, 205, Post-Grad); WG Andres Sandoval (6-4, 185, Post-Grad)
Others: F Oktay Yilmaz (6-8, 235); F Dominik Stefanic (6-10); G Alfred Williams Jr. (6-3); PG Dominique White (5-10);

Notes: There is no big-name post player this season, so Byrnes squad will likely play and up and down style. Clarke (Miami) played with Sebastian Telfair at Lincoln (N.Y.) a year ago, and this year he’ll have another New York native getting him the ball. Stinson (Iowa State) will run the show and will play alongside Sandoval (Richmond). Pompay played at Heritage Christian (Texas) last season and will go to Texas A&M after a stop at Winchendon. Yilmaz is a Bill Laimbeer-type while Stefanic, a Croatian, can shoot the three. Morris is a tremendous athlete who should get some looks this season after spending last year at El Cajon (Calif.)

Strength: Quickness
Weakness: Size
Tournaments: War on the Shore (Del.); MCI Classic (Maine); New Hampton Tourney (N.H.)
First Game: Nov. 16 vs. Storm King

5. Hargrave Military Academy (Chatham, Va.)

Last Year: 25-3
Coach: Mike Preston (2nd season)
Top Player: G Gerald Brown (6-3, 190, SR)
Starters: C Hassan Fofana (6-9, 270, Post-Grad); F Ryan Lambert (6-7, 200, Post-Grad); F Joel Green (6-7, 190, SR); PG Jason McKinney (5-11, 170, Post-Grad)
Others: PF Chaz Crawford (6-8); SG Jean Louis-Ouattara (6-5); G Gabe Dymond (6-1, 165); F Sam Agee (6-6); G Ryan Jones (6-2); SG Jeremy Benjamin (6-5)

Notes: Brown (Providence) and Fofana (Maryland) are the big names for Hargrave this season. Brown averaged 19.9 points, four steals and three assists during his junior year at Douglass High (Md.) while Fofana played last season at Holy Name (Mass.). McKinney will run the show after playing with former Inglewood (Calif.) big man DeAngelo Collins a year ago. Lambert, a Maryland native who played at Northeast High (Md.) last season, will likely team with Green (Siena) and Fofana in the frontcourt. Crawford (Drexel) averaged 12.9 points per game at Northeast (Pa.) last season.

Strength: Depth
Weakness: Inside scoring
Tournaments: War on the Shore (Del.); Hargrave Tournament (Va.); Fork Union Tourney (Va.)
First Game: Nov. 8 vs. Queen’s College JV

6. Notre Dame Prep (Fitchburg, Mass.)

Last Year: N/A
Coach: Bill Barton
Top Player: PG Gary Ervin (6-1, 170)
Starters: G Will Blalock (5-11, 165); C Reggie George (6-9, 230); PF Franz Dorsainvil (6-7, 240); SF Brandon Powers (6-6, 210)
Others: C Mike Angui (6-11, 195); SG Shane Nichols (6-1, 180); PG Carlos Smith (5-11, 170); G Tony Baker (6-0); G Billy Begley (6-0); SG Josh Bell (6-4); SG Joel Davila (6-2); G Mike Ebberts (6-0); G James Jones (6-1); SF Fred Kournkorgo (6-6); G Rob McLean (6-2)

Notes: Ervin (Miss. St.) and Blalock (Iowa State) will create problems for the opposition because both can distribute and get to the basket with the best of them. The key will be how they co-exist with one another. George was overlooked coming out of Illinois, but not any longer. He runs the floor extremely well but needs to work on his low-post moves. Angui is a slender big man from the Sudan who played in Phoenix for the past two years and recently backed out of his commitment to Bowling Green. Smith, the nephew of former Georgia star Litterial Green, has played well of late.

Strength: Backcourt; Athleticism
Weakness: True center
Tournaments: War on the Shore (Del.); MCI Classic (Maine); Brewster Tournament (NH); North America Tournament (Buffalo, N.Y.); National Prep Invitational (RI); Hargrave Tournament (Va.)
First Game: Nov. 15 at Harvard JV

7. New Hampton Prep (New Hampton, N.H.)

Last Year: 27-3 (NEPSAC Class A champion)
Coach: Jamie Arsenault
Top Player: PF Oluwafemi "Femi" Ibikunle (6-9, 245, SR)
Starters: C Julius Lamptey (7-0, 280, Post-Grad); PG Tony Chatman (6-0, 170, Post-Grad); SG-SF Michael Cook (6-4, 210, Post-Grad); SG Todd Checovich (6-4, 195, Post-Grad)
Others: G Jerrell Lewis (6-1, 185, JR); PG Davis Stubbs (6-0, 165, Post-Grad); PG Tom Leikas (6-0, 170, Post-Grad); G Ryan Manovill (6-4, 205, Post-Grad); G Josh Correia (6-4, 185, Post-Grad); G John Blizzard (6-2, 185, SR)

Notes: The 7-foot Lamptey is a native of Oklahoma who originally signed with Georgia last spring before changing his mind and committing to Arkansas this fall. Ibikunle is an 18-year-old Nigerian who recently came to New Hampton after six months in Lithuania. Chatman won three state titles at Charlestown (Mass.) and is a great leader who gives the team toughness as well. The team’s top perimeter shooter is Checovich, who played a season at Phillips Academy (Mass.) after growing up just over the New Hampshire border. Cook gives the team versatility he committed to Providence, but is now open after the Friars backed off when he qualified so late.

Strength: Size
Weakness: Depth
Tournaments: War on the Shore (Del.); FUMA Tourney; National Prep Invitational (R.I.); Brewster Tournament (N.H.); MCI Classic (Maine); New Hampton Tournament (N.H.)
First Game: Nov. 14 at Harvard JV

8. Laurinburg Prep (Laurinburg, N.C.)

Last Year: 20-4
Coach: Chris Chaney
Top Player: SF Regis Koundjia (6-7, 195, SR)
Starters: C Boubacar Coly (6-9, 230, SR); SF-SG Keith Blanks (6-6, 190, SR); PG Terrance Crump (5-10, 180, Post-Grad); PF Asrangue Souleymane (6-9, 195, SR)
Others: SG Junior Pehou (6-5, SR); PG Sammy Hunter (6-3, Post-Grad); F Tyler Jones (6-9, 210, SR); SF Tynell Dunkley (6-7, Post-Grad); G James Taylor (6-3, Post-Grad); SF Joe Dickens (6-7, Post-Grad); PF Ricky Volcy (6-6, 210)

Notes: Koudjia (LSU) is one of the most explosive players in the country and is nearly impossible to stop when he gets in the open court. Crump is a good floor leader and defender from Alabama who will likely team with the Texas A&M-bound Blanks in the backcourt. Coly’s offense is coming along and Souleymane is a terrific shot-blocker who runs the court. This team would have been even more talented had Von Wafer not elected to leave for Heritage Christian (Texas).

Strength: Athleticism; Quickness
Weakness: Perimeter shooting
Tournaments: War on the Shore (Del.); Prep Stars (Canada); National Prep Invitational (R.I.)

9. Milford Academy (Milford, Conn.)

Last Year: N/A
Coach: Bob Riggio (4th season)
Top Player: C Lamont Hamilton (6-9, 245, SR)
Starters: SG Victor Fletcher (6-1, 185, SR); SF Roosevelt Lee (6-5, 215, JR); PG Jamual Warren (6-1, 190, JR); PF Bennett Davis (6-8 _, 215, SR)
Others: SG Jonathan Lyles (6-0, 170, SR); SF Courtney Williams (6-8, 210, SR); SF Frank Suppa (6-3, 190, SR); F Vernon Goodrich (6-8, JR)

Notes: Just imagine how good the team would have been with Kelvin "Peedy" Nelson, Kenny Eusey and Jabbar Young, but all three left the school earlier this year. Don’t shed any tears for Riggio, who still has Hamilton (St. John’s) in the paint and Davis (Northeastern) along the frontline. Warren and Lee have both been re-classified as juniors while Fletcher is an athletic shooting guard who is getting looks from mid-majors. Warren gets to the bucket at will, but needs to show he can knock down the outside shot. Lee runs the floor and is a tremendous rebounder for his size, but also needs to develop more consistency on his perimeter shot.

Strength: Inside play
Weakness: Perimeter shooting
Tournaments: War on the Shore (Del.); National Prep Invitational (R.I.); Springfield Hall of Fame (Mass.)
First Game: Nov. 9 vs. Redemption Christian

10. Fork Union Military Academy (Fork Union, Va.)

Last Year: 26-4
Coach: Fletcher Arritt (30th season)
Top Player: PF-C Donte Minter (6-8, 230)
Starters: G Philip Wall (6-0, 170); G Brad Gianiny (6-0, 175); PF Adeniye Amadou (6-8, 230); F Kendall Chones (6-7, 210)
Others: G/F Kyle Chones (6-7, 210); G Akeem Hemingway (6-2, SR); G/F Lucian Graham (6-7); G/F Chris Tucker (6-7); F John Stanley (6-8); F Corey Lewis (6-7); G Britton Gaylord (6-2)

Notes: Wall and Gianini are far from a big-name backcourt, but they are both intelligent and complement one another. Wall is a
Coach’s son and gets his teammates involved while Gianiny is quick and has a deadly jumper. The biggest name on the team is Minter, a star at West Rowan (N.C.) a year ago, where he led the Falcons to a 30-0 mark and a Class 3A crown. The Chones brothers are the son of former NBA player Jim Chones and played at Orange High (Ohio) last season.

Strength: Depth
Weakness: No star player
Tournaments: Fork Union Invitational; Hargrave Invitational (Va.)
First Game: Nov. 8 vs. Virginia Tech JV

11. Maine Central Institute (Pittsfield, Maine)

Last Year: 23-6 (NEPSAC Class A quarterfinals)
Coach: Ed Jones (1st season)
Top Player: SF Marquise Kately (6-5, 200, SR)
Others: PF Rekalin Sims (6-7, 210, SR); C-F Keiron Achara (6-9, 215); C Brian Andre (6-8, 270); PG Justin Jones (5-11); SG Chris Moore (6-4); G Frank Robinson (6-4); G Dominique Bishop (6-1); G Darnell Evans (6-3, SR); G Josh Daniels (6-3); G Wendell Bennett (6-3); G Jay Townsend (6-3); G A.J. Burton (6-5); F George Wright (6-6, 210); F Mike Tuck (6-7, 215); F Vincent Tourville (6-6, JR);

Notes: Jones, a former assistant coach and player at the University of Maine, takes over for Karl Hendrickson. Kately (Cal) and Robinson, a pair of California natives, are the cornerstone of this year's team. The squad is deep, but not overly big. Achara is a wide-body from Scotland who should start in the middle while Tuck, Wright and Sims will all battle for minutes up front. Moore (Tulane) may start in the backcourt and it's anyone's guess who will start at point.

Strength: Depth
Weakness: Size
Tournaments: Brewster Tournament (N.H.); MCI Classic (Maine); New Hampton Tournament (N.H.)
Next Game: Nov. 22 vs. Redemption Christian

12. Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.)

Last Year: 19-12 (NEPSAC Class A quarterfinals)
Coach: Jason Smith (3rd season)
Top Player: F Mike Pilgrim (6-7, 210, SR)
Starters: SG-SF Joel Smith (6-5, 205, JR); F Blake Schilb (6-6, 215, SR); PG Deion James (6-2, 175, JR); F Norman Plummer (6-7, 210, JR)
Others: SG Ivan Kostic (6-7, SR); G David Gale (6-1, 185, Post-Grad); G Frank Gilroy (6-3, 190, Post-Grad); F Drennan Burns (6-6, 195, SR); F Tom Novick (6-6, 180, Post-Grad)

Notes: Last year Damion Grant slowed Brewster down. This year Smith will have his team ready to run ‘n gun. Pilgrim (Cincinnati) and Smith can both fly, while Schilb is versatile but will have to concentrate on rebounding. James is a Wisconsin native who will make the transition to point guard. If Gale gets hot, watch out. He has great range and should be an Ivy or Patriot League player. Watch for Plummer, an Ohio native, to make a major impact because of his size and athleticism.

Strength: Quickness; Athleticism
Weakness: Size
Tournaments: War on the Shore (Del.); Brewster Tournament (N.H.); MCI Classic (Maine); National Prep Invitational (R.I.); New Hampton Tournament (N.H.)
Next Game: Nov. 23 vs. Milford Academy (Conn.) in the War on the Shore (Del.)

13. St. Thomas More (Oakdale, Conn.)

Last Year: 24-9 (NEPSAC Class A semifinals)
Coach: Jere Quinn (25th season)
Top Player: SG Quincy Douby (6-3, 170, SR)
Starters: PG Loren Stokes (6-3, 155, SR); PF Donald Brown (6-6, 195); C Sam Dolan (6-9, 210, JR); G Van Crafton (6-1, 185)
Others: PF-C Anthony Bruin (6-7, 220); SG Steve Cotton, (6-3, 185); SG Issac Ansah (6-2, 185); F Ryan Cahak (6-7, 200); PG James Hurt (6-1, 195); SG Mike Hilton (6-0, 175) G Keshaun Horne (6-1, 180)

Notes: Douby is a scoring machine who hasn’t met a shot he didn’t like. He and Stokes (Hofstra), the younger brother of Cincinnati’s Leonard Stokes, will form a formidable backcourt. Stokes, who played at Turner Carroll (Buffalo, N.Y.) last season, gets to the basket and can create for his teammates. Crafton (Quinnipiac) is from Indiana and projects as a low D-1 player, while Brown (Bucknell) is a tweener and is a thin power forward who rebounds well for his size. Dolan, just a junior, will battle Bruin for minutes in the middle.

Strength: Perimeter shooting
Weakness: Height
Tournaments: War on the Shore (Del.); MCI Classic (Maine); Brewster Tournament (N.H.)
Next Game: Nov. 23 vs. Hargrave Military Academy (Va.) at the War on the Shore (Del.)

14. West Nottingham Academy (Colora, Md.)

Last Year: 8-11
Coach: Ralph Chillious (2nd season)
Top Player: PF Josh Boone (6-9, 215, Post-Grad)
Starters: SG Cheyenne Moore (6-6, 175, JR); F Dan Ross (6-6, 215, Post-Grad); F Keri Gonsalves (6-5, 210, Post-Grad); PG Ancel Simmons (5-10, Post-Grad)
Others: G Terrance Johnson (5-11, 190); G Jelani Jackson (6-3, 180, Post-Grad); SG-SF Josh Ayers (6-3, Post-Grad); PG Gilbert Brown (6-3, SOPH); PF Warren Brown (6-3, 190, SR)

Notes: Boone is the major draw at West Nottingham as the UConn-bound big man made a splash on the AAU circuit as one of the most underrated big man this past summer. However, Moore, who came from Montrose Christian, just may be the best talent that Chillious has at the Colora (Md.) boarding school. Moore is just a junior, but is extremely versatile and should turn into a high-major player. Boone runs the floor well for a big man and Ross can flat-out stroke it from the perimeter. The one concern has to be a point guard, where Simmons, a Louisiana native, will have to step up and get everyone involved. Johnson is former NBA guard Ron Harper’s son.

Strength: Athleticism
Weakness: Point guard
Tournaments: War on the Shore (Del.); Mercersburg Tournament; Flying to the Hoop (Ohio); Prep Stars of North America
Next Game: Nov. 22 vs. Life Center (N.J.) at the War on the Shore (Del.)

15. Coastal Christian (Virginia Beach, Va.)

Last Year: 38-4
Coach: Walter Webb (3rd season)
Top Player: G Ray George (6-3 _, SR)
Starters: G-F J.R. Pinnock (6-6, SR); PF Troy Washington (6-8, SR); PG Anthony Garrison (6-1, SR); C Otamere Oronsaye (6-8, 235, SR)
Others: PF-C Suresh May (6-6, SR); SG Kevin Jones (6-1, 180, SR); G Shamoni Faulkner (6-0, SR); G Adam Nicholson (6-3, SR); G Rashard Mintz (6-1, JR)

Notes: Seven-footer Jermaine Bell left to go to the Sunshine State and IMG Academy, and Coastal will need to find someone to give an inside presence. The all-Georgia backcourt is exceptional with the explosive George (Georgia State) and Pinnock (de-committed from Wichita State), who averaged 21 points per game last season at Eagles Landing High in McDonough, Ga. Washington (Hampton) is versatile and hails from South Carolina while Oronsaye alters shots on the defensive end. Garrison is a low-major floor general while Jones (Chicago State) hit six trifectas in an exhibition against Oak Hill.

Strength: Outside shooting
Weakness: Height
Tournaments: War on the Shore (Del.); Flying to the Hoop (Ohio); Bull City Classic (N.C.); Mountaineer Classic (West Va.)

16. IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)

Last Year: N/A
Coach: Tony Tucker
Top Player: SF Renaldo Balkman (6-7, 185)
Starters: PF Sekou Lewis (6-5); C Jermaine Bell (6-11, 200, JR); G Darrell Jenkins (5-10); G Jake Rauchbach (5-11, SR)
Others: G Joe Becton (6-3); G-F Rashad Bilal (6-3, SR); G Evan Cohn (6-0); G Darryl Murphy (6-0, SR); PG Taurean Green (6-0, SR); SG Danny Morrissey (6-3, JR)

Notes: IMG has three different clubs and a few of the players will overlap and play with the prep team, including Bell, Green and Morrissey. Balkman (South Carolina) is athletic, but needs to improve his perimeter game. Jenkins and Rauchbach are both versatile while Lewis (American University) will finally get out of the shadow from LeBron James after spending his high school days at St. Vincent-St. Mary (Ohio).

Strength: Quickness
Weakness: Height
Tournaments: Mercersburg Tournament; National Prep Invitational (R.I.)
First Game: Nov. 14 at Broward Community College

17. Northfield Mount Hermon (Northfield, Mass.)

Last Year: 13-12
Coach: Bill Batty (15th season)
Top Player: PF Sam Manhanga (6-6, 225, Post-Grad)
Starters: SF Cori Boston (6-5, 205, Post-Grad); C Ryan Brimley (6-10, 255, Post-Grad); PG Fred Jones (5-11, 155, SR); PG Kashif Payne (5-9, 155, JR)
Others: G-F Robert Taylor (6-5, 200, Post-Grad); PF Mischa Tripoli (6-4, Post-Grad): PF Eli Manna (6-7, 230, Post-Grad); G-F Charmel Maynard (6-4, SR); PF Sokal Zejan (6-7, SR); SG Christian Corey (6-1, 180, SR); SG Alex Thayer (6-3, 180, JR)

Notes: Jones and Payne will give the team one of the quickest backcourts in the country. Jones is from Greenfield (Mass.) and has improved his outside shot while Payne comes from Archbishop Carroll (Pa.), where he averaged 18 points and eight assists per game last season. Boston, who is leaning towards UNH, won a trio of state titles at Charlestown and will make the switch from the inside to the wing. Manhanga (Brown) is somewhat raw, but he’s extremely athletic and comes from Greenwich High (Conn.). Brimley (James Madison) gives the team an inside presence and can knock down the mid-range jumper. He averaged 16 points and 10 boards for Auburn High (N.Y.) a year ago.

Strength: Point guard play
Weakness: Wing Players making transition from inside
Tournaments: NYC Boys Club
Next Game: Dec. 7 vs. Exeter

18. Lutheran Christian Academy (Philadelphia, Pa.)

Last Year: 27-6
Coach: Darryl Schoefield
Top Player: SG Maurice Maxwell (6-6, 170, SR)
Starters: PG Tyler Smith (6-2, SR); SF Zakee Boyd (6-5, 200, SR); C Charles Bronson (6-10, 225, SR); PF Khalil Hartwell (6-8, 230, SOPH)
Others: PG Kevin Green (6-0, SR); SF Dalik Powell (6-7, SR); PG Bryan Nichols (6-0, JR); PF Dwayne Birden (6-6, SR)

Notes: Smith was the Baltimore Sun’s Player of the Year last season after averaging an area-high 28.1 points, 5 assists and 4.9 steals per game at Class 3A champion Douglass High. Maxwell averaged 15 points per game last season at Lutheran and just needs to put on some weight while Boyd is athletic, can shoot from the outside and has to improve his ball-handling skills. Branson is a mid-major big man who has to bulk up and Hartwell is a young, aggressive shot-blocker.

Strength: Wing play
Weakness: Inexperience
Tournaments: War on the Shore (Del.); National Prep Invitational (R.I.)

19. Trinity Pawling (Pawling, N.Y.)

Last Year: 20-3 (NEPSAC Class B quarterfinals)
Coach: Bill Casson (2nd season)
Top Player: F Dante Milligan (6-8, 200, SR)
Starters: PG Dontae Draper (5-10, 180, SR); SG Larry Kelly (6-1, Post-Grad); G Michael Lopez (6-1, Post-Grad); PF Chris Turner (6-5, Post-Grad)
Others: F Dominic White (6-5, JR); F Reid Whittman (6-8, SOPH); F Jamal Benjamin (6-7, SOPH)

Notes: Milligan (Pittsburgh) is a tall wing who can also step outside and knock down the three-pointer as he showed a year ago when he hit 41 percent of his trifectas. Draper (College of Charleston) is a Baltimore native who averaged 17 points, six boards and five assists last season at Walbrook High. Kelly, a New Haven (Conn.) native, will likely start at the off-guard spot. He’s a streaky shooter who will either go low D-1 or D-2. Lopez is a combo guard from Florida while Turner is a two-sport star from Henninger High (N.Y.) who will give Casson toughness inside.

Strength: Quickness; Shooting
Weakness: Lack of physical play
Tournaments: NYC Boys Club Holiday Classic
Next Game: Dec. 7 vs. Blair Academy (N.J.)

20. Redemption Christian (Troy, N.Y.)

Last Year: 3-18
Coach: John Massey (17th season)
Top Player: PG Joshua Thomas (6-1, JR)
Starters: F Antwaun Miller (6-6, SR); PF Jermaine Johnson (6-6, JR); G Charles Burgess (6-2, SR); SG Chris LaBoard (6-3, Post-Grad)
Others: PF-C Randy Adams (6-7, Post-Grad); F Devone Allen (6-6, SR); G-F William Harris (6-6, JR)

Notes: Massey dismissed many of his Top Players a year ago and suffered through a miserable 3-18 campaign, but Redemption should be much better this year. Thomas is a heady Brooklyn native who has exceptional court vision and will be the focal point of the offense. Miller played last season at H.D. Woodson (D.C.) and will be joined by Johnson, a California native, in the frontcourt. Adams is another west coast guy who should give Massey size off the bench. LaBoard can light it up from the perimeter.

Strength: Backcourt
Weakness: Size
Tournaments: NYC Boys Club
First Game: Nov. 15 vs. Bridgton Academy

Others to Watch:

Love Christian (Raleigh, N.C.)

Last Year: N/A (didn’t have a prep team last season)
Coach: Weldon Perry (1st season)
Top Player: G Tristan Martin (6-3, 195, Post-Grad)
Starters: F Sam Ashlou (6-7, Post-Grad); SF Lionel Pehoua (6-6, Post-Grad); C Alex Zimmackas (6-8, 250, Post-Grad); PG Marlon Bryan (5-10, Post-Grad)
Others: F-C Hazel Andrews (6-7, 260, Post-Grad); G-F Max Ending (6-4, Post-Grad); F-G D.J. Gibson (6-3, Post-Grad); SF Dwight James (6-4, 240, Post-Grad)

Notes: Martin is a Toronto native who will play primarily the off-guard spot and is being looked at by A-10 schools. He averaged 15 points per game last season at Laurinburg and gets to the basket with his athleticism. Ashlou also hails from Canada and gives the team a solid rebounder and shot-blocker while Pehoua hails from Central Africa and can shoot from the perimeter. Zimmackas will man the middle and just needs to increase his quickness and Bryan also comes from north of the border and is solid in running a team.

Strength: Scoring
Weakness: Sharing the Ball
Tournaments: Bull City Classic (N.C.); Christmas at the Beach (Va.)
Next Game: Nov. 18 vs. Woodland Christian (N.C.); Nov. 20 vs. Bonner Academy

Storm King (Cornwall, N.Y.)

Last Year: 28-3 (Class B NESCAC champions)
Coach: Kevin Houston (4th season)
Top Player: F Sammy Mejia (6-6, 195, SR)
Starters: G Seve Cozzens (5-10, Post-Grad); G Stephen Peters (6-2, SR); F-C Kevin Palmatier (6-5, JR); SG Michael Bash (5-10, SR)
Others: G Daniel Peters (5-8, FR); G-F Trini Thomas (5-11, SOPH); G James Dennebiel (5-10, SOPH); F Jack Kim (6-3, SR)

Notes: Mejia (DePaul) is going to need to step up big-time, because Houston’s club doesn’t have much size or depth. Mejia, who averaged 21 points and 7 rebounds per game last season, will likely see time at all five positions. Cozzens and Stephen Peters will likely comprise the backcourt and handle most of the ballhandling duties. Cozzens is the quickest player on the team and can get to the basket while Peters is the club’s top shooter. Palmatier comes from the Hyde School (Conn.) and will need to become a force in the paint.

Strength: Versatile
Weakness: Size; Depth

Salisbury School (Salisbury, Conn.)

Last Year: 15-9 (NEPSAC Class B quarterfinals)
Coach: Chris Hinchey (9th season)
Top Player: PF Lawrence Carrier (6-8, 230, SR)
Starters: PG Sean Neal (6-1, SR); SG Kenny Jones (6-2, Post-Grad); F Trevor Williams (6-5, Post-Grad); F Sayre Brennan (6-5, SR); G Jay Wosencroft (6-0, SOPH)
Others: F Lonnie McMillan (6-4, JR); G Jay Wosencroft (6-, SOPH); G Nick Cantone (5-11, SOPH)

Notes: Carrier was once considered a Top 25 player in his class, but the California native has suffered numerous injuries over the past couple of years and will need to re-establish himself early this season to get the attention of major colleges. Neal, a point guard from Springfield, Mass., has committed to LaSalle and gives the team toughness and a penetrator who can push the ball. The team doesn’t have a ton of size other than Carrier, but look for Williams and Brennan to provide some help in the paint. Jones is a quality shooter from Norwich, Conn., and newcomers McMillan, Wosencroft and Cantone will be counted upon to help off the bench.

Strength: Quickness
Weakness: Size
Tournaments: Thomas Blackburn Holiday Invitational (Mass.)