In 2013-14, Louisville commit Quentin Snider hopes to avenge Ballard's one-point loss in last season's state title game.
Photo by Wayne Litmer
MaxPreps 2013-14 Kentucky Boys Basketball Preseason Fab 5 presented by the Army National Guard
Click here to see the boys basketball preseason Fab 5 from every state1. Ballard (Louisville)2012-13 record: 32-5
Head coach: Chris Renner
Ballard will be led by senior
Quentin Snider (6-1, G), a Louisville signee and the No. 1 recruit in Kentucky for the class of 2014
according to 247Sports. The Bruins also return All-State forward
Kelan Martin (6-6), who averaged 19 points per game last season and recently signed his letter of intent to Butler. The duo will make Ballard a tough team to knock off this season.
2. Trinity (Louisville)2012-13 record: 28-6
Head coach: Mike Szabo
The Shamrocks lose All-State combo guard Darryl Hicks (15.9 ppg, 5.3 apg) and the energy of 6-2 super-athlete James Quick (now playing wide receiver at Louisville), but return senior power guard
Craig Owens (6-3, 220) and hope for a breakout season from 6-9 junior
Raymond Spalding, the top 2015 recruit in the state
according to 247Sports.
3. Scott County (Georgetown)2012-13 record: 24-9
Head coach: Billy Hicks
The Cardinals are coming off of a nine-loss season, but picked up a major shot in the arm this offseason in the form of 7-foot sophomore
Raekwon Long, who
opened the eyes of recruiters last year at Garinger (Charlotte, N.C.). Combined with Hicks, the winningest active coach in Kentucky basketball, Long and Scott County could win it all.
4. Madison Central (Richmond)2012-13 record: 33-5
Head coach: Allen Feldhaus
After beating Ballard by a point to win the Sweet Sixteen last year, the Indians will have to dig deep to replace their all-time leading scorer and tournament MVP Dominique Hawkins, now a freshman at Kentucky. Madison Central lost eight seniors, but expect Feldhaus to keep his team a threat to repeat with the likes of senior guard
Demarcus George.
5. Knott County Central (Hindman)2012-13 record: 30-6
Head coach: B.B. King
The Patriots lost to state runner-up Ballard in the quarterfinals, but junior
Camron Justice returns after averaging an eye-popping 25.5 points per game as a sophomore All-State performer. The Tennessee commit hopes to lead a young squad with just one senior.
