Preseason Boys' Basketball Rankings

Last season's records in parentheses.

1. Paul VI (26-4). The Eagles return four of five starters from a team that won the loaded Olympic Conference National Division and advanced to the Non-Public South A final. Senior forwards Jay Howard, a first-team All-South Jersey selection last season, and Matt Risse are three-year starters. Senior guards Ivan Robinson and DeVahnte Mosley are solid defenders and distributors. Senior forward Jair Green is another top veteran.

2. Atlantic City (30-2). The Vikings are the two-time defending Group 4 state champions. Senior guard Isaiah Graves and senior forward Dennis White played major minutes in big games for both championship teams. Senior guard Tashad Reynolds and sophomore guard Lamar Thomas, a top outside shooter, were contributors to last season's run.

3. Pitman (24-6). The Panthers have one of the state's top juniors in 6-9 forward Tim Delaney, a Villanova recruit who averaged 21 points. Senior swingman Eric Stafford is a Lafayette recruit. Senior guard Darnell Foreman is a top defender, passer, and finisher. The Panthers received a big lift with the addition of 6-6 senior forward Tyler Wisniewski, a transfer from Deptford who averaged 16.4 points.

4. Holy Spirit (16-11). The Spartans will be among the most talented teams in South Jersey. They return four starters, including senior forward Junior Saintel, a four-year varsity player. Other returning starters are senior forward John Midi, junior guard John Middleton, and sophomore forward Leon Daniels. Senior guard Uuhmad Collier, who started as a sophomore but missed last season with an injury, is back.

5. Haddonfield (25-4). The Bulldogs return three starters, including junior guards Rob and Nick DePersia, twins who have been regulars since their freshman year. Senior center Abby Bah is another returning starter. Senior forward Ted Stavetski and junior forward Jake Robinson were key contributors last season for a team that won the Colonial Liberty title.

6. Bishop Eustace (18-10). The Crusaders took a hit when senior guard Dvonne Trumbo transferred out of state, but they return plenty of talent. Senior guard Flo DaSilva is a top defender and finisher and University of the Sciences recruit. Junior forwards Brandon Cazan and Connor McLaughlin played big minutes last season, as did sophomore guard Mike Cohen.

7. Camden Catholic (20-8). The Irish lost 6-9 junior forward Demola Onifade, a Nigerian citizen who lives in the school's Nazareth House, to a shoulder injury that will sideline him indefinitely. But there's still plenty of reason for optimism under new coach Matt Crawford, as the Irish return three starters: senior guards Rob Brosh and Tom Organ and junior forward Brendan Crawford, the coach's cousin.

8. Rancocas Valley (25-3). The Red Devils looked like a top-3 team before they lost their leading scorer, junior guard Ned Ogoemesim, who transferred to Life Center. The team suffered another blow when junior guard Shaun Bradley suffered a season-ending knee injury in a football game. But there are still talent and a tradition of playing tenacious man-to-man defense. Senior center Nick Davidson is a Bloomsburg recruit, and senior guard Vince Anfield is a top playmaker.

9. Paulsboro (27-3). Player of the Year Xavier Lundy graduated, but the Red Raiders return several veterans of the teams that won the last two South Jersey Group 1 titles. Leading the way should be junior forwards Theo Holloway and Saleem Little and senior guards Keenen Williams and Cassius Carter.

10. Camden (18-11). New coach John Valore's team returns four starters, led by senior guard Tavaris Headen, an All-South Jersey first-team pick who averaged 18.5 points last season. Junior guard Rasool Hinson, sophomore guard Brad Hawkins, and sophomore forward Jamal Holloway are other returning starters for last season's South Jersey Group 3 champions.

11. Eastern (21-7). Senior forward Matt Klinewski, a Lafayette recruit, averaged 18.4 points and was a second-team All-South Jersey selection. He's a relentless player who bangs the boards and gets to the foul line. Senior guard Alex Barr is a good distributor, and senior guard Tom Flacco is an active, athletic defender.

12. Wildwood Catholic (23-6). The Crusaders return all five starters, led by senior forward Ed McWade and senior guard Jordan Robertson. McWade averaged 18.7 points and already has scored 1,000 career points. Senior center Clint Freeman is another top veteran.

13. Schalick (18-9). The Cougars will be led by South Jersey's top returning scorer in 6-9 senior center Rashaan Holloway, a Massachusetts recruit who averaged 22.7 points. Other veterans include senior guard Melvin Allen and senior forward DeAndre Solomon. The Cougars picked up two key additions in Sacred Heart transfers Mike Holloway, a 6-6 junior who is Rashaan's brother, and sophomore lead guard Tyler Lundsford.

14. Lenape (25-4). The Indians suffered a setback when senior forward Cameron Green, their top returning player, suffered an offseason knee injury. Green could be back by February. Lenape will play defense and control the pace on offense. The Indians have some experience up front in senior big men Cole Moody and Jesse Spitznas.

15. Cherokee (11-14). The Chiefs loom as a dark horse in the Olympic American and South Jersey Group 4 with a seasoned squad led by seniors Kyle Kahriger, Ben Handel, Jake Powell, and Kevin Wixted and featuring junior Paul Bellamy, who could be on the brink of a breakout season.

16. Cherry Hill East (18-10). The Cougars return a top guard in junior Jake Silpe, a slick playmaker who averaged 12.8 points and 5.4 assists. Senior guard Austin Wetzler is a returning starter. Sophomore forward Tim Perry, son of former Temple star Tim Perry, could be ready to make an impact.

17. St. Augustine Prep (23-6). The Hermits might be a year away from big thunder but have the talent, tradition, and coaching to be competitive with most teams in South Jersey. Senior guards Brian Seward and Saeed Nelson will lead the way, with sophomore forward Mike Vasturia, freshman forward Justin Mitts, and freshman guard Kevin Kennedy expected to play major minutes.

18. Pemberton (17-9). The Hornets return four starters and should get a big boost from the addition of 6-7 sophomore forward Jean LeBrun, a transfer from Haiti. Senior forward Shaun Brooks averaged 14 points, and sophomores Tyler McShea, I'Javion Ivory, and Antoine Wilson started as freshmen.

19. Willingboro (14-11). The Chimeras return several veterans, led by senior forward Awwal Reid and junior guard Jeff Haddock, son of coach Jeff Haddock.

20. West Deptford (19-9). Senior guard Justin Hansen, a four-year starter, leads the way for a team that returns three other starters: seniors Sean Langan and Mike Gardner and sophomore Marquise Owens.

- Phil Anastasia

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