Boys Basketball Power 10: Who is preseason No. 1 in Alabama
The 2022-2023 high school basketball season can officially kick off Thursday.
That is the first available date for AHSAA teams to begin play.
The season will conclude with the state finals in Birmingham Feb. 27-March 4.
With that in mind, here is the AL.com preseason Power 10 boys basketball poll. The information was compiled through staff insights and recommendations from coaches.
The girls Power 10 will be published on Tuesday.
10. Plainview
Class: 3A
Last year’s record: 31-6 (Class 3A state champs)
Returning starters: (3) Luke Smith, Sr., forward; Jonah Williams, Sr., guard; Dylan Haymon, Sr., guard
Newcomers: Levi Brown, Sr., guard; Landan White, Jr., forward; Owen Wilborn, Jr.., guard (All played some last year)
Opener: Nov. 7 at Huntsville
Coach Robi Coker’s comments: We hope our maturity and experience (9 seniors, 6 juniors) can be a positive. We have a good mix of guys coming back that have experienced the ultimate highs and lows as well as a few guys that should feel like they have something to prove. Our philosophy won’t change much, but we have to use this team’s length to our advantage. The schedule is as strong as it has ever been so our approach will have to be elite to have a chance to be successful. It’s a group that has been in our program for a long time so we hope our togetherness can help us, especially early on, as we try to develop our identity. This group knows the expectations and how hard we have to work for this season to be a success.
9. Mountain Brook
Class: 6A
Last year’s record: 29-5
Returning starters: (3) Ty Davis, Jr., guard; Julius Clark, Sr., forward; Kyle Layton, Sr., guard/forward (Layton is out indefinitely with a torn ACL)
Newcomers: Andrew Kohler, Sr., guard
Opener: Nov. 8 at Calera
Coach Tyler Davis’ comments: I expect this team to get better and better as the season continues and hopefully be hitting on all cylinders when the area Tournament rolls around.
8. Jacksonville
Class: 4A
Last year’s record: 28-5 (Class 4A state champs)
Starters returning: (3) John Broom, Sr., guard; Caden Johnson, Sr., guard; Cameren Johnson, Sr., guard
Newcomers to watch: Devin Barksdale, Soph., guard; Ethan Duke, Sr., forward; Jaliek Long, senior guard (All were on team last year but will contribute more heavily this season)
Opener: Nov. 12 vs. Kings Ridge, Ga., in Atlanta
Coach Tres Buzan’s comments: We have high expectations coming off of the 4A state championship. Very tough schedule this season, trying to prepare for another run at a state championship. A lot of the same faces are stepping into new roles. This new team has to figure out its identity to get back on top.
7. Hoover
Class: 7A
Last year’s record: 21-10
Starters returning: (0) However, Salim London, DeWayne Brown, Elijah Herron, Noah McAfee and Jarett Fairley played significant minutes last season.
Newcomers to watch: Jake Hatch, Sr., forward; Jonathan Caicedo, Sr., forward; Elijah Thomas, Jr., guard
Opener: Nov. 10 at Central-Tuscaloosa
Coach Scott Ware’s comments: Strive to have a team first attitude and Challenge Everything! Our success will depend upon how well we play together as a team in all facets of the game. Love this team and their approach to the offseason. Hopefully, we can carry that attitude throughout each game and the season.
6. Grissom
Class: 7A
Last year’s record: 24-5
Returning starters: (4) Franklin (RJ) Johnson, Sr., guard; Israel (Izzy) Miles, Sr., guard; Justin McCall, Jr., forward; Brendan Martin, Jr., forward. Part-time starter – Darrin (DJ) Thompson, Sr., guard
Newcomers: Tim Keeter, Sr., guard; Tyler Wall, Jr., guard; Tyler Horne, Sr., guard; Javon Alexander, Soph., guard
Opener: Nov. 8 vs. Bob Jones
Coach Jack Doss’ comments: Returning great leadership with high expectations. First year with great depth. We are going to be an exciting basketball team to watch.
5. Ramsay
Class: 5A
Last year’s record: 25-10 (state runner-up)
Returning starters: (4) Jalen Jones, Sr., point guard; Zedrick Powell, Jr., guard; Kerrington Kiel, Sr., forward; QB Reese, Jr., forward
Newcomers: Montez Dunson, Sr., guard; Jayden Williams, Soph., guard; Jeremiah Williams, Soph., forward; JaQuille Malone, Jr., forward
Opener: Nov. 21 vs. Austin at Bob Jones
Coach Denton Johnson’s comments: With as much humility as possible we expect a blue map this year. We expect a 25-plus win season, area championship, regional championship, state championship.
4. Huntsville
Class: 7A
Last year’s record: 23-11
Returning starters: (3) Ja’Mari Arnold, Sr., point guard; Caleb Harrison, Jr., forward; John David Gossett, Soph., guard
Newcomers: Simon Walker, Soph., guard (Transfer from James Clemens)
Opener: Nov. 3 vs. Oakwood Academy
Coach Christian Schweers comments: We are older, more experienced and hungry. If we choose to play to our standard every day, we have a chance to be special and max out our potential.
3. Baker
Class: 7A
Last year’s record: 31-4
Returning starters: (4) Labaron Philon, Jr., guard; Josh Flowers, Jr., forward; Andersen Madyun, Jr., forward; Charles Taylor, Jr., guard
Newcomers: Dashawn Beverly, Jr., guard; Jaden Campbell, Sr., guard; Alex Threadgill, Sr., forward; Ryan Majors, Jr., guard
Opener: Nov. 9 vs. Daphne at McGill-Toolen
Coach David Armstrong’s comments: We return all but one starter from last year’s team that was ranked No. 1 for a good part of the season. We have high expectations for ourselves this season and look to make another deep run.
2. Cullman
Class: 6A
Last year’s record: 29-3 (Class 6A state champs)
Starters returning: (3) Garrison Sharpe, Sr., point guard; Tucker Cagle, Sr., forward; Nate Zills, Sr., center
Newcomers: Jake Dorough, Soph., guard; Colton Echols, Jr., guard; Sam Duskin, Jr., guard; Landon Tweedie, Sr., guard
Opener: Nov. 7 vs. Calera
Coach Stu Stuedeman’s comments: This year’s version of our team should be a very deep and offensively skilled club. If we can continuously mature and grow as a formidable defensive unit, I expect us to reach our potential and have a season our program, school and community can be proud of.
1. Pinson Valley
Class: 6A
Last year’s record: 24-8
Starters returning: (3) Terry Conner, Sr., point guard; Caleb White, Jr., guard
Newcomers: Amari Bowens, Jr., guard; Ray McCants, Soph., guard; Austin Coner, Soph., guard; Clyde Walters, Fr., guard (McCants and Coner started at different points in last season)
Opener: Nov. 5 vs. Selma (12 p.m.) and Park Crossing (4 p.m.) at Park Crossing.
Coach Darrell Barber’s comments: First off, I pray for a healthy season. We will definitely play an up-tempo style. I fully expect our guys to play hard, play free, and play together.
Teams to watch: Autaugaville, Buckhorn, Central-Phenix City, Cottage Hill, Covenant Christian, Daphne, Decatur Heritage, Enterprise, Georgiana, Haleyville, Huffman, Highland Home, James Clemens, Lee-Huntsville, Mars Hill, McGill-Toolen, Midfield, Murphy, Oakwood Academy, Orange Beach, Scottsboro, Theodore, UMS-Wright, Westminster Christian, Williamson.