Alabama high school boys basketball: See the preseason Power 10

Four teams in AL.com’s preseason Power 10 rankings will square off on opening night Thursday of the 2026-2027 high school season.No. 2 Huntsville hosts No. 4 and reigning 7A champ Tuscaloosa County, while No. 6 Hoover and No. 5 Saraland tangle in the McGill-Toolen Tip-Off tournament in Mobile.RELATED: Top returning basketball playersThe Power 10 ranks the top high school boys basketball teams in Alabama regardless of classification. The preseason rankings were developed from AL.com staff insights and key coaches’ opinions.AHSAA basketball teams can officially open the season Thursday. Vestavia Hills' Johnny Towry shoots a free throw during the boys 7A Area 6 high school basketball playoff game between Vestavia Hills and Oak Mountain, in Hoover, Ala., Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (Vasha Hunt | preps.al.com)Vasha Hunt10. Vestavia Hills (24-7)Head coach: Patrick Davis (11th season at Vestavia)Returning starters: (2) Johnny Towry, Sr., F (15 ppg, 6 rpg), Adrian Peterson, Sr., PG (7 ppg, 2 rpg, 2 apg)Other key players: Jake Cesnick, Jr., G; Luke Stubbs, Sr., G; Henry McKinnon, Sr., FCoachspeak: “I like our team. We have a little bit of everything. We have a lot of football guys so should be better in the back half of the year.”Opening game: vs. Bob Jones, Nov. 10Montgomery Academy's Mason Ellis is fouled by Southside-Selma's Kendrell Wilson Jr. during the AHSAA Class 3A boys state championship at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala., Friday, March 6, 2026. (Dennis Victory | preps@al.com)Dennis Victory9. Montgomery Academy (27-7, Class 3A state champs)Head coach: Jeremy Arant (8th season as head coach at MA)Returning starters: (3) Jarrett Friendly, Sr., G/F (14 ppg, 11 rpg, 3 apg, 3 steals, 2 blocks); Mason Ellis, Jr., PG (16 ppg, 4 apg, 5 rpg, 3 steals); Jay Jay Jackson, Jr., PG/G (8 ppg, 4 apg, 5 steals).Other key players: Robert McGaughey, Sr., F; Caleb Myles, Jr., G/F; Blake Parnel, Sr., FCoachspeak: “We are a very deep this year with several guys who will be able to contribute on any given night. We also return several key players who have played big roles in the past and will play even bigger roles this season. We will be a team that is unselfish and plays extremely hard and defends each and every night.”Opening game: vs. Stanhope Elmore, Nov. 23 (Coach Larry Chapman Foundation Tip Off Classic)Fairhope's Trey Garner tries to get past Hoover's Michael Glass during the AHSAA Class 7A boys state semifinals at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, March 5, 2026. (Dennis Victory | preps@al.com)Dennis Victory8. Fairhope (28-6)Head coach: Ralph Watson (15th total season at Fairhope)Returning starters: (2) Trey Garner, Sr., F/C (15.4 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 2.1 blocks); Knox Lawson, Jr., G (11.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg)Other key players: Cooper Gardner, Sr., G; Braden Bradley, Sr., G; Braeden Goodbody, Sr., F, Logan Rogers, Soph. FCoachspeak: “Potential is there, but will it come together? Don’t know the answer yet.”Opening game: vs. St. Paul’s, Nov. 19 (Robertsdale Pre-Thanksgiving tournament)7. Central-Phenix City (15-12)Head coach: Steve RogersReturning starters: Braden Daniel, Soph., PG; LaDarrius Copeland, Jr., GOther key players: Braylen Alexander, Soph., G; Xavier Davies, Jr., GCoachspeak: “In my opinion, we will be a very exciting team to watch.”Opening game: at Carver-Montgomery, ThursdayHoover's Michael Gates shoots during the boys 7A Northeast Regional final between Sparkman and Hoover, in Jacksonville, Ala., Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (Vasha Hunt | preps.al.com)Vasha Hunt6. Hoover (25-11)Head coach: Scott Ware (7th season)Returning starters: (3) Michael Gates, Soph., G (2.5 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 1 apg); Xavier Smith, Soph., F; KJ Steele, Sr., C (3 ppg, 3 rpg)Other key players: Tory Smith, Soph., G; Kaiden Newberry, Jr. FCoachspeak: “New team with new aspirations. Young experience wise group with a lot of talent. Looking to grow throughout the season to reach our potential. Should be in the mix to make another postseason run as long as the guys can stay healthy.”Opening game: vs. Saraland, Thursday (McGill-Toolen Tip-Off Classic)Saraland's LJ Williams and Oxford's Marcus Perry Jr. fight for position during the AHSAA Class 6A boys state semifinals at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala, Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (Vasha Hunt | preps.al.com)Vasha Hunt5. Saraland (28-8)Head coach: Dru Powell (4th season)Returning starters: (3) LJ Williams, Jr., F; Traesyn Harvey, Sr., G); KJ Brady, Sr., FOther key players: Caedon Warren, Sr., G; Cade Abston, Sr., GCoachspeak: “After winning 50 games over the past two seasons and reaching the state semifinals last season, the Spartans are expecting another great season this year. With the return of LJ Williams, the Spartans will likely have the best player on the court every night. This schedule is not one for the faint of heart as they will be battle tested when 2027 rolls around. If this team can stay healthy, they should be poised for another great season in The Land.” Opening game: vs. No. 6 Hoover, Thursday (McGill-Toolen Tip Off Tournament)Tuscaloosa County's Zi Davis shows the location of his championship ring after the win over Hoover during the AHSAA Class 7A boys state championship at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala., Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Dennis Victory | preps@al.com)Dennis Victory4. Tuscaloosa County (29-6, Class 7A state champs)Head coach: Curt Weeks (21st season)Returning starters: (3) Zi Davis, Sr., G; Kaleb Tillman, Jr., G; Zae Edwards, Sr., GOther key players: Clark Burrage, Sr., G; Donnavin Turner, Sr., G; Bralen Dove, Sr., GCoachspeak: “We return 8 of the 12 players on our state championship team from last year. Team is excited and ready to go see how good they can be this year.”Opening game: at No. 2 Huntsville, ThursdayOxford coach Joel Van Meter directs her team during the AHSAA Class 6A boys state championship at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala., Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Dennis Victory | preps@al.com)Dennis Victory3. Oxford (30-4, Class 6A state champs)Head coach: Joel Van Meter (17th season)Returning starters: (4) Marcus Perry, Sr., F; Caileb Wilson, Jr., G; Chris Latson, Sr., F; Jermaine Caver, Soph., GOther key players: Cooper Romano, Sr, G; Conner Richerzhagen, Sr., G; Pierce Van Meter, Jr., G; Jermaine Caver, Soph., GCoachspeak: “We return some great experience from last year’s team. Our success will be determined by how well we learn to approach each day. Can we get better daily? As always If we can defend, rebound and take care of the ball, we will give ourselves a great opportunity to be successful.” Opening game: Columbus, Miss., Nov. 7 (Tupelo HS)Huntsville's Evan Toms works inside during the boys 7A Northeast Regional game between Hoover and Huntsville, in Jacksonville, Ala., Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. (Vasha Hunt | preps.al.com)Vasha Hunt2. Huntsville (28-5)Head coach: Christian Schweers (9th season)Returning starters: (4) Evan Toms, Sr., F (21.1 ppg 8.9 rpg); Hudson Gossett, Sr., G (12 ppg, 41 percent from 3); Tyson Bobik, Jr., PG (9 ppg, 3 rpg, 3 apg), David Harrison, Sr., F (3 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 blocks)Other key players: Graham Gossett, Jr., G; Josiah Saevarsson, Fr., F; Caleb Pollastro, Jr. F; Pedro Santos, Soph., GCoachspeak: “I like our team a lot. We have several returners plus several guys that have been in the program more than two years. We have the chance to be really special, but we have a ways to go. Our ability to block out noise, good or bad, and to be the most physical team night in and night out will tell us where we end up late in the year.”Opening game: vs. No. 4 Tuscaloosa County, ThursdaySparkman's Landen Malone works against Vestavia Hills' Luke Stubbs for a shot during the boys 7A Northeast Regional game between Vestavia Hills and Sparkman, in Jacksonville, Ala., Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. (Vasha Hunt | preps.al.com)Vasha Hunt1. Sparkman (22-12)Head coach: Obadiah Threadgill IVReturning starters: F Landen Malone, G Landon Howard, G Dee Williams, F Zach JohnsonOther key players: G Jeremiah Garner, G Amari McNealOpening game: Nov. 11 vs. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (at Mae Jemison High School)Other teams to watch: Gadsden City, James Clemens, Dothan, Bob Jones, Spain Park, Paul Bryant, Fairfield, Wenonah, LeFlore, Orange Beach, Midfield, Brantley, Cullman, McGill-Toolen, Mountain Brook, Spanish Fort.EDITOR’S NOTE: Coaches, to report scores and stats this year, please send an email to preps@al.com immediately after your games. AL.com will be running highlights on Tuesdays and Fridays until the postseason.AHSAA makes changes to shot clock guidelines ahead of 2026-27 season Who are some of the top Alabama HS boys basketball players to watch in the 2026-2027 season?Red Bay basketball standout transferring to new program in FloridaPaul W. 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