Preseason Top 25: No. 1 Duncanville

1. Duncanville (Texas)
Coach: Phil McNeely (675-163, 24 years at Duncanville)
2007-08 record: 35-2, Class 5A region finalist (No. 16 in final National Prep Poll)
Top players: G/F Shawn Williams (6-7), Sr.; F Roger Franklin (6-5), Sr.; F Julian Washburn (6-7), Jr.; G Reger Dowell (6-1), Sr.; C/F Perry Jones (6-11), Jr.
Team strength: Size, shooting, defense
Question mark: Experience with three new starters
Toughest games: Dec. 5 vs. Oak Hill Academy (Va.) and Dec. 6 vs. Scott County (Ky.) at Marshall County Hoopfest; Dec. 11 vs. Bishop McGuinness (Okla.); Dec. 13 vs. Brooklyn Lincoln (N.Y.); Dec. 18-23 City of Palms Classic; Dec. 29-30 T-Mobile National HS Federation Tournament; Jan. 12 at Cedar Hill; Jan. 23 vs. LeFlore (Ala.) at Primetime Shootout; Feb. 6 vs. Cedar Hill
Outlook: The Panthers, who lost only twice and both to Top 15 teams last season, feature a blend of experience and highly talented newcomers. All five projected Duncanville starters are high Division I college prospects. The team will face one of most grueling schedules in the country, with the likelihood of facing five or more Top 25 teams. Williams (a Texas commit) and Franklin (Oklahoma St.) have been mainstays since cracking the starting lineup their freshman seasons. As a junior, Williams averaged averaged 17 points and nine rebounds while Franklin contributed 14 points and eight boards. Dowell (Oklahoma St.) has good quickness and handles the ball well. Dallas Wilson transfer Jones (a Baylor recruit) and Washburn are both ranked among the Top 10 juniors in Texas.