Preseason NPP Top 25: No. 10 Milton

10. Milton (Alpharetta, Ga.)
Last year: 24-8, Class 5A state runner-up
Coach: David Boyd
Top players: F Julian Royal (6-8, Jr.); G Dai Jon Parker (6-4, Jr.); G Shannon Scott (6-2, Jr.); F Evan Nolte (6-7, So.)
Top games: Dec. 12 vs. Norcross; Dec. 19-23 at City of Palms Classic (Fort Myers, Fla.); Jan. 14-16 at Bass Pro Tournament of Champions (Springfield, Mo.)
Notable: Four talented starters return, making the Eagles the preseason favorite in Georgia's highly competitive 5A classification. Royal averaged 18 points last season and scored 32 in the state championship game loss to nationally ranked Wheeler. Parker averaged 14 points and Scott was good for 11 points and seven assists per contest. Nolte, who averaged 14 points, was voted the state’s freshman of the year.
Quotable: “We are jet quick, and have lots of experience an depth. Our schedule is brutal, but you become the best by playing the best.” – Boyd, who has 515 wins and four state championships in his coaching career.