Preseason NPP Top 25: No. 16 Winter Park

16. Winter Park (Fla.)
Last year: 24-8
Coach: David Bailey
Top players: G Austin Rivers (6-4, Jr.); F Adam Jones (6-8, Sr.); G Brett Comer (6-3, Jr.); G Robert Lovaglio (6-4, Jr.); G Isaac Turner (6-2, Sr.)
Top games: Dec. 18-23 at City of Palms Classic (Fort Myers, Fla.); Dec. 29-30 at T-Mobile Invitational (Birmingham, Ala.); vs. Gonzaga (D.C.) at HoopHall Classic (Springfield, Mass.); Feb. 5 at Pine Crest
Notable: The Wildcats burst onto the scene last December after knocking off three nationally ranked teams at the City of Palms Classic. Four starters return from that team, which also reached the state semifinals. Rivers, son of former NBA great Doc Rivers, averaged 23 points as a junior. Jones and Lovaglio also averaged in double-figures. Comer scored 15 points and dished out five assists per contest at Blue Valley Northwest (Kan.). It’s a talented and experienced group that could become dominant if it can remain competitive on the boards.
Quotable: “This is the first time in my coaching career that I will have all juniors and seniors on the team.” – Bailey, who has led the Wildcats to the state final four twice in the last three seasons.