Preseason NPP Top 25: No. 18 Wheeler

18. Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.)
Last year: 25-7, Class 5A state champion
Coach: Doug Lipscomb
Top players: F Jelan Kendrick (6-6, Sr.); G Phil Taylor (5-10, Sr.); G Joey Jerome (6-4, Sr.); G Karl Cochran (5-11, Jr.); F Chuck Mitchell (6-7, So.)
Top games: Dec. 26-31 at Beach Ball Classic (Myrtle Beach, S.C.); Jan. 22 vs. No. 10 Milton; Jan. 28-30 at Montverde Invitational (Montverde, Fla.); Feb. 6 vs. Fairfax (Calif.) at Nike Extravaganza (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Notable: The return of two starters and arrival of one of the nation’s top seniors give the Wildcats a good chance to challenge for their fifth state title since 2002. Kendrick, who played last season at Atlanta Westlake, has great length and athleticism. Taylor (Florida International) returns to run the point. Mitchell has a shot to become one of the top sophomore big men in the country.