Preseason NPP Top 25: No. 24 Rice

24. Rice (New York)
Last year: 25-3, Class AA Federation state champion
Coach: Maurice Hicks
Top players: F Shane Southwell (6-6, Sr.); F Kadeem Jack (6-8, Sr.); F Jermaine Sanders (6-4, Jr.); G Devaughn Reid (6-0, Jr.)
Top games: Dec. 18-22 at Chick-Fil-A Classic (Columbia, S.C.); Dec. 26-30 at Glaxo-Smith-Kline Classic (Raleigh, N.C.); Jan. 23 vs. No. 5 Westchester (Calif.) at Primetime Shootout (West Virginia University)
Notable: Rice has emerged as the most dominant program this decade in the highly competitive New York City Catholic ranks. Last season, the Raiders won their second state Federation championship since 2002 and sixth city Catholic title. Southwell (Kansas St.) and Jack are frontcourt players with outstanding athleticism. Reid brings experience and skill to the point guard spot.