Preseason NPP Top 25: No. 5 Westchester

5. Westchester (Los Angeles)
Last year: 35-2, Division I state champion
Coach: Ed Azzam
Top players: G Jordin Mayes (6-3, Sr.); F Dwayne Polee (6-6, Sr.); G Kareem Jamar (6-5, Sr.); C Reggie Murphy (6-10, Sr.)
Top games: Dec. 18-23 at City of Palms Classic (Fort Myers, Fla.); Dec. 26-30 at Les Schwab Invitational (Portland, Ore.); Jan. 13 at Fairfax; Jan. 18 vs. St. Anthony (N.J.) at Hoophall Classic (Springfield, Mass.); Jan. 23 vs. No. 24 Rice (N.Y.) at Primetime Shootout (West Virginia University); Feb. 1 at Fairfax.
Notable: The five-time state champion Comets have great depth and experience returning. Polee (USC) and Mayes each averaged in double figures last season. Jamar is a hard worker and a great rebounder. Murphy is a skilled big man with good potential.
Quotable: “Our guard play should be outstanding, and our post play has improved tremendously.” – Azzam, who is 645-203 in 31 seasons at Westchester.