Boys Basketball Preview: The Bee's Preseason Top 20

Last season's record in parentheses:

1. Sacramento (26-6) The defensive-minded Sac-Joaquin Section Division III champion Dragons will reload under veteran coach Derek Swafford and should be among the section favorites.

2. Fairfield (24-8) The D-II section finalist enters the season as the division favorite in what will be another competitive race. Coach Eddie Wilson returns eight lettermen from a 24-8 team.

3. Rocklin (26-4) Although Bee All-Metro first-team forward Sean Harris has graduated, the Thunder returns 6-foot-10 Brendan Lane and a group of role players moving into more prominent starting spots.

4. Sheldon (19-12) The Huskies rallied last year from a mediocre regular-season performance to win the D-I section championship. Although one of the area's youngest teams, coach Scott Gradin's squad is considered one of the most talented.

5. Rio Americano (17-10) Coach Brian Davis' deep and talented team is rated among the D-II favorites after moving up a division.

6. Natomas (28-2) Although they graduated a bunch of talented players, the Nighthawks again are loaded with athletes, including Jovan Daniels, who averaged nearly 10 points last season.

7. Will C. Wood (23-6) Coach Mark Wudel has another talented team expected to battle Fairfield for the Monticello Empire League title.

8. Franklin (21-8) The defending Delta Valley Conference champion returns six lettermen, including Bee All-Metro second-teamer Julian Welch and highly regarded junior guard Ryan Sypkens.

9. Elk Grove (16-12) The Thundering Herd should be in the D-II mix with the expected return of its two leading scorers from last year: Yemi Akilo (15.8 ppg) and Kyron Brown (11.2)

10. El Camino (25-3) Coach Justin Clymo's defending Capital Athletic League champion returns 6-10 Andy Shannon, 6-7 Kyle Baxter and 6-3 Austin Bracey but suffered a blow with an injury to 6-5 junior standout Caleb Johnson, who is expected to miss at least half the season.

11. Monterey Trail (16-12) Coach Ken Manfredi will throw a legion of fast, talented players at area opponents, including senior starters Deon Gunn, Pat Livingston, Brandon Broadway and Roop Kahlon.

12. Jesuit (32-2) The Marauders graduated their entire starting lineup from last year's D-II section title team, including Bee Player of the Year Chris Blees, but the Marauders are more likely to reload than rebuild under coach Greg Harcos.

13. Colfax (30-2) With Modesto Christian in their division, the Falcons will be hard-pressed to make it three D-IV section titles in a row under 2006-07 Bee Coach of the Year Ron Pucci. But the team returns seven lettermen.

14. Folsom (21-9) Coach Mike Wall lost 6-7 All-Metro first-teamer Kyle Thomas to graduation but should have enough talent to battle in the Delta River League with Sheldon, Jesuit, Pleasant Grove and Monterey Trail.

15. Granite Bay (23-5) The Grizzlies were one of the area's big surprises last season under interim coach Jason Sitterud, who filled in for Guinn Boggs, now back after missing the 2006-07 season while recovering from heart bypass surgery.

16. Foothill (23-6) Coach Drew Hibbs lost leading scorer Glenn Miller to graduation but, as usual, will squeeze every ounce of talent from players who return this season.

17. Pleasant Grove (9-18) The Eagles have the talent but will be in the brutal Delta River League. Senior guard Xavier Thames averaged 17.6 points last season and 6-6, 280-pound Armond Armstead is a monstrous defender and rebounder.

18. Inderkum (16-12) With the senior leadership of 6-7 inside players Tyler Monroe and Julian Scott and 5-8 guard Ryan Bast, coach Eric Fong has a team that could challenge Natomas in the Tri-County Conference.

19. Cordova (12-13) Coach Bob Jones figures the time is now after fielding a team with no seniors last year. Forward Ethan Stone averaged a team-leading 17.4 points per game last season.

20. Del Oro (11-16) Coach Geoff Broyles' bunch has been getting good reviews from area coaches for its tenacity and physical play.