1. Shadow Mountain (Phoenix)
Head coach: Michael Warren
2014-15 record: 23-7

The Matadors were supposed to walk to the Division II title a year ago. Shadow Mountain won the state title in 2013-14 with talented sophomores Jeffrey Rhymes and Michael Bibby leading the way. Then Bibby went down with an injury and he played just nine games. It came to an end in the semifinals. Shadow Mountain returns with only one thing in mind.

See last season's Arizona boys basketball computer rankings

2. Corona del Sol (Tempe)
Head coach: Neil MacDonald
2014-15 record: 33-1

The departures (coach Sam Duane, Marvin Bagley III) have been the storyline for months. That's about to change. The play on the court – led by Saben Lee, Alex Barcello, Tyrell Henderson – will now be the focus and the Aztecs don't plan on relenting. An Arizona big-school record fifth-straight championship is the expectation.

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3. Desert Vista (Phoenix)
Head coach: Tony Darden
2014-15 record: 26-5

The Thunder played second fiddle to Corona del Sol all year long, and then played a terrible title game. The returning duo of Tarik Cool and Caleb Simmons, who is a breakout candidate, are a great foundation, but an inside presence needs to develop. The Thunder will be young but talented.

See last season's Arizona boys basketball playoff brackets

4. Gilbert Christian
Head coach: Kurt Keener
2014-15 record: 25-6

This program has made just as many headlines on the court as off, but when they are on the court, the Knights have been fun to watch. Cameron Satterwhite is out for the year after a summer injury, and three players left for the enigma that is Hillcrest Prep. What's left is one of the state's top players in Mitch Lightfoot and a hungry roster looking to defend its Division II title.

See last season's Arizona boys basketball stat leaders

5. Mesa
Head coach: Shane Burcar
2014-15 record: 25-5

The Jackrabbits are always in the mix – averaging 21.2 wins a season since 2009-10 – and this year should be no different, as they bring back a strong contingent from last year's semifinal squad. Drew Hatch, David Cummard and Darius Goudeau lead a guard-heavy roster.

Jason P. Skoda, a former Arizona Republic sports writer and current Prep Sports Director for 1013 Communications, is a 20-year sports writing veteran. Contact him at jskoda1024@aol.com.