The Nike/US Lacrosse National High School Boys' Preseason Top 25 was released on Feb. 21. The first in-season South report will drop Feb. 28.

1. Dallas Jesuit (Texas), 17-2

The Rangers return five starters from their first THSLL state championship team. Leading scorers David Sprock (junior midfielder) and Daniel Burnum (senior attackman) are among the returners, along with senior goalie Luke Millican, who was the state tournament MVP with 26 saves in two final four games.

2. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.), 20-0

The Raiders return five starters from last year’s undefeated team that won its first state title in program history. Among those returners is 2016 South Region Player of the Year Kevin Crowley, who had 58 goals and 30 assists. The Raiders have beefed up the schedule and will be making their first trip to Long Island for games against Massapequa (N.Y.) and St. Dominic’s (N.Y.) over spring break.

3. Highland Park (Texas), 17-2

The Fighting Scots return 14 players from last year’s state runner-up team. Leading the way are All-Americans Owen Seebold and Cade Saustad. Seebold, a senior attackman, junior midfielder John House and junior defenseman/midfielder Parker Alexander are team captains.

4. Lambert (Ga.), 21-0

The Longhorns return 17 letterwinners from last year’s team, which won its third state title. Senior midfielder Eric Bay and senior defender Jaryd Jean-Felix are among the top returners. Bay was an All-America last year, and Jean-Felix was first-team all-state.

5. Allatoona (Ga.), 19-2

The Buccaneers return seven starters from their first state championship team, including All-American attackman Carson Sorrells, who finished with 60 goals and 29 assists. A scheduling change, which allows the Bucs 13 out-of-area games this season, has enabled them to load up with a long list of elite opponents that should have Allatoona ready for another postseason run.

6. Ponte Vedra (Fla.), 23-1

The Sharks finished as the state runners-up in their fifth Final Four in six years, and they are loaded for another attempt at becoming the first public school to win the boys’ title in Florida. Every starter returns, including senior attackman Reid Smith (68 goals, 52 assists) and Matthew Keeler (60 goals, 30 assists).

7. Lassiter (Ga.), 18-3

The Trojans return 10 starters from last year’s team, which finished as the runner-up in Class 6A, and hope to make another deep run into the playoffs. Top returners include captains Alex Venturino, Omari Turner and Tyler Oglesby, all senior defenders, and All-American long-stick midfielder Charlie King (Loyola, Md.).

8. Memphis University School (Tenn.), 15-3

The Owls capped off last year by beating Montgomery Bell Academy 12-6 to win their fifth state title in six years and state-leading 12^th TSLA title overall. All-American Cade Klawinski, who scored 66 goals with 20 assists last year, returns to lead the team, and coach Elliott Dent begins the year with 253 career wins.

9. Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.), 19-3

The Crusaders return five top players from last year’s NCHSAA 4A state championship team with Trevor Kirsch, Will Domville, Sean Nelson, Alex Stock and Charles Van Dyke back, but the Crusaders have to replace 11 graduated seniors. All-American defender Chris Wozencroft also returns.

10. Centennial (Ga.), 17-3

With 18 letterwinners returning, including eight starters from last year’s state quarterfinalist team, the Knights are hoping their depth and experience can carry them to a run at the championship. Top returners include attackers Nicky Solomon (74 goals, 85 assists), Colin Hall (68 goals, 40 assists) and Ryan Siracusa (58 goals, 35 assists) and midfielder Luke Sadd, who won 74 percent of his faceoffs. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

• Kevin Crowley
  St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.), Sr., M/D (Hofstra)

• Gabe Mendoza
  Montgomery Bell Academy (Tenn.), Sr., D (Sewanee)

• Nakeie Montgomery
  Episcopal Dallas (Texas), Sr., M (Duke)

• Owen Seebold
  Highland Park (Texas), Sr., A (Syracuse)

• Reid Smith
  Ponte Vedre (Fla.), Sr., A (Jacksonville)