2011-12 All Met Sports High School basketball preview

Basketball preview: Where the boys are

(Preston Keres / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST)

Josh Barr

For most of the area’s top players, the question isn’t whether to play in a private program, it’s which one. And there are more schools than ever wooing top talent.

The Post Top 20: Boys

Montrose Christian, one of the top teams in the country, opens this season where it ended last — at No. 1.

The Post Top 20: Girls

Riverdale Baptist, which has finished No. 1 the past three seasons, begins this season in the top spot.

All-Met Watch: Week 1

Consider this a cheat sheet for the top talent. Eight returning All-Mets are on the opening lists for boys and girls.

Video: Season preview

Josh Barr takes a look at the upcoming boys’ basketball season, with highlights of top players. GIRLS’ PREVIEW

District previews

Maryland

ROCKVILLE, MD - JANUARY 24, 2011: Magruder's Garland Owens (44) races the ball upcourt against Springbrook's P.J. Purnell (25). (Photo by Preston Keres/For The Washington Post)

Montgomery 4A boys

Josh Barr

Perennial powers Magruder and Springbrook should once again be the class of the league. | GIRLS

Virginia

West Springfield's Logan Battle

AAA Patriot girls

Paul Tenorio

West Springfield is once again a favorite in the district and the Northern Region. | BOYS

Private Schools

WASHINGTON, DC - March 7: Roosevelt's Kameron Taylor, left, tries top shut down DeMatha's James Robinson during the Abe Pollin City Title game at the Verizon Center on Monday, March 7, 2011. DeMatha defeated Roosevelt 52-50 to win the title. (Photo by Toni L. Sandys/Washington Post)

WCAC boys

Josh Barr

DeMatha, Gonzaga and Paul VI Catholic are the teams to watch in the area’s top league. | GIRLS

D.C.

WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 26: Woodson's Jephany Brown (C) goes to the hoop against Coolidge's Dominique Travers (L) and April Edwards (R) during their DCIAA girls's championship basketball game on February 26, 2011, at Coolidge High School in Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ernst/For the Washington Post)

DCIAA, charter school girls

James Wagner

H.D. Woodson, on an 87-game conference win streak, should once again be the District’s top girls’ team.