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Imhotep tops Phila. Electrical to reach Public League title game

You'll forgive the guys on the Imhotep Charter basketball team if they don't seem awed when they walk onto the Liacouras Center court at Temple on Saturday afternoon.

You'll forgive the guys on the Imhotep Charter basketball team if they don't seem awed when they walk onto the Liacouras Center court at Temple on Saturday afternoon.

"When we get there, it won't seem foreign to us," head coach Andre Noble said yesterday. "We won't be feeling any pressure."

It's not that Noble is cocky, it's just that well . . . he and his team have been there before.

Twice over the last 2 years to be exact.

And each time, Imhotep has won the Public League title.

Wednesday, the Panthers earned an opportunity to win their third straight when they defeated Philadelphia Electrical & Technology Charter, 65-45, in a semifinal at Southern High.

They'll face Constitution at the Liacouras Center on Saturday at 3 p.m. Constitution defeated Math, Civics & Sciences Charter, 56-53, in the opener of Wednesday's doubleheader at Southern.

Imhotep will be trying to be the first boys Pub team to win three consecutive title since 1978 when West Philadelphia completed a 5-year run.

Ameen Tanksley led the Panthers Wednesday, scoring 16 points on 6-for-12 shooting. He also had three steals and three blocks.

David Appolon added 14 points on 6-for-7 shooting and had four steals, and Erik Copes contributed eight points and seven blocks.

Each of the trio is headed to Division I programs with Tanksley committed to Niagara, Appolon to Robert Morris and Copes to George Washington.

The Panthers led 31-16 at the half, as Philadelphia Electrical was overmatched from the start.

"Our guys were agressive," said Noble. "They struggled with our pressure. We were up 15 at the half and then we came out at the beginning of the second half and within 2 minutes it was 21."