Johnson points Imhotep to another district championship

Terrell Johnson did not have to think very long when asked if he knew how many floor shots he'd attempted.

"Three," he said.

Not surprisingly, he also knew he'd sunk that same amount and if numbers-related questioning had continued, he could have answered three again and again and again.

While helping Imhotep Charter capture its, yes, third consecutive District 12 Class AA title Saturday afternoon at St. Joseph's Prep - West Catholic was the 68-40 victim - Johnson used his three makes (one was a trey) to total seven points. He also contributed three rebounds, three assists and, hey, whaddaya know, three steals.

But the overall story for the 5-11, 150-pound senior point guard features lower numbers, two and one.

You see, he's a two (as in wing guard) on the AAU trail and a one (as in point guard) for Imhotep coach Andre Noble.

"My coaches always put me at two guard in AAU stuff," Johnson said. "When I played last summer for Positive Image, Devante Chance [of Philadelphia Electrical & Technology Charter] ran the point. I can score, too, so I guess that's why it always happens.

"Point guard's what I like the best, though, and what I'm looking to play in college. Where? Well, I'm hearing from Adelphi and West Chester and I'll take anywhere that'll get me on the court the soonest."

Since Imhotep is a strong favorite to claim a state title, college coaches could have five more chances to make judgments on Johnson.

The thing is, the Panthers' rotation is nine deep and two other guys, Bakari White and Brandon Austin, also fill the distributor's role.

Coming into the season, there was no guarantee Johnson would retain his starting status after the free-for-all for jobs concluded. But he did, and he's proud.

"Coach says I'm an extension of him on the floor, so I know that what I do is important," Johnson said. "It gives you confidence when the coach puts the ball in your hands.

"I put everybody in good positions, and I get them the ball so they can score their points. Guys know, if they work hard to get open, they're gonna get it. I worked hard all summer to be able to do my job even better."

Junior Khyree Wooten led Imhotep with 13 points while a pair of Division-I signees, wing players David Appolon (Robert Morris) and Ameen Tanksley (Niagara), were next in line with 11 and 10, respectively. The third D-I recruit, center Erik Copes, had five points.

Only Julian Lee (11) scored in double figures for West, which hadn't played since Feb. 16.

This basically became a no-contest after Imhotep broke away from an 11-7 count by rattling off 13 consecutive points. Both before and after, turnovers were a big issue. The teams finished with 53, and West captured that contest, 29-24.

"The ball was slippery," said Johnson, who lives near 22nd and Lehigh, footsteps from Murrell Dobbins Tech, and hopes to become a physical therapist. "I was having trouble with it. It was the same for both teams, of course.

"The thing is, I'm always looking to keep my turnovers down and my assists up, and keep everybody happy. If we play together, we always win."