Dobbins’ Jerrell Wright making himself at home at La Salle

Jerrell Wright is now 0-1 in the La Salle University portion of his basketball career.

More to the point, he's still looking for his first win, aside from pickup games, in the Explorers' Tom Gola Arena.

The 6-8 Wright, a bruising but also athletic center, yesterday represented Murrell Dobbins Tech in the 24th annual All-Star Labor Classic, which benefits United Cerebral Palsy of Philadelphia & Vicinity. Repped it in old-school fashion, even.

"My coach gave me these," Wright said, tugging on his red shorts, complete with large, white D's on each upper thigh. "He brought them over to me just before the game. Said I can keep them, too. Nice piece of memorabilia."

Indeed. Wright said coach William Johnson told him the shorts go back to 1985, when Dobbins stormed to the Public League championship and saw two of those stars, Eric "Hank" Gathers and Greg "Bo" Kimble, earn spots on the Daily News' All-City first team.

Wright earned that same honor last Thursday and even claimed player of the year honors, as did former Mustangs Horace "Pappy" Owens in 1979 (he's now a La Salle assistant) and Doug Overton in 1987.

With 15 players on the roster, Wright yesterday had to settle for 15 minutes of playing time as City fell to Suburbs, 114-111. The personable lefty shot 5-for-8 and 1-for-1 for 11 points and grabbed two rebounds and, oh, my goodness, he even attempted a three-pointer.

Alas, it missed.

"I didn't try one for Dobbins all season," he said, smiling. "Last year I had three in one game. But this year I figured if they weren't able to stop me inside, no use going outside. I took that one today because I was thinking,'Wonder if I could make one?' "

Wright, who lives near Broad and Lehigh, an easy walk from Dobbins, was cheered on by roughly a dozen family members.

When his name was announced before the game, one of the younger girls hollered, "We love you'Rell."

"They weren't expecting anything extra out of me," Wright said. "They just wanted me to have fun and play my game. I work out up here a lot - doing workout drills, playing in some pickup games - so I was really looking forward to a real game. My first one with referees.

"I know this floor pretty good. I even have favorite spots already. I know I'll be comfortable here and I wanted to start off with a nice one. I wasn't getting the ball as much as I liked - that's all-star games - and that was why I took matters into my own hands."

He was referring to his most impressive moment: a lengthy baseline drive that concluded with a curled-in layup.

"Had to do what I had to do," he cracked. "Hey, I'm gonna be playing here next year. Gotta get some points, right?"

Earl Brown, a frontcourt sub for Imhotep Charter, shot 8-for-8 for 16 City points. Erik Copes (Imhotep) and Juan'ya Green (Archbishop Carroll) were right behind with 15 and 14. Copes, who's bound for George Washington, also snatched eight rebounds. Green (seven), a Niagara signee, and Philadelphia Electricial & Technology Charter's Devante Chance (five) led in assists.

Jabril Trawick and Kenneth Johnson, teammates at Abington Friends, halved 28 points for Suburbs.

While majoring in sports management, Wright also intends to expand his hoops skills.

"I feel as though I've got the true big-man stuff down," he said. "Now I want to improve my [overall] moves and be able to step out a little, too. Not to the three-point line, but at least for foul-line jumpers.

"I was happy to be able to play here today, and I'm looking forward to all the games to come."

Just because Aleesha Powell attends Penn Charter, don't expect her to get all over-the-top analytical on us.

Sometimes, deep thought is not even close to necessary.

After noting she's never been that terrific from beyond the arc, Powell was asked why eight of her first nine attempts were treys in the girls' All-Star Labor Classic.

"They left me open, so . . . " said the 5-5, Iona-bound guard. "If you're not going to step up and guard me, might as well shoot it."

Later, she was asked why her final four shots were "regulars."

"They started playing me for my jump shot, so I decided to drive," she noted.

See, basketball can be such a simple game.

As City bested Suburbs, 84-82, Powell shot 6-for-13 (4-for-8 on treys) for 16 points. She also co-led her squad in rebounds, with six, and dished a pair of assists, as well.

"My three-pointer is getting better and better," she said. "I've worked on it a lot. I didn't change my form, or anything. Just practiced. Repetition."

Powell, who lives not far from Saint Joseph's University, envisions a career in kinesiology.

"I've had to go through treatment for various injuries - knee, back; never anything major - and I've liked watching the physical therapist working so well with the kids," she said. "It makes me want to do that, too."

She added, "It meant a lot to give back and help this cause [cerebral palsy]. Any time you get a chance to help the less fortunate, you should do it."

Like many of the girls in this event, Powell has ties to a former boys' stalwart. Her father, Mike Powell, was a productive sixth-man guard for West Philadelphia's 1977 Public League and City kingpins. In the Pub final, a 61-51 win over Overbrook, Powell started due to the absence of all-timer Gene Banks (violation of team rules) and came through with 13 points and six rebounds.

So, has Aleesha been "coached" by her dad?

"Of course," she said, laughing. "Since I was 4 years old."