MC&S holds off Comm Tech

QUADIR WELTON'S next stop will be St. Peter's University and, come to find out, it's one of his current stops, too.

Welton, a 6-7, 210-pound power forward/center for Math, Civics & Sciences Charter, has witnessed five Peacocks games this season, three at home and one apiece at Rutgers and Seton Hall.

"My seats aren't right at the bench, but I'm only a couple rows up," he said. "I watch the games, and I think I'm going to be a good fit. The coaches say they're a little weak in rebounding, and I'll help them with that.

"I know I'll have to get stronger. Become more aggressive. Get my feet a little quicker . . . And work on my jumper. I'll be able to do some of what I do now, but it's going to be a lot harder in college. Up there, guys box out."

Moments earlier, Welton had said much of his scholastic success can be traced to the fact opponents often neglect to put a body on him.

Case in point: Tuesday, the Mighty Elephants edged Communications Tech, 60-58, in an entertaining Public A contest at Pepper Middle School, in deep Southwest Philly, and Welton scored four times on follows.

Overall, he contributed 13 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks and two assists.

"We were taller than them, plus they weren't boxing me out," Welton said. "I knew I could get follows or tip-ins. I have pretty long arms. I'm always going to try to grab the ball. But if I can't quite do that, I'm gonna tip it in."

With a little more than a minute left, Welton posted a block and rebound to help MC&S preserve a 55-52 lead. At the other end, forward Jeremiah "Lump" Worthem (Robert Morris signee) missed a shot, and Welton canned the follow.

Late treys by Terrance Brown (13) and David Johnson (19), surrounding a turnover, brought the Phoenix within two. After Worthem missed a one-and-one with nine-tenths remaining, a desperation heave did not come close.

Worthem finished with 16 points, raising his career total to a best-at-MC&S 1,169. Zaahir Smith ('09) totaled 1,166.

"Coach [Dan] Jackson was telling us Comm Tech would be tough," Welton said. "I didn't expect them to come at us like that, though. They do have talented players and they hit a lot of threes."

Welton, who lives on 16th Street near Morris in South Philly and plans to major in sports management, has long been admired by coaches and scouting gurus for his unselfish ways. He can seemingly go weeks without getting an entry pass and not complain.

"I know how many good shooters we have," he said. "When I don't get the ball thrown in to me, I can deal with it. I'm mature."