ConHigh's King leads by example

ONE WOULD think that the best moment of Akeem King's basketball life occurred last March, when Constitution High captured the Class A state championship.

And one would be halfway correct.

The co-gem can be traced to roughly the midway point of last summer, and it unfolded on one of the outdoor courts at North Philly's Martin Luther King Rec Center.

In this corner: Akeem King.

In that one: Abdul King.

They didn't do battle in boxing, but they might as well have.

"We were playing one-on-one, up to five points," Akeem said. "I beat my brother for the first time ever. By 5-3. I did it with drives. That was so exciting. Like winning the state championship."

And?

"He got pretty mad," Akeem said. "He said we had to play again right away. He was fired up. Beat me, 5-2."

And?

"I haven't beat him since."

King, a 5-11, 155-pound wing guard, told that story late Tuesday afternoon in an office right next to the gym at Ben Franklin High. Right outside the door, Constitution was practicing for the upcoming first round of the AA state playoffs (it decided to move up to AA), and King peeked out every so often to see what was happening.

That's how things go for leaders.

Though King is only a sophomore, he qualifies as the Generals' graybeard. That's the case because all other members of ConHigh's 2011-12 rotation were seniors and when graduation day came, presto, Akeem became the King.

Must have been rough, since he's such a quiet, young man.

"Actually, it was pretty easy," he said. "I am quiet off the court, that's true, but when I'm out there playing, I talk through the whole game. That's what a leader has to do.

"If I have to yell, I do it. But mostly I'm just reminding guys of things, making sure we're playing hard and smart, and that everyone's focused."

Coach Rob Moore loved the fact that King was receiving media attention.

"He does so many little things for us," Moore said. "And he has no ego."

Assistant Fran Hamilton echoed those thoughts, almost to the word, and then mentioned some aspects of King's offseason.

"After we won the championship," Hamilton said, "Akeem took about a month off. When we started with some offseason stuff, he was way behind. But then, he did not miss a day. We'd make the kids run at Temple, then come here for workouts. He was great."

And sweaty.

"It was always so hot in here," King said. "Felt like 100 degrees, at least. It was probably 4 days a week for an hour or 2. It was usually me and Kimar Williams [now the point guard] and [former stars] Daiquan Walker and Tamir Bolger.

"We'd go two-on-two and always mix up the teams. Play hard. All that time helped me as a player and, even more, as a leader. Daiquan and Tamir would always talk to me about how I'd have to show the way. I still think about all their good advice."

Aside from King and Williams, the Generals' starting lineup includes guard Floyd Preito and forwards Ahmad Gilbert and Raheem Liggins. They're young bucks, also, and truth be told, there's not one senior on the entire roster.

The Generals own a 16-9 record . . . along with some rust. They haven't played since Feb. 16, when they fell to Communications Tech, 78-75, in the AA championship game, which doubled as a Public League quarterfinal.

Saturday, 6 p.m., at William Allen High in Allentown, as District 12's third seed, they'll bang heads with Notre Dame Green Pond.

"We know how it goes in the state playoffs," said King, who lives on North Woodstock Street, near 20th and Susquehanna. "Can't take anything for granted. Everybody's coming at you. You have to be ready."

Meanwhile, Abdul King is just not older than Akeem. He enjoyed a productive high school career at Constitution (class of 2011; after spending his first 2 years at Roman Catholic), and this season had some special moments for Kutztown. He even won a Player of the Week award in the PSAC's Eastern Conference.

Alas, because of knee miseries, he was forced to shut things down early.

"He's been to some of our games," Akeem said. "I like having him around, because he gives me good advice."

Akeem then added, with obvious pride, in reference to how his oncourt/offcourt personalities compare with his brother's, "We're exactly alike."

And once Abdul's knee improves, they'll do battle again. Maybe even win one-on-one showdowns in like numbers.