Public League boys' quarterfinals feature two games on Wednesday
It has been a good week for the Imhotep boys' basketball basketball program. On Monday, the Panthers (20-2, 9-1) survived a scare from feisty Audenreid, 74-69, in third-round Class 4A action in the Public League playoffs.
It has been a good week for the Imhotep boys' basketball basketball program.
On Monday, the Panthers (20-2, 9-1) survived a scare from feisty Audenreid, 74-69, in third-round Class 4A action in the Public League playoffs.
Then on Tuesday, coach Andre Noble's nationally-renowned Panthers upgraded their stock from No. 8 to No. 7 in USA Today's Super 25 national rankings.
The Panthers' two headliners are senior guards Daron Russell (Rhode Island recruit) and David Beatty (South Carolina), but their depth in the front court also makes them dominant inside.
As a result of Monday's victory, Imhotep has earned a bye and will wait to play in Friday's semifinals at Southern.
By virtue of its 86-39 throttling of World Communications, Del-Val also earned a bye. Senior wing Mahki Morris leads the Warriors, helped by junior guard Antwuan Butler.
Wednesday's quarterfinal doubleheader at Southern features Math, Civics and Sciences against Lincoln at 5 p.m., and Sankofa against Martin Luther King at 6:30 p.m.
The MC&S Mighty Elephants enter after a rousing 78-75 win over Constitution in which Saheed Peoples made a game-winning three-pointer with about six seconds left.
A strength of coach Danny Jackson's squad has become its varied offensive attack. Malik Archer, who is averaging 21 points per game and is the team's leading scorer, had 14 points against the Generals, while Peoples and Tymair Johnson led the team with 18 points apiece.
The Mighty Elephants likely need to continue that trend to contend for the Public League championship, which is scheduled for Feb. 23 at St. Joseph's University's Hagan Arena.
Lincoln (22-3, 14-1), is led by junior forward Jahi Randall, junior guard Khalif Meares and senior guard Nassir Coleman. The Railsplitters jumped on Frankford early on Monday en route to a 71-56 victory.
In contrast, King (18-7, 5-6) started the season slowly, in part, because of the need to acclimate several new faces. Coach Sean Colson's team, however, has coalesced into a more-than-formidable foe.
Sophomore guard Jihad Watson has been a recent catalyst alongside senior forward Elijah Kiah-El and Denelle Holy Jr., both of whom transferred from Washington. The Cougars can turn defense into offense quickly, but turnovers and poor decision making remain areas of concern.
Sankofa (12-8, 5-6) has also struggled with inconsistent play but was buoyed by its second unit in Monday's Class A championship win against Parkway Northwest.
Coach Isaiah Thomas's bench turned a 38-all tie early in the third quarter into a 59-45 advantage entering the fourth.
Khalil Turner led the way with 18 points. Scott Spann and Kobe Devine added 10 points apiece. Iboo Dabo led the second unit with 10 points. Also off the bench, James Savage and Omar Long added six points apiece.
This will be a tough haul for Sankofa, but its depth could certainly help its cause.
@AceCarterINQ