Imhotep wins boys' hoops title

Move over Simon Gratz. Make room, Overbrook. Hello, Ben Franklin.

Imhotep Charter last night joined that group - and all the other Public League champions - by defeating the Franklin Learning Center Bobcats, 49-43, in a thriller at Temple's Liacouras Center.

"This is a great feeling. I can't even explain it," said Imhotep Charter guard Sam Prescott, whose squad became Public League members during the 2004-05 season.

"This is an honor," Prescott said. "There are some great teams, some great names to put up [as Public League champions]. To finally be one of them" is an honor.

In the process, Imhotep became the second Class AA school in three seasons to win the league title. But unlike Prep Charter in 2005, the Panthers won the title in their first championship game appearance.

It was a title that didn't come as a surprise.

Imhotep (26-1) is The Inquirer's fourth-ranked team in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The Panthers have won 25 consecutive games since losing to Chester on Dec. 6.

Imhotep's streak is expected to remain intact after the District 12 Class AA championship game with West Catholic next Saturday at the Liacouras Center. The Panthers are also favored to win the Class AA state title.

Guard-heavy Imhotep denied Franklin Learning Center (19-5) the opportunity to win its first title since 1992 and second overall. And a lot of that had to do with Prescott.

The 6-foot-3 senior showed why he's arguably the area's most improved player.

The Marist University signee finished with 24 points, nine rebounds, four blocks and three steals en route to being named the game's MVP. Prescott scored 11 of his points in the fourth quarter, making 9 of 14 foul shots during the quarter.

None were bigger than the six he made in the final 38.3 seconds. Those shots came after the Bobcats pulled to within 43-42 on Denzel Yard's three-pointer with 42.2 seconds left.

With the outcome of the game in the balance, Prescott went on to make 6 of 8 free throws. His last one gave Imhotep a 49-43 advantage with 4.9 seconds remaining.

"My coach always tells me . . . to be confident," Prescott said. "I was feeling confident enough to close the game and win us a championship."

Prescott wasn't the only players with a magical performance. Yard, a 5-11 senior point guard, led Franklin Learning Center with 24 points. The Marist signee scored 10 points in the fourth quarter. He also made a game-high three three-pointers in the loss.

Imhotep Charter   13 11 9 16 - 49

Franklin Learn. Center   7 4 11 21 - 43

IC: Sam Prescott 24, Kenny Battle 4, Ivory Wells 2, Will Adams 2, Parrish Grant 10, Jamal Jones 3, David Appolon 4.

FLC: Jamal Drake 2, Basir Fulmore 1, Turnhan Griffin 3, Jerrod Johnson 5, Nasir Jones 4, Marquis Purnell-Childs 2, Karl Riley 2, Denzel Yard 24.