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View the web-exclusive gallery here
View the web-exclusive gallery of their celebration party here.
When Prep Charter students walk into gym class, where basketball coach Dan Brinkley stands by the door, they can’t help but admire the gold medal hanging from his neck.
It isn’t just any medal. It’s the one Brinkley and his players received March 24 following the Huskies’ thrilling 68-66 comeback over Aliquippa in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association AA state championship game. In the process, the squad became the first Philadelphia Public League school to win back-to-back state championships in any sport.
"It’s special this year because our team is so young," the coach said. "But I also have three great seniors who were able to go out with a victory."
This win didn’t come easily. Normally, when a team commits 33 turnovers and trails by 15 points with 5:21 remaining in regulation, the chances of coming out on top are bleak.
"Some of it was from sloppy play and the fact that we were playing for a state title at the Bryce Jordan Center," Brinkley said of the turnovers. "I told them, ‘Let’s just get [the deficit] down to six with three minutes and we’ll work from there.’"
With 2:09 remaining, the Huskies trailed 64-59. Senior Kevin Radford drained a three for Prep Charter, making it 64-62.
Aliquippa held a one-point advantage with 11 seconds on the clock. Huskies senior Marcus Morris stepped to the foul line for two shots, making the second and tying the contest at 66. Morris would seal the win five seconds later by converting two more free throws.
"That was a character win," Brinkley said.
The Huskies’ man-to-man defense also played a huge role.
Offensively, Prep Charter delivered a balanced effort with five players tallying nine points or more. The 6-foot-10 Markieff Morris dominated once again with 16 points and 16 rebounds, while twin brother Marcus also recorded a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds. Radford had the hot shooting touch, making four of five three-pointers, finishing with 14 points. Parrish Grant added 14, while Jesse Morgan had nine.
The championship made for a more enjoyable four-hour commute back to South Philadelphia.
"The ride wasn’t bad at all after a victory," Brinkley said.
The Prep Charter players arrived at Penn State the night of March 23 so they could settle in and not worry about traveling eight hours on the same day.
Dramatic finishes are nothing new for this Prep Charter squad. In the Public League championship game, the Huskies edged out Simon Gratz, 49-48, to win the school’s first District 12 crown in any sport. In a first-round state tournament match, which was played at South Philadelphia High School March 10, the champs narrowly escaped with a 46-45 victory over Trinity.
Prep Charter knew going into the state final it was in for another tough battle, as Aliquippa (30-3) entered the contest the winner of 23 straight. Add the fact it was rated No. 1 or 2 all season by the Harrisburg-Patriot News and the western Pennsylvania school was a legitimate threat to dethrone the defending champs.
"It was the first time they lost in almost two months," Brinkley said of Aliquippa.
The victory avenged one of Prep Charter’s (27-4) four defeats of the year, as it dropped a non-league contest to Aliquippa, 78-70. It was one of many tough games the Huskies had on their regular-season slate in preparation for the Public League and state championship runs. They also played nationally ranked Oak Hill Academy from Virginia, as well as New Jersey-based St. Benedict’s. In addition, the squad traveled to Miami for a national tournament, which it won, and faced AAAA powerhouse Chester in a non-league contest, a game it dropped 75-72.
"I think of how difficult our schedule was this year, and how the guys stayed focused and calm in tough situations," Brinkley said. "I wanted to test these guys early. I wasn’t worried about the losses. I wanted them to grow up quickly."
Other than twins Marcus and Markieff, who are both heading to the University of Memphis, and Radford, the Huskies’ roster consisted of underclassmen. What makes this year’s run extraordinary is Prep Charter won both Public League and state championships in the same year. In 2006, the squad was eliminated by Communications Tech in the league quarterfinals, but recovered to win the state crown.
"That’s what is most impressive, is that we were able to win both in one year," Brinkley said. "Sometimes, when you win a Public League championship, if you don’t do it in the state tournament, that’s OK."
This is only the third season city teams have been eligible to compete in states. The Huskies qualified for the games in ’05, but were eliminated in the second round.
With eight players coming back, including starters Morgan and Grant, who are both sophomore guards, the talent is in place for a potential three-peat.
"They’re confident they can compete next year," Brinkley said of his players. "We’ll have enough firepower back to compete again."
