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The time is now for the Prep Charter boys’ basketball team. So far, the Huskies have lived up to the hype with a 20-3 record, including a 16-0 mark in Public League competition. This includes non-league wins over Chester and defending Maryland state champ Walbrook.
Monday, the team defeated Franklin Learning Center, 62-59. Four Huskies hit double figures in scoring, with Rodney Green’s 18 points leading the way.
Prep Charter, which was one of three city teams to advance to the second round of last year’s Pennsylvania Interscholastic Association tournament, has also made its mark in state polls. The Harrisburg Patriot-News put the Huskies at No. 1 in the AA rankings. Coach Dan Brinkley isn’t focusing on the press. The Public League and state titles are the goals.
"I am just telling the kids let’s play the first quarter of our first playoff game," he said.
The Huskies will open the A playoffs Monday afternoon against Freire Charter at home. If Prep Charter wins Feb. 13, it will play for the Public League A title. The winner will qualify for next month’s state tournament.
After losing to York Catholic in last year’s tournament, Brinkley is ready to show the rest of the state his team is championship material.
"We are not going to change what we’ve been successful at all year," he said. "We play an up-tempo style and when we get to states we’re going to play more up-tempo because teams have trouble adjusting to our style."
Prep Charter also is represented in the Public League girls’ basketball playoffs as the Lady Huskies meet Freire Charter in opening-round action of the AA bracket. Freire won the regular season meeting and the rematch takes place Wednesday afternoon at Freire, 2027 Chestnut St. The winner qualifies for the PIAA AA state tournament.
THE SOUTHERN RAMS are happy to be back in the playoff mix after missing the cut by one game last season. They’re 12-2 in Public League play and will close the regular season today with a home game against University City. The lone defeat came against first-place Simon Gratz.
"This year, the team is more focused and taking nothing for granted," coach George Anderson said.
Monday, Southern toppled West Philadelphia, 53-40. Bryheem Charity tallied 22 points and 12 rebounds, while Ramone Moore added 18 points.
Southern will open the playoffs Tuesday afternoon against a yet-to-be determined opponent. With a win, the Broad Street and Snyder Avenue-based squad earns one of the Public League’s four state tournament nods in the AAAA bracket. Despite enjoying regular season success, Anderson is hesitant about making any predictions.
"You don’t want to set yourself up because it will be a let down," he said. "You take it one game at a time. I am just coaching them the best I can and working them as hard as I can and we’ll see how it plays out."
THE BOK WILDCATS were one of the great stories of the 2005 playoff season. They trumped favorite Strawberry Mansion on a three-point buzzer beater to win the Public League’s AAA title and qualify for states. This time around, they’re battling it out with Swenson and Parkway for the bracket’s final two spots. Monday, Bok lost, 70-67, to Swenson, dropping to 4-9. Swenson is also 4-9 with Parkway at 3-10. All three close out the regular season today, with Bok hosting Overbrook.
If Bok makes the cut, the Wildcats will open the playoffs Monday afternoon at either Strawberry Mansion or Communications Tech.
PUBLIC LEAGUE GIRLS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Feb. 15 AA Playoffs
Bodine (4) at Engineering & Science (1), 3 p.m.;
Prep Charter (3) at Freire Charter (2), 3 p.m.
Feb. 17 AA Playoffs
AA championship game
(Both teams qualify for states)
Feb. 25
Public League semifinals
March 3
Public League championship game at La Salle University
PUBLIC LEAGUE BOYS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Feb. 13
Opening round for A and AAA teams (Prep Charter and Bok)
Feb. 14
A and AAA championship games
Opening round for AA and AAAA teams (Southern)
Feb. 16
Public League quarterfinals
Feb. 25
Public League semifinals (games played at Community College of Philadelphia and St. Joe’s)
March 4
Public League championship game at La Salle University
