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Making the playoffs is nothing new for South Philadelphia High coach George Anderson.
But when recent trips to the Public League and state playoffs ended in defeat, it sent the coaching staff back to the drawing board.
Sunday, the hard work and dedication finally paid off as his boys from Broad and Snyder defeated the Bartram Braves 69-65 for the Public League District 12 AAAA championship.
"It’s a wonderful feeling," Anderson said of the title.
With the victory, Southern extended their season by at least three more games. The first was last night’s league semifinal against AAA champ Franklin Learning Center, which started after press time. The winner is playing in tomorrow night’s championship match versus the other semifinal winner. Southern has also clinched a spot in next week’s District 12 AAAA city championship game against a yet to be determined Catholic League foe. The long awaited Public/Catholic showdown is the one Anderson has been looking forward to for decades.
"I’ve been a Public League high school basketball fan since 1969 and I always relished the Public League/Catholic League championship game," Anderson said.
The series was halted following the 1979-80 season, taking away the opportunity for many city coaches to see how they would fare when Philadelphia bragging rights were on the line. With the two leagues now under the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association District 12 umbrella Anderson finally has his chance at history.
"It’s a Philadelphia tradition," Anderson said of the city title game. "I am excited and I am looking forward to it. I expect my boys to enjoy it and represent the Public League as best they can."
Both schools will also be representing Philadelphia in next month’s PIAA Class AAAA tournament, with first-round games taking place March 7. Last season, the South Philly squad advanced to the state quarterfinals.
As far as the Bartram win, the coach noted he was especially pleased with how his players kept their composure. When junior Deshon Minnis, who tallied 16 points, picked up his fourth foul in the third quarter, classmate Shaquille Gaskins answered the call by scoring 10 of his 13 points in the final eight minutes. Junior Haywood Henderson orchestrated the Southern offense by dishing out six assists.
"I was just so proud of our guys," Anderson said.
The Prep Charter girls’ basketball team is also in a celebratory mood this week following Friday’s 89-57 victory over Roxborough for the Public League’s Class AAA crown. It marks the first championship of any kind for the Lady Huskies, who will also be making a fifth straight trip to states next month.
"It’s nice," coach Paul Reiser said of the title. "The girls were excited that we took another step forward. Our ultimate goal is to win the Public League championship."
First, the squad needed to knock off Freire Charter in Wednesday’s semifinal, which started after press time. The winner faces Central for the crown tomorrow night at Temple’s Liacouras Center. The 18-6 Lady Huskies have also clinched a spot in next week’s District 12 AAA championship contest against Archbishop Carroll, with the winner also earning the No. 1 seed for the upcoming state tournament. Like the boys, the Public/Catholic concept is something new for the current players.
"I think it’s great for girls’ basketball and basketball in general to get the city championship back," Reiser said. "I’ve been telling the girls that they’re being reintroduced to something that was terminated before they were born."
As far as the actual game with Carroll, the coach is anticipating a competitive contest.
"I think we match up well with Carroll," Reiser said. "They are very guard oriented and so are we. We just have to go out, play hard and execute."
The school’s boys’ basketball squad wasn’t as fortunate, dropping Sunday’s Class AA title game to Imhotep Charter, 72-49. Despite the loss, the Huskies will be one of four District 12 school’s participating in next month’s Class AAA tournament.
The Neumann-Goretti boys’ basketball team, with an overall record of 21-2, was one of four schools involved in last night’s Catholic League semifinals at the Palestra, which started after press time. The victors have advanced to Monday night’s league championship game on the Penn campus with an 8:15 p.m. tip. The Saints won last weekend’s quarterfinal over Archbishop Wood, 64-46.
The Saints girls’ basketball team also squared off against Wood in a Feb. 13 playoff tilt, but saw their postseason run end in the form of a 59-35 defeat. SPR
