Career Tribute . . . Imhotep Charter Basketball Coach Andre Noble

Philadelphia High School Basketball A Look at

the First 18 Years of Andre Noble's Coaching Career at Imhotep Charter High (2005-22)

He earned career win No.

400 (60-38 over Montoursville) in the second round of the Class 4A state playoffs in 2019-20. The tournament then was halted by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. His record in 2020-21 was 14-0. The pandemic also forced the Panthers' season to be cut short.

This page includes stories, special lists, record breakdown,

recaps of wins in championship games and (at the bottom) the

names of all varsity players during Coach Noble's 18 seasons. . . . To provide additions/corrections: . Thanks!

In 2009, Imhotep and coach Andre Noble (C) accomplished a title trifecta -- overall Public League, 2A City Title and States

Coach

Noble's All-Stars

and 1,000-Point Scorers ALL- PUBLIC HONOREES 2005-20 (no team chosen in '21 due to effects of COVID-19) FIRST TEAM 2006 Curtis Jackson 2006 Tamir Johnson 2007 Kashief Edwards 2007 Tamir Johnson 2007 Jermaine Washington 2008 Rashad Savage 2009 Sam Prescott 2009 Will Adams 2009 Parrish Grant 2010 David Appolon 2010 Ameen Tanksley 2011 Ameen Tanksley 2011 Erik Copes 2011 David Appolon 2013 Brandon Austin 2014 Sean Lloyd 2015 Daron Russell 2016 Jaekwon Carlyle 2016 Daron Russell 2017 Daron Russell 2017 David Beatty 2017 Koby Thomas 2018 Donta Scott 2018 Chereef Knox 2019 Donta Scott 2019 Dahmir Bishop 2019 Chereef Knox 2020 Elijah Taylor 2022 Justin Edwards (MVP) 2022 Rahmir Barno 2022 Ahmad Nowell 2022 Mo Abdullah SECOND TEAM 2005 Keith Mitchell 2006 Hanif Nixon 2007 Will Adams 2008 Will Adams 2008 Miguel Bocachica 2012 Brandon Austin 2012 Khyree Wooten 2013 Basil Thompson 2015 DeAnte Robinson 2015 Khalief Tinley 2015 Camachet Jordan 2016 JaQuan Arrington 2016 Koby Thomas 2017 Bernard Lightsey 2017 Donta Scott 2018 Bernard Lightsey 2019 Jamil Riggins 2020 Kamrohn Roundtree THIRD TEAM 2008 Lamar Trice 2010 Earl Brown 2011 Brandon Austin 2014 Devin Liggeons 2018 Dahmir Bishop 2018 Jamil Riggins 2019 Fatyn Wesley 2019 Elijah Taylor 2020 Naji Reed 2020 Sam Wylie DAILY NEW ALL-CITY FIRST TEAM 2009 Sam Prescott 2011 Ameen Tanksley 2013 Brandon Austin 2016 Daron Russell 2017 Daron Russell 2018 Donta Scott SECOND TEAM 2008 Rashad Savage 2009 Parrish Grant 2011 Erik Copes 2012 Brandon Austin 2012 Khyree Wooten 2014 Sean Lloyd 2015 Daron Russell 2016 Daekwon Carlyle 2017 Dave Beatty 2017 Donta Scott THIRD TEAM 2007 Kashief Edwards 2010 Ameen Tanksley 2018 Chereef Knox 1,000-POINT SCORERS (All or Part of Career) 1,813 -- Daron Russell 1,141 -- Brandon Austin 1,082 -- Will Adams | FIRST TEAM | 2006 | Curtis Jackson | 2006 | Tamir Johnson | 2007 | Kashief Edwards | 2007 | Tamir Johnson | 2007 | Jermaine Washington | 2008 | Rashad Savage | 2009 | Sam Prescott | 2009 | Will Adams | 2009 | Parrish Grant | 2010 | David Appolon | 2010 | Ameen Tanksley | 2011 | Ameen Tanksley | 2011 | Erik Copes | 2011 | David Appolon | 2013 | Brandon Austin | 2014 | Sean Lloyd | 2015 | Daron Russell | 2016 | Jaekwon Carlyle | 2016 | Daron Russell | 2017 | Daron Russell | 2017 | David Beatty | 2017 | Koby Thomas | 2018 | Donta Scott | 2018 | Chereef Knox | 2019 | Donta Scott | 2019 | Dahmir Bishop | 2019 | Chereef Knox | 2020 | Elijah Taylor | 2022 Justin Edwards (MVP) | 2022 Rahmir Barno | 2022 Ahmad Nowell | 2022 Mo Abdullah | SECOND TEAM | 2005 | Keith Mitchell | 2006 | Hanif Nixon | 2007 | Will Adams | 2008 | Will Adams | 2008 | Miguel Bocachica | 2012 | Brandon Austin | 2012 | Khyree Wooten | 2013 | Basil Thompson | 2015 | DeAnte Robinson | 2015 | Khalief Tinley | 2015 | Camachet Jordan | 2016 | JaQuan Arrington | 2016 | Koby Thomas | 2017 | Bernard Lightsey | 2017 | Donta Scott | 2018 | Bernard Lightsey | 2019 | Jamil Riggins | 2020 | Kamrohn Roundtree | THIRD TEAM | 2008 | Lamar Trice | 2010 | Earl Brown | 2011 | Brandon Austin | 2014 | Devin Liggeons | 2018 | Dahmir Bishop | 2018 | Jamil Riggins | 2019 | Fatyn Wesley | 2019 | Elijah Taylor | 2020 | Naji Reed | 2020 | Sam Wylie | FIRST TEAM | 2009 | Sam Prescott | 2011 | Ameen Tanksley | 2013 | Brandon Austin | 2016 | Daron Russell | 2017 | Daron Russell | 2018 | Donta Scott | SECOND TEAM | 2008 | Rashad Savage | 2009 | Parrish Grant | 2011 | Erik Copes | 2012 | Brandon Austin | 2012 | Khyree Wooten | 2014 | Sean Lloyd | 2015 | Daron Russell | 2016 | Daekwon Carlyle | 2017 | Dave Beatty | 2017 | Donta Scott | THIRD TEAM | 2007 | Kashief Edwards | 2010 | Ameen Tanksley | 2018 | Chereef Knox | | 1,000-POINT SCORERS | (All or Part of Career) | 1,813 -- Daron Russell | 1,141 -- Brandon Austin | 1,082 -- Will Adams | Andre Noble Tribute Page Andre Noble has coached basketball at Imhotep Charter for 18 seasons,

winning 442 games and 24 championships. That breakdown: 10

Public, six City, eight State. His Panthers won their first crown in the 2009

Pub final, topping Franklin Learning Center, 49-43. Here is that story . . . By Ted

Silary IT'S ONE THING to show talent. It's another to exude class. After doing the first last night for 32 minutes, Sam Prescott promised to

do the latter for the next 4 years. Prescott, star wing guard at Imhotep Charter, has signed with Marist.

Denzel Yard, franchise point guard for Franklin Learning Center, is bound

for Siena. Both schools are members of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

They'll do battle at least eight times, not counting any tournament

meetings. "I'm proud of what I did tonight," Prescott said. "But I'm never going to

tease him about it." It's called respect. And it's definitely warranted. Prescott spoke those words last night on the middle of the floor at

Temple's Liacouras Center, holding an MVP trophy and trying to raise his

voice above the roars of excited supporters. Title time! "I knew this was going to happen," he said several times. "I knew it from

the beginning of the season." Good thing he did. Because as the Public League final wound down, no one

else did. Imhotep, which earlier appeared a sure bet to coast home, never lost its

lead, but the heart rates of players, coaches and fans definitely soared and

at least a hint of a lump appeared in some guys' throats. The difference-maker? Sam Prescott. The energetic kid who's known as

"Speed Racer." Prescott totaled 24 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, logged two steals and

rejected three shots as Imhotep, a 5-year Pub member, triumphed by a 49-43

score, thus claiming its first championship. He shoehorned 11 of those points into the fourth quarter, thanks mostly

to a 9-for-14 performance at the foul line. As for Yard . . . All the lefty did was score 24 points of his own, while

adding two assists and three steals. Ten of his markers were packed into the

final stanza, and his heroics included a pair of threeballs. For the game,

he was the only Bobcat with more than one field goal. "Denzel's a good friend of mine," Prescott said. "What a player. What he

does for that team . . . It's amazing." Prescott, with occasional help from sub Kenny Battle, covered Yard for

much of the game. He tried his best to contain him and, through three

quarters, Yard owned only 14 points in largely unspectacular fashion.

Likewise, his team was sputtering along. The bright side? After some impressive early moments, so was Imhotep.

People around the city and suburbs were changing channels from the Comcast

Network's coverage by the second. Well, they should have stuck around. "We made things so difficult for ourselves," Imhotep coach Andre Noble

said. "We didn't get much production from guys who usually give us a lot." Said Prescott: "Hey, basketball's a game of runs. Back and forth. That's

how it goes. We wanted to get through without them coming back on us, but .

. . " Little by little, FLC eased back into contention. The comeback reached

oh-my-goodness status with 42.4 showing, when Yard mad-bombed a right-corner

three to make it 43-42. Two things happened. "When I saw that one-point difference," Prescott said, "I knew it was

time to put the team on my shoulders. I mean, we have a great team and we

all contributed, like always, but I'm a senior leader and the guys look up

to me, so . . . " Meanwhile, senior point guard Parrish Grant (10 points, five assists, two

steals) was making a proclamation of his own. Not to himself. To Noble. "I asked to cover Denzel,"

Grant said. "I just had to make things difficult for him. That's my buddy.

We were

talking almost up until the time the game began. But for us to win, I knew

we couldn't let him hurt us anymore." Down the stretch, Prescott added six more points with free throws. "Everybody was nervous," he said. "I tried to stay calm and at least I

made most of them." Grant backed up his request by forcing Yard into the game's most crucial

turnover. He ran at Yard, and the result

was a leaping pass almost the entire width of the court. Jamal Jones

intercepted and the Bobcats, the very definition of heart and soul thanks to Yard, were toast. With the win, Grant likely earned an all-alone spot in Pub annals. He's

believed to be the only guy to start for

championship teams at two schools. He first earned a title at Prep Charter

in 2007. Last year, Velton Jones had

become the first player to start for title teams in different leagues -

North Catholic in '08 after Simon Gratz in '06. continued right below . . . | Coach Andre Noble SEASON BY SEASON League / Overall 2005:

13-3 / 16-9 2006: 16-1 / 22-7 2007: 9-1 / 22-8 2008: 10-0 / 27-4 2009: 14-0 / 32-1 2010: 14-2 / 25-6 2011: 11-0 / 31-3 2012: 10-1 / 22-8 2013: 9-2 / 28-5 2014: 8-2 / 20-7 2015: 6-4 / 22-10 2016: 10-0 / 24-6 2017: 10-0 / 31-2 2018: 10-0 31-2 2019: 10-0, 26-6 #2020: 9-1, 21-8 2021: 3-0, 14-0 2022: 8-1, 28-4 #season halted by COVID-19 pandemic season curtailed/halted by COVID-19 pandemic TOTAL RECORD 18 Seasons, 2005-22 League - 180-18 Overall -

442-96 PL PLAYOFF BREAKDOWN Appearances

Ended in . . . Quarterfinals (4) 2007, 2008, 2014,

2016 Semifinals (2) 2020 Finals (10) 2 009, 2010, 2011, 2013,

2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022 TOP 10 PL

SCORERS Justin Edwards 2022 18.3 Daron Russell 2017 17.1 Sam Prescott 2009 16.8 Brandon Austin 2013 16.7 Rashad Savage 2008 16.0 Khyree Wooten 2012 15.6 Hanif Nixon 2006 15.5 Justin Edwards 2021 15.4 Elijah Taylor 2020 15.0 Will Adams 2008 14.6 STARTERS FOR PL CHAMPS 2009 Sam Prescott Will Adams Parrish Grant Ivory Wells Erik Copes 2010 Ameen Tanksley David Appolon Erik Copes Tyhiem Perrin Terrell Johnson 2011 Ameen Tanksley David Appolon Erik Copes Terrell Johnson Brandon Austin 2013 Brandon Austin Deryl Bagwell Basil Thompson Jakwan Jones Dymir Logan 2015 Daron Russell Devin Liggeons DeAnte Robinson Jaekwon Carlyle Khalief Tinley 2017 Daron Russell Dave Beatty Donta Scott Bernard Lightsey Chereef Knox 2018 Donta Scott Chereef Knox Bernard Lightsey Dahmir Bishop Elijah Taylor 2019 Donta Scott Chereef Knox Dahmir Bishop Jamil Riggins Fatyn Wesley 2021 Rahmir Barno Naji Reid Mo Abdullah Justin Edwards Shakur Smith 2022 Justin Edwards Rahmir Barno Ahmad Nowell Mo Abdullah Chad Anglin | TOP 10 PL

FIRST TEAM

2006 | Curtis Jackson

2006 | Tamir Johnson

2007 | Kashief Edwards

2007 | Tamir Johnson

2007 | Jermaine Washington

2008 | Rashad Savage

2009 | Sam Prescott

2009 | Will Adams

2009 | Parrish Grant

2010 | David Appolon

2010 | Ameen Tanksley

2011 | Ameen Tanksley

2011 | Erik Copes

2011 | David Appolon

2013 | Brandon Austin

2014 | Sean Lloyd

2015 | Daron Russell

2016 | Jaekwon Carlyle

2016 | Daron Russell

2017 | Daron Russell

2017 | David Beatty

2017 | Koby Thomas

2018 | Donta Scott

2018 | Chereef Knox

2019 | Donta Scott

2019 | Dahmir Bishop

2019 | Chereef Knox

2020 | Elijah Taylor

2022 Justin Edwards (MVP)

2022 Rahmir Barno

2022 Ahmad Nowell

2022 Mo Abdullah

SECOND TEAM

2005 | Keith Mitchell

2006 | Hanif Nixon

2007 | Will Adams

2008 | Will Adams

2008 | Miguel Bocachica

2012 | Brandon Austin

2012 | Khyree Wooten

2013 | Basil Thompson

2015 | DeAnte Robinson

2015 | Khalief Tinley

2015 | Camachet Jordan

2016 | JaQuan Arrington

2016 | Koby Thomas

2017 | Bernard Lightsey

2017 | Donta Scott

2018 | Bernard Lightsey

2019 | Jamil Riggins

2020 | Kamrohn Roundtree

THIRD TEAM

2008 | Lamar Trice

2010 | Earl Brown

2011 | Brandon Austin

2014 | Devin Liggeons

2018 | Dahmir Bishop

2018 | Jamil Riggins

2019 | Fatyn Wesley

2019 | Elijah Taylor

2020 | Naji Reed

2020 | Sam Wylie

FIRST TEAM

2009 | Sam Prescott

2011 | Ameen Tanksley

2013 | Brandon Austin

2016 | Daron Russell

2017 | Daron Russell

2018 | Donta Scott

SECOND TEAM

2008 | Rashad Savage

2009 | Parrish Grant

2011 | Erik Copes

2012 | Brandon Austin

2012 | Khyree Wooten

2014 | Sean Lloyd

2015 | Daron Russell

2016 | Daekwon Carlyle

2017 | Dave Beatty

2017 | Donta Scott

THIRD TEAM

2007 | Kashief Edwards

2010 | Ameen Tanksley

2018 | Chereef Knox

1,000-POINT SCORERS

(All or Part of Career)

1,813 -- Daron Russell

1,141 -- Brandon Austin

1,082 -- Will Adams

TOP 10 PL

SCORERS

Justin Edwards | 2022 | 18.3

Daron Russell | 2017 | 17.1

Sam Prescott | 2009 | 16.8

Brandon Austin | 2013 | 16.7

Rashad Savage | 2008 | 16.0

Khyree Wooten | 2012 | 15.6

Hanif Nixon | 2006 | 15.5

Justin Edwards | 2021 | 15.4

Elijah Taylor | 2020 | 15.0

Will Adams | 2008 | 14.6

STARTERS FOR PL CHAMPS

2009

Sam Prescott

Will Adams

Parrish Grant

Ivory Wells

Erik Copes

2010

Ameen Tanksley

David Appolon

Erik Copes

Tyhiem Perrin

Terrell Johnson

2011

Ameen Tanksley

David Appolon

Erik Copes

Terrell Johnson

Brandon Austin

2013

Brandon Austin

Deryl Bagwell

Basil Thompson

Jakwan Jones

Dymir Logan

2015

Daron Russell

Devin Liggeons

DeAnte Robinson

Jaekwon Carlyle

Khalief Tinley

2017

Daron Russell

Dave Beatty

Donta Scott

Bernard Lightsey

Chereef Knox

2018

Donta Scott

Chereef Knox

Bernard Lightsey

Dahmir Bishop

Elijah Taylor

2019

Donta Scott

Chereef Knox

Dahmir Bishop

Jamil Riggins

Fatyn Wesley

2021

Rahmir Barno

Naji Reid

Mo Abdullah

Justin Edwards

Shakur Smith

2022

Justin Edwards

Rahmir Barno

Ahmad Nowell

Mo Abdullah

Chad Anglin

"I was thinking about how I could be making history," Grant said. "Maybe

I put some extra pressure on myself. I had to keep my head straight." Now, like Prescott, he'll maintain his class when speaking with Yard. "He's a great player," Grant said. "He always shows that." -- This story

was written after Imhotep overcame Rysheed Jordan's 45-point outburst to win the 2013 Public League championship . . .

By Ted Silary "CELEBRATION" came pumping through the sound system at Temple's Liacouras

Center and Abraham Massaley, like most of Imhotep Charter's delirious players, stood, listened,

beamed, grooved and even sang at a spot near midcourt. Then, after some prodding by teammates, he decided to step forward and

bust a move. How fitting . . . A few minutes earlier, the 5-11, 160-pound combo guard had uncorked a

basketball version, thus helping the Panthers claim their fourth Public League championship in five seasons. Imhotep 67, Roberts Vaux 66. That was the final score, before a large, fully juiced crowd (especially

down the stretch), and those numbers weren't frozen on the scoreboard until the very last instant, when Rysheed

Jordan, Vaux' superstar guard, could not connect on a step-back, right-wing jumper off an inbound pass (by Amir

Butler, from the south side of the east baseline) that was sent his way with 1.1 seconds remaining. The

defender, leaping right up there with him to try to contest the shot, was Basil Thompson. Jordan had already done everything possible, pouring in 45 points to

break the Pub final single-game record established in 1954 by some guy named Wilt Chamberlain (40 for Overbrook vs.

Northeast). As Jordan agonized over the miss, the bench Panthers and the team's star,

Brandon Austin, who'd fouled out with 49.5 showing, exploded onto the court with the purpose, mostly, of

engulfing Massaley. Ah, it's fun to be the hero . . . As long as the life isn't squeezed out

of you . . . And/or your ribs don't get broken. Massaley, the sixth man, finished with seven points and three assists.

Point No. 5, on the front end of a double-bonus, came at 33.5 and provided a 65-64 lead. Jordan then was fouled

on a flying attempt at a layup and hit both free throws at 27.2, thus tipping the scale back in Vaux'

favor. Thompson missed a try-to-curl-it-in layup, the Cougars' Karon Snead

briefly snagged the rebound, then Jakwan Jones wrested away the ball, enabling Imhotep to signal for time at 0:19. In the huddle, coach Andre Noble looked around and decided to call upon

Massaley. Very interesting. At times this season, the coach might have called for

Abe's head. As both guys acknowledged, their relationship has often been strained. "I'm really a big-on-effort guy," Noble said. "Abe needs to learn to show

it all the time, in practice as well as games. My riding has been good for him, I feel." Said Massaley: "We've had some rocky times. I do know why he takes that

approach." Ultimately, Noble said he tabbed Massaley because "with Brandon out, he's

my next best guard with the ball in his hands. " The play was No. 1, which almost always features a move off a screen. "We'd used it a few times in the game," Massaley said. "I was thinking

maybe they knew the play, and that they'd jump me with two guys off the screen. I saw I could go without

waiting for it, so I did." Massaley steamed down the left side and canned the layup at 0:12. What he

did next was just as enormous. As Jordan full-barreled downcourt, Massaley tipped away the ball and, many

flails by many guys later, it was squirting over the baseline at 1.1, meaning Vaux would be rushed on its last

gasp. The fact that Jordan's most vivid memory will be a missed attempt at a

game-winner shows how unfair life can be. He spent 32 minutes as pretty much a one-man gang. Jordan racked up his 45 points by shooting 10-for-21 from the floor

(4-for-9 on treys) and 21-for-23 at the line. He drained his first 17 free throws and packed 16 points into the fourth

quarter, won by Vaux, 23-13. He also finished the afternoon with six apiece of rebounds and steals. The other

Cougars were 9-for-28 from the floor. As is widely known by now, Temple is a member of Jordan's Final Three,

along with St. John's and UCLA. Can't you just hear coach Fran Dunphy now? " Sheed, you gotta come here!

Look how you lit up our building! " Jordan also made points with Noble. In the teams' regular-season meeting, won by Vaux, 73-51, at Imhotep on

Jan. 22, Jordan handed the ball to a Panther as the clock wound down and then slapped the halfcourt logo. Noble

was livid at what he later called "a classless act" and milked it for motivation leading up to the final. "I was definitely critical of Rysheed for what he did at our school,"

Noble said. "Today, he was a real class act. He came over and apologized to me. Impressive. It's all behind us." Austin, selected as the game MVP, notched 23 points, seven rebounds, six

assists, three steals and two blocks before having to sit down. "I was nervous, but I still felt good," said the Providence signee. "I

had trust in my team. We had each others' backs coming down the stretch. This is a blessing from God." Imhotep's early motor-starter was guard Deryl Bagwell, who took his

team's first five shots and hit two for a 5-0 lead. In all, he contributed 15 points and the last of his four treys

made it 62-58 at 2:42. This will sound dumb, but Bagwell also did a respectable job against Jordan in a box-and-one. "Deryl had been so up and down lately, we thought about taking him out of

the starting lineup," Noble said. "But that would have damaged his confidence even more. We decided to stick with

him and see what would happen. He really produced." Outside Vaux' locker room, coach Jamie Ross looked shell-shocked. "We made three mistakes down the stretch that really killed us," he said.

"We've been in lots of these types of games. In most of them, we've been a little smarter. We expected to be here.

That's why we didn't play a cupcake schedule. Without the three lapses . . . "I thought Rysheed got fouled twice at the end. Once on the way downcourt,

and then on his last shot . . . Ah, but you've gotta play through that. Gotta finish things off." In his dance during "Celebration," meanwhile, Abraham Massaley flexed his

left arm, looked at his bicep, then twisted his wrist so his fist pointed forward. "That's my John Wall," he said, smiling, referring to a routine made

famous by the Washington Wizards' star. Yeah, well, Sunday it was all Abe Massaley's. Title tidbits Imhotep is the first Pub squad to win football (Class AA) and

basketball (overall) titles in the same school year since Frankford (both overall) in 1987-88. The hoops Pioneers topped West

Philly, 71-64, in four OTs, and one of their stars was Jamie Ross (13 points, five assists, four steals before

fouling out) . . . Basil Thompson posted nine apiece of points and rebounds . . . Amir Butler claimed 10 boards . . .

Jordan's 45 points rank No. 6 in any Pub playoff. Lincoln's Larry Cannon is tops with 49 in a 1965 quarterfinal

vs. Roxborough.

This story was

written after Imhotep beat King for the 2017 Public League championship . . .

By Aaron Carter It was as if Imhotep tried to win the Public League championship with

every single jump shot. As a result, the Panthers appeared to press until the title was on the line in overtime. Despite all the forced and difficult shots attempted, the game came down

to the relative calm of the free-throw line. Daron Russell, the Panthers' senior leader and point guard, found poise

for the freebies, hitting 7 of 8 in the final three minutes of Imhotep's 53-49 victory over Martin Luther King. The championship calm Russell displayed helped avenge Imhotep's playoff

loss last year to eventual champion Del-Val. "This is everything I've been dreaming of since we lost to Del-Val, so I

wasn't going to let this slip,' said Russell, who finished with 24 points and the game's MVP trophy. "I felt like we

needed this. " Throughout the game at Hagan Arena, Imhotep, the No. 7-ranked team in the

nation according to USA Today, desperately needed a shot to fall. The Panthers (25-2) finished just 17 of 70 overall (24 percent) and 2 of

24 from behind the three-point line (8 percent). Imhotep's stingy defense, however, forced 26 turnovers by King. The Panthers, as they have done all season, also dominated the offensive

glass, finishing with 17 offensive rebounds. "We have a tendency to get tight sometimes," said coach Andre Noble, who

now has six Pub titles. "We talked about it because they have such high expectations, and I think everyone else

has such high expectations for them . . . But I'm just so proud of them. . . . They showed a lot of poise. . . " King (20-8) was led by sophomore guard Jihad Watson, who scored 13 points

off the bench. His presence helped King seize early momentum and keep the game at a slow and favorable

pace. King entered the fourth quarter with a 38-32 lead after a 21-21 tie at

intermission. In the interior, Will McNair, despite early foul trouble, finished with

six points and four blocked shots, including a game-saving block with less than two seconds left in regulation. The Panthers gained possessed with about 1 minute, 33 seconds left in

regulation and held on for the final shot. Near the end of their filibuster, Bernard Lightsey missed a three-pointer

from the right wing that was rebounded by Donta Scott underneath. Scott's put-back attempt was rejected by McNair. In overtime, King trailed by two after Elijah Kial-El made an easy basket

with little more than a minute left. A Dave Beatty miss was followed by a defensive rebound from McNair. On King's ensuing possession, Kiah-El fed McNair in close, but the

6-foot-9 forward's dunk attempt missed off the rim. Imhotep retained possession, which eventually led to free throws by

Russell. Fellow senior Koby Thomas finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds (seven

offensive). Scott added five points and eight rebounds (six offensive). Beatty, who shot just 4 of 17 from the field and 0 for 2 from three,

finished with eight points, including the momentum-grabbing first points of overtime. "I struggled in this game," Russell said. "So the guys came up to me

like, 'Don't stop. Don't stop. We need you.' Dave kind of struggled and I was in his ear telling him, 'Don't stop. Don't

stop.'' Russell, who also led the Panthers to the Pub title in 2015, also won the

game's MVP as a sophomore. "For us to lose last year against Del-Val," he said, "that hurt the whole

offseason. It was a struggle during workouts because we knew the Public League championship wasn't home with

us." "This feels amazing. I can't even describe it. We're not done, but this

is amazing."

Recaps of victories in

Public League championship games . . . 2009 At Temple's Liacouras Center Imhotep 49, Franklin LC 43 This first-ever Pub final featuring NO neighborhood schools went to

the charter in its fifth year of membership. A largely forgettable

game became a sweetheart in the fourth quarter and there was major

excitement with 42.3 remaining after Denzel Yard hit a trey to draw

FLC within 43-42. Thereafter, game MVP Sam Prescott (24 points, just

like Yard) went 6-for-9 at the line to assure the title. Overall, he

shot 7-for-13 and 10-for-15 while adding 13 rebounds and three

apiece of steals and blocks. Yard's line included four boards, two

assists and three steals. Yard’s percentage of FLC’s points (55.8)

was the highest in a Pub final since FLC’s Rasiheed “Noot” Arnold

managed 60.7 (34 of 56) in ’94 vs. Gratz. Overall, Yard poured in

132 points in five playoffs for 44.3 percent of 298. In this game he

was the only Bobcat with more than one field goal and the other guys

combined to shoot 6-for-26. Imhotep's Parrish Grant Grant finished

with 10 points, five assists and two steals while likely becoming

the first player in Pub history to start for championship teams at

two schools (also Prep Charter in ’07). A year earlier, North

Catholic’s Velton Jones had become the first guy to start for title

teams in two leagues (also Gratz in ’06). 2010 At Temple's Liacouras Center Imhotep 58, Bartram 46 Completing a three-playoffs-in-four-days run, the

Panthers became the first Pub team to capture back-to-back

championships since Franklin in 1998-99. Ameen Tanksley won game MVP

honors with 14 points while Erik Copes controlled the inside with 13

rebounds, seven blocks. Five others scored from six to nine points

and 17 markers were provided by subs (Bakari White nine, Earl Brown

eight). Scoring-wise, only guard Tyrone Garland (32 points, six

treys) made an appearance for the Braves. The others combined to go

5-for-37 from the floor. 2011 At Temple's Liacouras Center Imhotep 57, Constitution 44 With Ameen Tanksley (15 points) again earning game MVP honors, the

Panthers became the first Pub squad to win three consecutive titles

since West Philadelphia collared five from 1974 to '78. Tanksley

scored six points in a 12-6 third quarter, enabling Imhotep to

create space after the first half ended 22-20. Tyhiem "Redz" Perrin

made it 41-28 on a layup and three-point play off passes from David

Appolon. During its three-year dominance, coach Andre Noble's squad

went 55-2 and outscored its opponents, 3,911 to 2,435 (average of

69-43). And in the last three rounds of these playoffs, it forced

opponents to shoot 46-for-146 (31.5 percent) and commit 56

turnovers. For Constitution, a special-admit school in only its

second year of PL membership, Daiquan Walker scored 14 of his 18

points in the first half. 2013 At Temple's Liacouras Center Imhotep 67, Vaux 66 Rysheed Jordan exploded for 45 points, the No. 1 effort

in city history in any version of a championship game (Pub/Cath/City

Title; Wilt Chamberlain dropped 40 in the '54 Pub final), but was

unable to hit a buzzer-beating, right-wing jumper after Abraham

Massaley canned a layup with 12 seconds remaining. The crown was

Imhotep’s fourth in five years and avenged a 22-point, home-court

setback incurred during the regular season. MVP Brandon Austin

fouled out at 49.5 with 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists,

three steals and two blocks. Deryl Bagwell (15) knocked down four

treys and Basil Thompson posted nine apiece of points/rebounds.

Jordan hit his first 17 free throws and finished 10-for-21 (4-for-9

on treys) and 21-for-23. He packed 16 points into the fourth

quarter, which began with Vaux facing an 11-point deficit. He also

finished with six apiece of rebounds/steals. The other Cougars were

9-for-28 from the floor. Imhotep was the first Pub squad to win football (Class

AA)/basketball (overall) titles in the same school year since

Frankford (both overall) in 1987-88. The hoops Pioneers topped West

Philly, 71-64, in four OTs, and one of their stars was Vaux coach

Jamie Ross. 2015 At Saint Joseph's University Imhotep 77, Constitution 75 The Panthers won their fifth

championship in seven years in noteworthy fashion, overcoming a

55-45 deficit and catching a gigantic break when Co nstitution's

last bucket -- layup by Chad Andrews-Fulton off a fastbreak feed

from Kimar Williams -- was correctly ruled to have been sent

hoopward a split-second after the final buzzer. Soph guard Daron

Russell won MVP honors by totaling 19 points and four assists; his

dish to DeAnte Robinson (spinning flip shot) put 'Tep ahead for

good, at 74-73, with 0:17 left. Khalief Tinley (12), Robinson (11,

eight rebounds), Devin Liggeons (10, three blocks) and Jaekwon

Carlyle (10) also scored in double figures. Williams drilled three

treys en route to 27 points while Andrews-Fulton (nine rebounds)

shot 7-for-7 and 7-for-9 for 21 points. Star forward Ahmad "J.R."

Gilbert added nine points and eight boards before fouling out with 3

1/2 minutes remaining. Imhotep became the third school in Pub

history to win boy/girl crowns in the same season, joining

University City in 1995 and Central in 2005. The Panthers were the

first to have also captured a Pub football crown (AAA) in

that school year. And by the end of the season, they were the

most-defeated champion at 22-10. The 152 combined points were the

third highest total in Pub finals history, trailing 167 by West

Philly-Overbrook in '76 and 155 by Franklin-Frankford in '81. 2017 At Saint Joseph's University Imhotep 53, King 49 (OT) Check out these odd stats for a winning team -- 17-for-70 from the

floor and 2-for-24 behind the arc. Ah, but in the last three minutes

of the extra session, Daron Russell raised his point total to 24 by

sniping 7-for-8 at the line. Oh, almost forgot. The Panthers forced

26 total turnovers. Koby Thomas contributed 12 points, 10 rebounds. 2018 At the Palestra Imhotep 66, King 37 Four guys scored in close-to-succession -- Bernard

Lightsey 12, Donta Scott 10, Jamil Riggins 9, Chereef Knox 8 -- and

the Cougars had trouble lighting up the scoreboard at all. They

tallied just 12 points in the middle two quarters. This was Tep's

seventh Pub championship and the first final to be played at the Big

House since 1998. 2019 At Temple's Liacouras Center Imhotep 63, Constitution 43 The Panthers racked up an outrageous combined advantage in the first and

third quarters, 34-8, while claiming their third consecutive crown

and eighth overall. Donta Scott shot 9-for-11 from the floor while

notching 22 points. He also secured 12 rebounds. Fatayn Wesley mixed

11 points with five steals while Jamil Riggins totaled eight points,

six steals and three charges taken. 2021 At Engineering and Science Imhotep 69, Lincoln 56 Justin Edwards posted quite the double-double with 17 points and even

more rebounds (18) to make Andre Noble the first coach in Public

League history to win nine chamionships. Imhotep dominated in the

first/fourth quarters with a 43-19 advantage. Soph Rahmir Barno

racked up 18 points. The City Titles were not played and 'Tep had to

shut down its season prior to the state playoffs due to the effects

of COVID-19. 2022 At Temple's Liacouras Center Imhotep 55, Lincoln 47 Coach Andre Noble upped his personal record for Pub crowns from nine

to 10, thanks to five over the last six years. Justin Edwards and

Ma'Kye Taylor scored 16 points apiece. Lincoln (Khrys Murray 14)

shot a horrible 8-for-47 through three quarters, but created a 42-42

tie with 2:58 remaining. Mo Abdullah's only points, on a trey,

helped to make it 47-42 and the Panthers rolled home from there.

Recaps of victories in

City Titles . . . 2009 Class 2A At Temple's Liacouras Center Imhotep 59, West Catholic 53 (OT) In the first contest since the series was canceled in

1980, four players did a majority of the scoring. MVP Sam Prescott

(26) and Will Adams (22) led Imhotep while Rob Hollomon (24) and

Aquil Younger (17) topped West. Prescott added 11 rebounds, six

steals and four blocks. Hollomon's outing included a 14-for-19

showing at the line. 2010 Class 2A At Northeast Imhotep 51, W. Catholic 42 In something of a snoozer -- Imhotep was still reeling

from an exhausting march to a second straight Pub crown; West hadn't

played in 2 1/2 weeks -- sixth man Bakari White hit two treys while

scoring eight of his 10 points in the fourth quarter and prevented

Aquil Younger (22 points, five threes, four assists) from causing

late damage. Junior Erik Copes, already committed to George

Washington, shot 6-for-6 (two dunks) for 12 points while adding

seven boards and four blocks. Tyhiem "Redz" Perrin had 10 points,

six rebounds. West's Kiwan Murray managed eight/six. 2011 Class 2A At SJ Prep Imhotep 68, West Catholic 40 Though the Panthers committed almost as many turnovers

(24) as West (29), it barely broke a sweat. Leaving behind an 11-7 score with a 13-0 run made things easy. Khyree Wooten (13),

David Appolon (11, three treys) and Ameen Tanksley (10) scored in double figures. Terrell Johnson (seven points) hit

all three of his shots while also totaling three apiece of rebounds, assists and steals. Julian Lee managed 11 points for the

Burrs. 2017 C lass 4A At Phila. University Imhotep 84, Conwell-Egan 54 T he Eagles created at

least a hint of concern for 'Tep when they faced just a two-point

deficit after one quarter. Alas, the score over

the next two sessions was 41-16. Daron Russell and David

Beatty halved 26 points for Imhotep while seven teammates

contributed six to 10. Thanks with help from four

three-pointers, Eric Esposito led C-E with 17 points. Darien Simmons (13) and Patrick Robinson (10) offered

support. No Eagle snagged more than five rebounds. 2018 Class 4A At Lincoln Imhotep 99, Conwell-Egan 48 Imhotep was the Pub's overall champ and nationally ranked. C-E

finished 2-11 in Catholic League play and needed to win a

tie-breaking playoff with Lansdale Catholic to earn this spot. Thus,

the result -- largest blowout (51 points) in City Title history,

eclipsing 41 by Wilt Chamberlain and Overbrook vs. West Catholic in

1955 -- was not a complete shock. The Panthers (Dahmir Bishop 17) opted not to try for 100 points,

dribbling out the final 30 seconds. They won the second half, 62-22.

Patrick Robinson (17, 7-for-8 at line) and Eric Esposito (13, three

treys, eight rebounds) led C-E. 2022 Class 5A At La Salle High Imhotep 66, Ryan 57 Rahmir Barno came within a whisker of evenly dividing his 29 points

-- 15 first half, 14 second -- and those over the first 16 minutes

were especially important because star Justin Edwards had to miss

some time due to foul trouble. Edwards managed 15 points while Ronny

Raphael added 10. Ryan soph Thomas Sorber totaled 21 points.

Recaps of victories in

State Finals . . . 2009 Class 2A At Penn State's Bryce Jordan Center Imhotep 75, Pittsburgh North Catholic 67 (2 OTs) Imhotep surrendered the game's first 12 points, then regrouped for

five points in the last 11 seconds of the first quarter thanks to

two steals by sub David Appolon (15 points). It wasn't easy after

that, but the Panthers kept battling to collect the Public League's

third Class AA title in four years. It was also No. 3 for point

guard Parrish Grant (10 points), a sub for Prep Charter in '06 and a

starter in '07. Sam Prescott was terrific with 21 points, 13

rebounds and five steals and he shot 8-for-8 at the line from the

fourth quarter on (while his teammates were going 7-for-17). Kenny

Battle (12) and Will Adams (11) also scored in double figures and

Erik Copes, a 6-8 soph, added seven blocks to 11 rebounds. Four of

PNC's starters were related (son/nephews) of coach Dave Long. 2011 Class 2A At Penn State's Bryce Jordan Center Imhotep 67, Greensburg Central Catholic 34 The Panthers (31-3) frolicked while capturing

their second state title in three years and completing a three-win

weekend for District 12. Only twice before (D-3 both times) had a

district from the eastern part of the state annexed three

championships and the 33-point victory margin represented a record.

In just 15 minutes, Khyree Wooten, a member of Strawberry Mansion's

unsuccessful state finalists in 2010, shot 6-for-8 (two dunks) for

12 points. Brandon Austin and sub Earl Brown halved 20 points while

Erik Copes (13) and David Appolon (10, also five assists and three

steals) led in rebounds. 2012 Class 2A At Penn State's Bryce Jordan Center Imhotep 56, Beaver Falls 54 (OT) Khyree Wooten scored 13 of his 15 points

beyond intermission and Brandon Austin matched 13 points with as

many boards as the Panthers claimed their third state title in four

years (missed in 2010). Constitution (A) and Neumann-Goretti (AAA)

had triumphed on Friday night. This win, accomplished on Saturday

afternoon, enabled District 12 to become the first in Pennsylvania

history to win three state titles in back-to-back seasons. Shakur

NeSmith got the Panthers to overtime with a steal and layup and

Austin (also four assists, three steals/blocks) put them ahead for

good, at 52-50, with a theft/dunk combo. He left open the door to

possible heartache by missing two free throws at 4.2, but BF's last

shot did not connect. 2013 Class 3A At Hershey's Giant Center Imhotep 54, Carroll 45 The Panthers seized their fourth state title in five

years (exception: 2010) and first in this classification as Brandon

Austin led the way in points (25), rebounds (eight) and assists

(three). In those five seasons, Imhotep went 49-3 in postseason

action. Carroll shot 17-for-56 overall and 2-for-19 on treys.

Big-guy sophs Ernest Aflakpui (13 points, 12 rebounds) and Derrick

Jones (13, 11) posted almost identical stats. 2017 Class 4A At Hershey's Giant Center Imhotep 80, Erie Strong Vincent 52 The

Panthers, playing in their third classification, ended a four-year

wait for a fifth state crown in dominant fashion, thanks primarily

to Daron Russell (25) and David Beatty (19). Their average victory

margin through this five-game run to a state crown was 29-2 and they

finished 31-2 overall. Russell notched six of his seven steals in a

48-26 first half. 2018 Class 4A At Hershey's Giant Center Imhotep 71, Sharon 35 A 31-2 overall record was again obtained in stress-free fashion. Only

three Sharon players posted field goals and the not-so-grand total

was eight. 'Tep coach Andre Noble removed his starters midway

through the third quarter. Dahmir Bishop scored 20 points, shooting

6-for-9 (three treys) and 5-for-5. 2019 Class 4A At Hershey's Giant Center Imhotep 67, Bonner-Prendergast 56 After losing to B-P in the City Title, 'Tep impressively turned the

table to win state crown No. 7 thanks in large part to Donta Scott.

He hustled for 20 points, six rebounds and five assists. Starter

Dahmir Bishop added an expected point total (12) and sub Elijah

Taylor provided a surprise by sniping 7-for-7 en route to 16 points.

He also had five boards. The Friars received 29 points from Isaiah

Wong, but were 17-for-45 from the field to 'Tep's 23-for-40. 2022 Class 5A At Hershey's Giant Center Imhotep 54, New Castle 39 After missing out on chances for titles in 2020 and '21 due to

COVID-19, the Panthers returned and raised their record in finals to

8-0. In rather easy fashion, too; they stormed to a 14-0 lead.

Justin Edwards started the barrage with a trey and finished 7-for-11

for 20 points. Rahmir Barno added 12 points, six rebounds, four

assists and three steaks. Sub Ma'Kye Taylor had eight points, five

boards.

Below are the players who

have helped Andre Noble claim 442 wins and 24 championships (10 Public/6 City/8 State)

18 seasons as the coach at Imhotep Charter. The year indicates the player's final season. Most

were seniors. Some transferred and some were underclassmen who did not play in the following season.

Curshawn Banks | 2005 | Jahlil Williams | 2010 | Jaekwon Carlyle | 2016

Darrell Washington | 2005 | Marcus Glover | 2010 | Jaquan Arrington | 2016

Devin Summerville | 2005 | Markeise Chandler | 2010 | Joshua Townsend | 2016

Dominic Washington | 2005 | Quantrell Kemp | 2010 | Khalib Cousins | 2016

Gary Lawrence | 2005 | Sharif Saunders | 2010 | Koby Thomas | 2016

Keith Mitchell | 2005 | Ameen Tanksley | 2011 | Nysir Marshburn | 2016

Preston Tilghman | 2005 | Bakari White | 2011 | Bernard Lightsey | 2017

Quaran Johnson | 2005 | Brian Virgile | 2011 | Daron Russell | 2017

Steve Hackett | 2005 | David Appolon | 2011 | Naim Walker | 2017

Victor Ellis | 2005 | Earl Brown | 2011 | Amear Johnson | 2018

Curtis Jackson | 2006 | Erik Copes | 2011 | Davonte Canty | 2018

Kenneth Battle | 2006 | Martez Smithers | 2011 | D'Shaun Seals | 2018

Kevin Burwell | 2006 | Termir Sutton-Durham | 2011 | Jihad Jones | 2018

Denzel Gatewood | 2007 | Terrell Johnson | 2011 | Karam Cummings | 2018

Hanif Nixon | 2007 | Tyhiem Perrin | 2011 | Marquise Greenwood | 2018

Jermaine Washington | 2007 | Anthony Rhem | 2012 | Themere Simmons | 2018

Kashief Edwards | 2007 | Donovan Barnes | 2012 | Chereef Knox | 2019

Ramone Williams | 2007 | Gregory Bennett | 2012 | Dahmir Bishop | 2019

Shawn Rodgers | 2007 | Kamani Jordan | 2012 | Donta Scott | 2019

Tamir Johnson | 2007 | Khyree Wooten | 2012 | Elijah Taylor | 2019

Demar Morine | 2008 | Shakur NeSmith | 2012 | Fatayn Wesley | 2019

DJ Newbill | 2008 | Trayvond Massenburg | 2012 | Jamil Riggins | 2019

Jamal Jones | 2008 | Tyheem Harmon | 2012 | Kaleem Moultrie | 2019

Jerrod Johnson | 2008 | Tyheem Harmon | 2013 | Elijah Taylor | 2020

Lamar Trice | 2008 | Abraham Massaley | 2013 | Jahiem Bethea | 2020

Miguel Bocachica | 2008 | Brandon Austin | 2013 | Jhakryr Harley | 2020

Rashad Savage | 2008 | Carnel Harley | 2013 | Kamrohn Roundtree | 2020

Steven Leath | 2008 | Deryl Bagwell | 2013 | Khalif Crawley | 2020

Damien McBride | 2009 | Jalil Myers | 2013 | Lah-tee Childress | 2020

Ivory Wells | 2009 | Nigel Grant | 2013 | Sami Wylie | 2020

Jamal Jones | 2009 | Nysier Brooks | 2013 | Haseem Cannon | 2021

Kenny Battle | 2009 | Ahmad Wimbush | 2014 | Naji Reed | 2021

Lamont McLaurin | 2009 | Basil Thompson | 2014 | Rafiq Harris | 2021

Parrish Grant | 2009 | Deion Evans | 2014 | Shakur Smith | 2021

Saledeem Major | 2009 | Dymir Logan | 2014 | Stewart Clarke | 2021

Sam Prescott | 2009 | Jakwan Jones | 2014 | Ahmad Nowell | 2022

Tyree Morgan | 2009 | Kevin Brown | 2014 | Amaury Hunter | 2022

Will Adams | 2009 | Sean Lloyd | 2014 | Chad Anglin | 2022

| | Shaheed Fagan-Haynes | 2014 | Devin Booker | 2022

| | Waheem Lowman | 2014 | Devin Carter | 2022

| | Cananchet Jordan | 2015 | Isaiah Kennedy | 2022

| | DeAnte Robinson | 2015 | Jay Chiles | 2022

| | Devin Liggeons | 2015 | Jeremiah White | 2022

| | Jamaal Brown | 2015 | Justin Edwards | 2022

| | Khalief Tinley | 2015 | Makye Taylor | 2022

| | Khatib Cousins | 2015 | Malcolm Muhammad | 2022

| | Myron Sanders | 2015 | Mo Abdullah | 2022

| | Wade Lowman | 2015 | Rahmir Barno | 2022

| | Wyheem Lowman | 2015 | Ronny Raphael | 2022

| | | | Yahmir Satterfield | 2022

Career Tribute . . . Imhotep Charter Basketball Coach Andre Noble

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