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
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
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)
in
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
Author
Published
March 5, 2026
Updated
March 6, 2026