Unchartered territory

Most high-school students are still hitting the snooze button at 5:30 a.m.

That luxury doesn’t always apply to Bilal Rogers, whose Prep Charter basketball team occasionally holds 6 a.m. practices.

But any lost sleep is looking like a worthwhile sacrifice as the Prep Charter Huskies head into tomorrow’s Public League championship game against the Central Lancers. The contest begins at 8 p.m. at Temple University’s Liacouras Center.

The Huskies advanced by beating Engineering and Science 69-55 in Sunday night’s semifinal at Saint Joseph’s University, while Central defeated Frankford 54-43.

"It feels real good," said Rogers, who finished with seven points. "We’ve worked real hard this season. Our hard work got us to the championship game."

The contest will be a historic one for Prep Charter, as it is the first charter school in Philadelphia Public League history to play for a championship in any sport. The fourth-year program came a long way in a short time after finishing a combined 7-33 through the 2002 and 2003 seasons. Last year, the squad showed promise with a 7-7 league mark and an overall record of 12-10.

The Huskies took their first giant leap into the playoffs this season with a 14-2 record, and qualified for the Pennsylvania Interscholastic AA playoffs by beating Freire Charter in the PIAA District XII A title game. Prep Charter advanced to the final four by beating Bok in the Feb. 15 quarterfinal.

Sunday’s top scorer, Rodney Green, said the players have waited patiently for this moment.

"Everybody knew the first year would be a little rocky," said the junior guard, who finished with 19 points on seven-for-nine shooting from the field. "We just had to stay focused and work hard to be where we are."

THE HUSKIES HAVE picked up double-digit wins in all four of their postseason games, but Sunday night looked like a close one.

E&S; started closing in late in the game, reducing Prep Charter’s 13-point, third-quarter lead to six points. The Engineers’ valiant comeback attempt didn’t surprise Rogers.

"A semifinal basketball game is supposed to be close with back-and-forth scoring," he said. "I am glad we maintained the lead and pulled out the win."

Despite a poke in the eye early in the fourth quarter, Green helped the Huskies regain their momentum by scoring six late points.

"I just had to finish the game and get to the championship," the player said. "I’ll put a little ice on it."

The guard was one of three Huskies to reach double figures in scoring. Sophomore center Markieff Morris contributed 13 points and 12 rebounds, while senior Jason Dogan had 14 points, five rebounds and four assists.

First-year coach Dan Brinkley can relate to his underdog team. He pointed out that school chief academic officer John Badagliacco and athletic director Chuck Pearsall took a chance on him even though he wasn’t part of the Public League system. From the beginning of the season, he stressed his team concept of using a 12-player rotation and sharing the scoring load.

"I told the kids to give up a little bit of points in the beginning and the lights will shine in the end," said Brinkley, sporting a bowtie as a tribute to Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Dhani Jones.

The coach’s strategy has led to a balanced offense with four players averaging 10 points or more. Green is tops on the team with 14.8 points per game, while twins Markieff and Marcus Morris combine for 24-plus points and Dogan adds 11.6.

The Prep Charter student body has become an important component of the team’s success. The fans filled Saint Joe’s Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse Sunday night with colorful signs and loud chants. Tomorrow night, they’ll continue to watch this historic season unfold.

The Lady Huskies girls’ basketball team, who ironically lost to E&S; in last week’s quarterfinals, will have another shot at glory next month when the players make their first trip to states. The boys also will play in the state tournament.

But first, they must take on their toughest opposition yet in the AAAA champion Central Lancers.

Green suggests the Central athletes take his team as seriously as it is taking them.

"There will be no playing around in practice this week," he said. "Central has been in the Public League forever, and if they think that because we are a charter school that we are going to be an easy win, they’ve got another thing coming."

Title game at a glance

Teams: Prep Charter Huskies (14-2 league, 21-4 overall) vs. Central Lancers (14-0 league, 24-2 overall)
Place: Temple University’s Liacouras Center
Game time: 8 p.m.
Tickets: $8 at Prep Charter, $12 at the door
Coaches: Prep Charter: Dan Brinkley, first season, 21-4
Central: Haviland Harper, fifth season, 103-70

Prep Charter’s road to the championship: Beat Masterman, 62-28; Freire Charter, 86-62; Bok, 80-69; and E&S;, 69-55.

Central’s road to the championship: Beat Franklin, 79-64; University City, 67-48; and Frankford, 54-43.

Prep Charter’s starting five: Haven Wroten, senior; Jason Dogan, senior guard; Bilal Rogers, senior guard; Rodney Green, junior guard; and Markieff Morris, sophomore center.

Central’s starting five: Scott Rodgers, senior guard; Kenny St. George, junior forward; Rashiid Coleman, junior guard; Andre Woodlin, senior forward; and Marcus Morris (no relation to Prep Charter’s Morris), sophomore center.

Brinkley’s outlook: "I think it’s impossible to win a championship without great defense."

Harper’s outlook: "We played a tougher schedule so maybe we are more seasoned."