Hoop dreams

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If the city championship game was still around, the talk of South Philly would be the potential Neumann-Goretti-Prep Charter match-up for bragging rights. Since it no longer exists and neither had an open spot on their schedules, that game has been put on hold until next winter.

For now, both teams are more concerned with prepping for their respective seasons. The Neumann-Goretti Saints enter the year as the defending Catholic League champs and return with a starting line-up with four Division I athletes. They opened the season ranked seventh in the USA Today Top-25 poll and have slated several of the nation’s top-10 teams in an extremely competitive non-league schedule that takes the Saints to Houston, Texas, and Springfield, Mass.

The Prep Charter Huskies made Public League history in 2005 by becoming the first charter school to compete for a league championship in any sport. But after losing to Central, the Huskies have some unfinished business. La Salle University-bound guard Rodney Green is back to lead the offense, while twins 6-foot-8 Marcus Morris and 6-foot-9 Markieff Morris, along with a very deep bench, make Prep Charter a team to beat in the Public League.

The Bok Wildcats, CAPA Pegasus, Furness Falcons, GAMP Pioneers and Southern Rams also are looking to be competitive in the coming months.

Here is a team-by-team look at the season, which is officially under way:

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Public League

All games start at 3 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Team: Bok Wildcats

Coach: Lloyd Jenkins

2005 record: 10-8 overall, 8-6 league

Division: A

PIAA classification: AAA

Home court: Eighth and Mifflin streets

The Wildcats are going to have a tough time matching last year’s magical season when they represented the Philadelphia Public League in the AAA state playoffs. Gone are top three scorers Marquise Salley (21.9), Lamont Butler (14.8) and Corey Moultrie (11.4), leaving Jenkins a big offensive void in his lineup.

"We’re young and inexperienced," the coach said. "We are returning a couple guys from last year, but they didn’t get much playing time."

Senior James Jones, coming off a very successful football season where he helped lead Bok to the Public League’s AAA title, is expected to be the spark plug of the Wildcats offense. The guard saw action in last year’s state tournament against Phoenixville, scoring 14 points in a lopsided loss.

Key players:

G James Jones 5’7" SR
F David Lorn 6’2" SR
F Garry Harris 6’3" SR
G Keith Williams 5’6" JR
F Darnell Simpson 6’1" SR
F Greg Myers 6’1" SR
G Antoine Whitted 6′ SR

Teams to beat: Parkway, Communications Technology and Strawberry Mansion

Coach’s outlook: "Hopefully, we’ll make the AAA playoffs for District XII [Philadelphia Public League] and, once you get in the playoffs, anything can happen. We’ll take that step when we get there."

Schedule

Dec. 13 Communications Tech Away
Dec. 15 West Philadelphia Home
Dec. 20 King Away
Dec. 22 University City Home
Dec. 28-29 South Philly Tournament at Bok TBA
Jan. 3 Germantown Away
Jan. 5 Central Home
Jan. 10 Bartram Away
Jan. 12 Gratz Home
Jan. 17 Parkway Away
Jan. 19 Roxborough Home
Jan. 23 Bodine Away
Jan. 24 Furness Away
Jan. 26 Southern Away
Feb. 6 Swenson Away
Feb. 9 Overbrook Home

Team: CAPA Pegasus

Coach: John Dunphy

2005 record: 3-13 league

Division: C

PIAA classification: AA

Home court: 10th and Fitzwater streets

Being just their second season in Public League competition, the CAPA Pegasus are still considered a work in progress. Five graduated from last year’s team, opening the door for some newcomers to see a lot of minutes. Senior Carl Chapman is a returning starter. He averaged a team-high of 13.5 points per game as a junior.

"We are a little on the young side, but we seem to handle the ball pretty well," Dunphy said.

Key players:

F Carl Chapman 6’2" SR
G Sam Bennett 5’10" SR
F Daric Nance 6′ SR
C Bryan Dearry 6’4" SO
G Colin Brennan 5’10" SO
G Cameron Bell 6’1" SO
C Bilal Ahmad 6’5" JR

Teams to beat: Prep Charter, Freire Charter and Masterman

Coach’s outlook: "I think we have a realistic chance to play .500 ball if we dictate the tempo and control the ball."

Schedule

Dec. 8 Imhotep Charter Home
Dec. 13 Prep Charter Away
Dec. 15 Freire Charter Home
Dec. 20 Franklin Learning Center Away
Dec. 22 Mastery Charter Away
Jan. 3 Saul Home
Jan. 5 Nueva Esperanza Home
Jan. 10 World Communications Away
Jan. 17 Human Services Home
Jan. 19 GAMP Away
Jan. 24 Philadelphia Electric Home
Jan. 26 Lamberton Away
Jan. 31 Bodine Home
Feb. 6 Hope Charter Away
Feb. 7 E&S; Home
Feb. 9 Masterman Away

Team: Furness Falcons

Coach: Dave Connolly

2005 record: 0-15 overall, 0-14 league

Division: A

PIAA classification: AAAA

Home court: Murphy Recreation Center, Fourth and Shunk streets

The Falcons enter the season looking to improve on last year’s winless mark. Even though Connolly hasn’t seen his team in game action, he is confident his players will get back on the winning track.

"Anything is a plus from last year," he said. "These kids are a little more athletic and have basic basketball skill. We also have some size this year."

Unfortunately, the Falcons have just one non-league game against Kensington scheduled before the opening of their regular season. That game will be played against Central, the defending Public League champs.

Key players:

G Dwayne Wilson 5’8" SR
G Robert Antrom 5’11" JR
F Malik Tappe 6’1" SR
F Donald Griffith 6’1" SR
C Gerald Abdullah 6’5" SR
G Quierone Abbott 5’8" JR
F Corron Pittman 6’4" SR

Teams to beat: Gratz, Central and Bartram

Coach’s outlook: "We seem to have more chemistry. I am looking for them to be competitive and hopefully not get blown away."

Schedule

Dec. 14 Kensington Home
Dec. 15 Central Home
Dec. 20 Bartram Home
Dec. 22 Gratz Home
Jan. 3 Parkway Away
Jan. 5 Roxborough Home
Jan. 12 Southern Away
Jan. 17 Franklin Towne Charter Home
Jan. 19 Swenson Away
Jan. 24 Bok Home
Jan. 26 Overbrook Home
Jan. 31 West Philadelphia Away
Feb. 6 King Home
Feb. 7 University City Away
Feb. 9 Germantown Home

Team: GAMP Pioneers

Coach: Art Kratchman

2005 record: 4-19 overall, 4-12 league

Division: C

PIAA classification: AA

Home court: Guerin Recreation Center, 16th and Jackson streets

The time is now for the Pioneers. Winning four games simply isn’t good enough for a group of players in their third season together. Kratchman is hoping the combination of experience and some size will help transform his squad into a .500 team or better.

Junior Eric Funaro, who led the offense with 11.9 points per game as a sophomore, Stefan Thompson and Anthony Venafro have been playing together since freshmen year.

"They’ve been taking some lumps and I think they’re ready to win some games," Kratchman said.

Key players:

C Khiry Gordon 6’6" JR
F Eric Funaro 6’1" JR
G/F Anthony Venafro 6’2" JR
G Joe Connor 6’2" JR
G Stefan Thompson 6′ JR
G Leron Byrd 5’10" FR

Teams to beat: Prep Charter, Masterman, Bodine, E&S; and Del-Val Charter

Coach’s outlook: "I am going to be very, very disappointed if we are not making a run at the playoffs and .500 or better in the league. I think this is a team definitely capable of doing that."

Schedule

Dec. 8 Masterman Home
Dec. 13 Del-Val Charter Away
Dec. 17 Cherry Hill West Away TBA
Dec. 20 Friends Select Away
Dec. 22 Freire Charter Home
Dec. 28-29 South Philly Tournament at Bok TBA
Jan. 3 Franklin Learning Center Away
Jan. 5 Mastery Charter Home
Jan. 10 Saul Away
Jan. 12 Nueva Esperanza Home
Jan. 16 Prep Charter Away 11 a.m.
Jan. 17 World Communications Away
Jan. 19 CAPA Home
Jan. 24 Human Services Away
Jan. 27-28 Carson Long Shootout Away TBA
Jan. 31 Philadelphia Electric Home
Feb. 2 Lamberton Away
Feb. 7 Bodine Home
Feb. 9 Hope Charter Away

Team: Prep Charter Huskies

Coach: Dan Brinkley

2005 record: 22-6 overall, 14-2 league

Division: C

PIAA classification: AA

Home court: 1928 Point Breeze Ave.

The Huskies put the Public League on notice last season that they’re the real deal. In their debut postseason appearance, the team advanced to the championship at Temple University’s Liacouras Center, losing to the Central Lancers. They were one of only three city teams to advance to the second round of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association state tournament.

A new season brings new opportunities and these Huskies are ready for a challenge in the Public League and state title races.

"They’re focused and determined to prove that they’re not just a group of talented individuals," Brinkley said. "They understand for us to duplicate our success or improve, we have to share the ball and play as a team. They’re jelling very well together."

Key players:

G Rodney Green 6’6" SR
F Markieff Morris 6’9" JR
F Marcus Morris 6’8" JR
G Doug Davis 5’10" JR
G Josh Martin 6’2" JR
F Cullen Askew 6’8" SR
F Parris Griffin 6’6" SR
G Kevin Radford 5’10" JR
F Tyree Harris 6’5" FR
G Jessie Morgan 6’1" FR

Teams to beat: Central, Bartram and Gratz

Coach’s outlook: "I am pretty confident that we can compete with whoever we step on the court with. We’re going to get better quarter by quarter, game by game."

Schedule

Dec. 8 World Communications Away
Dec. 13 CAPA Home
Dec. 15 Human Services Away
Dec. 18-22 Mission Prep Christmas Classic (California)
Dec. 22 Philadelphia Electric Away
Jan. 3 Lamberton Home
Jan. 5 Bodine Away
Jan. 10 Hope Charter Home
Jan. 12 E&S; Away
Jan. 16 GAMP Home 11 a.m.
Jan. 18 American Christian (at Palestra) 5 p.m.
Jan. 19 Del-Val Charter Away
Jan. 24 Imhotep Charter Home
Jan. 29 Chester (at Palestra) 3:30 p.m.
Jan. 30 Masterman Home
Jan. 31 Freire Charter Away
Feb. 6 Franklin Learning Center Home
Feb. 7 Mastery Charter Away
Feb. 9 Saul Home

Team: Southern Rams

Coach: George Anderson

2005 record: 10-8 overall, 9-5 league

Division: A

PIAA classification: AAAA

Home court: Broad Street and Snyder Avenue

The Rams aren’t messing around when it comes to their non-league schedule. They opened the season with a 57-49 win over Central, the defending Public League champs, in the Ben Franklin Tournament. Anderson said it’s the experience of playing some of the area’s top teams that will help his squad mature and position themselves for a possible trip to the state playoffs. The non-league slate also includes games against Neumann-Goretti, St. Joe’s Prep and Chester.

"This is the way I like it," Anderson said of the schedule. "It gives our guys some exposure."

The Rams’ December slate includes a stay in Lancaster from Dec. 29 to 30 and next month they’ll head to Harrisburg to face Cumberland Valley.

The downside: the Rams lack size, with guards Ramone Moore, a 6-foot-4 junior, and Jason Saab, a 6-foot-3 senior, being the tallest.

"We have no height at all, but we do have a lot of athletic guys who have been working hard and getting in shape," Anderson said.

Key players:

F Bryheem Charity 6’2" SR
G Ramone Moore 6’4" JR
G Daniel Weatherly 6’2" JR
G Oliver Burbage 5’10" SR
G Jason Saab 6’3" SR
G Eric Jones 5’8" SO
F Byron Jones 6’2" SO
G Khaliek Kemp 5’8" SO

Teams to beat: Bartram, Gratz and Central

Coach’s outlook: "I am hoping these guys come around for the state playoffs because we missed it by one game last year. I would really like to have a chance to get into the state playoffs and see what we can do."

Schedule

Dec. 10 Chester Away 7 p.m.

Dec. 12 St. Joe’s Prep Away 3:30 p.m.
Dec. 15 Germantown Home
Dec. 20 Central Away
Dec. 21 Neumann-Goretti Home 3:30 p.m.
Dec. 22 Bartram Home
Dec. 29-30 Lancaster Tournament Away TBA
Jan. 3 Gratz Away
Jan. 5 Parkway Home
Jan. 10 Roxborough Away
Jan. 12 Furness Home
Jan. 19 Franklin Towne Charter Away
Jan. 24 Swenson Home
Jan. 26 Bok Home
Jan. 31 Overbrook Away
Feb. 6 West Philadelphia Home
Feb. 7 King Away
Feb. 9 University City Home

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Catholic League

Team: Neumann-Goretti Saints

Coach: Carl Arrigale

2005 record: 27-3 overall, 13-1 league

Division: South

Home court: 10th and Moore streets

Don’t worry about getting tickets to see the Saints at 10th and Moore streets this year – they don’t have a home game until Jan. 2. Instead, they are scheduled to travel to Houston, Texas, from Dec. 28 to 30 for the Nike Academy National Invitational Tournament, which features some of the nation’s top-ranked teams. Jan. 15, the Saints will be in Springfield, Mass., for a game against Maryland’s Montrose Christian, which opened the season ranked number one in the country by USA Today.

"We pride ourselves on not ducking anyone," Arrigale said. "I think we overachieved in our scheduling this year. A team like this only comes around once in a lifetime. I am going to enjoy it and try to get the most out of them."

He is referring to the fact Neumann-Goretti’s starting five features four future Division I players. Juniors Rick Jackson and Antonio Jardine have verbally committed to Syracuse University, while senior Derrick Rivera has signed a National Letter of Intent with the St. Joseph’s University Hawks. Classmate Earl Pettis is being recruited by several Division I schools, including Temple University, Seton Hall and Connecticut.

The newcomer is Jamal Wilson, who averaged 15-plus points per game on junior varsity last season.

Key players:

F Rick Jackson 6’9" JR
G Earl Pettis 6’5" SR
G Derrick Rivera 6’2" SR
G Antonio "Scoop" Jardine 6’3" JR
G Jamal Wilson 6’5" SO
G Frank Biondo 5’10" SR
G Mark Hatty 6’4" JR
F Anthony "Scooter" Gilette 6’6" FR
F Henry Smith 6’5" FR
G Terrell Taylor 5’10" SO

Teams to beat: St. Joe’s Prep and Roman Catholic

Coach’s outlook: "Our goal is to keep getting better and make sure we are playing our best basketball by the end of the year."

Schedule

Dec. 17 St. Patrick’s (N.J.) (at Seton Hall Prep) TBA
Dec. 21 Southern Away 3:30 p.m.
Dec. 28-30 Nike Academy National Invitational (Houston, Texas)
Jan. 2 St. Joseph’s Prep Home 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 6 Roman Catholic (at Philadelphia University) 6 p.m.
Jan. 8 Monsignor Bonner Away 2:30 p.m.
Jan. 12 Cardinal O’Hara Home 8 p.m.
Jan. 15 Montrose Christian (at Springfield, Mass.) TBA
Jan. 16 West Catholic Away 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 18 Episcopal Academy (at Palestra) 7 p.m.*
Jan. 20 Kennedy-Kenrick Home 8 p.m.
Jan. 22 Archbishop Carroll Away 2:30 p.m.
Jan. 27 St. Joseph’s Prep Away 3:30 p.m.
Jan. 29 Roman Catholic (at Palestra) 3:30 p.m.
Feb. 3 Monsignor Bonner Home 8 p.m.
Feb. 9 Cardinal O’Hara Away 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 13 West Catholic Home 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 17 Kennedy-Kenrick Away 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 19 Archbishop Carroll Home 2:30 p.m.

*Televised on ESPN2