Boys high school playoff hoops in full swing

Mekhi Jones (right) reaches to keep the ball inbounds for Academy at Palumbo in a playoff game against High School of the Future. The Griffins won the game, 68-30, to advance to the second round. Photo/Mark Zimmaro

The Academy at Palumbo boys basketball team routed High School of the Future, 68-30, to begin its Philadelphia Public League playoff run while remaining one of the hottest teams in the league. 

The Griffins (11-10) won their sixth straight, led by a 15-point effort by senior Andrew Fagans, while Terrell Tilghman added 10 points. The Griffins were face Constitution (15-7) today in the Round of 16. 

In other South Philly hoops, String Theory (13-7) defeated George Washington, 58-39, to open its playoff run and advance to the next round. The Knights take on Frankford in the second round today.

Southern joined the party by knocking off Northeast, 59-47, to start its playoff run. The Rams (14-6) ended a two-game slide and will visit Pickett Mastery Charter in the next round this afternoon.

Neumann-Goretti clinched the four seed in the Philadelphia Catholic League playoffs. The Saints, who finished their compacted PCL schedule with a 10-3 record, will host La Salle (8-5) on Feb. 18 in the quarterfinal round. Neumann-Goretti defeated the Explorers, 63-61, on Feb. 2. If the Saints pass that test, they would likely get a rematch with top seed Roman Catholic in the semifinals. Roman ran a 12-1 record in the Catholic League and defeated the Saints 64-55 on Feb. 4.