Constitution and Math, Civics & Sciences set to face off with Public League title game on the line
Imhotep, which has won the last three Public League championships, will take on Lincoln Tuesday in the semifinals at Temple’s Liacouras Center.
The Public League boys’ basketball semifinals are Tuesday at Temple’s Liacouras Center. There weren’t any major surprises in the first three rounds as the top four teams in the A Division all advanced.
Constitution will play Math, Civics & Sciences at 4 p.m. Imhotep Charter will face Lincoln at 6 p.m. Here is a look at the matchups:
Constitution vs. Math, Civics & Sciences
Constitution and Math, Civics & Sciences have battled plenty over the years as the programs consistently make deep runs in the league playoffs. Last season, Constitution reached the semifinals, and MCS fell in the quarterfinals. Constitution last reached the title game in 2019. MCS got to the title game in 2020 when the Mighty Elephants won their first PPL championship.
Constitution senior guard Kyree Latimer is one of the top scorers in the city, averaging more than 20 points. He’s the head of a star trio that also includes senior wing Amir Speights and senior guard Perry Fields. Speights can play inside and out, and Fields might be the best rebounding guard in the area. Senior guards Kory Jones and Naamir Flowers join them in the starting lineup. Juniors Khair White-Blayblock and Khaleek Johnson also add solid shot-making and quickness out of the back court. Jones, Latimer, Fields, and Flowers each scored in double figures in a Dec. 14 win over MCS.
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The Mighty Elephants are led by 6-foot-6 senior forward Sair Alsbrook and sophomore guard Milak Myatt, who is a burgeoning prospect. Forward Azeem Murphy, a 6-5 senior, and point guard Kevin Carter bring leadership to the group. Seniors Aiden Brown and Maki Hill and junior Alantay Dawson add to a deep rotation.
Imhotep Charter vs. Lincoln
Imhotep has won the last three Public League championships, including two against the Railsplitters in 2021 and 2022. Even after the graduation of a decorated class, the Panthers still ran the table in the Public League and have continued that this postseason.
Panthers senior guard Ahmad Nowell, who is committed to UConn, has carried the group, but he’s had some help. Classmate Makye Taylor, who is heading to Albany next year, returned to the floor on Jan. 24 after a preseason injury. Gritty senior forward Jeremiah White and sophomore guard R.J. Smith also have gained more experience. Sophomore forward Zaahir Muhammad-Gray and junior guard Carnell Henderson have emerged as reliable outlets for Imhotep.
Lincoln counters with a senior-heavy group led by guards Aldonis Martin and Malachi Montgomery and forward Samair Peterson. All three are big-time scoring threats. Mason Smith, a 6-4 forward, will have to hold his own inside against Taylor (6-7), Muhammad-Gray (6-6), and White (6-6). Sophomore guard Dajon Smith is the fifth starter for the Railsplitters, who have won nine games since a three-game losing streak in mid-January that included the lopsided loss to Imhotep.
This story was produced as part of a partnership between The Inquirer and City of Basketball Love, a nonprofit news organization that covers high school and college basketball in the Philadelphia area while also helping mentor the next generation of sportswriters. This collaboration will help boost coverage of the city’s vibrant amateur basketball scene, from the high school ranks up through the Big 5 and beyond.