Once more, Imhotep has Prep Charter's number

What's that cliche about the third time being the charm?

Well, that sure wasn't true for the Prep Charter boys' basketball team.

Yesterday, the Huskies faced the Imhotep Charter Panthers for the third time this season. And for the third time, the Panthers defeated their Public League C Division rivals.

This time, Imhotep Charter took a 58-55 Class AA state quarterfinal victory at Southern High School.

"To beat a team three times is hard," said Panthers guard Will Adams, whose squad is ranked second in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer. "The first time we beat them by five. The second time we blew them out. I knew we were in for a battle."

Yesterday's game had 11 lead changes and eight ties.

Parrish Grant's foul shots gave Imhotep a 58-55 lead with 4.3 seconds left.

The Huskies had an opportunity to force overtime. But Zaahid Holloman misfired on a three-pointer as time expired.

Surely, the Panthers had some concern when Holloman released the ball?

"Nah," Adams said. "We never think like that. We have poise. I knew, at some time, we were going to pull it out."

The Panthers (30-1) will make their third consecutive state semifinal appearance.

Imhotep will face Hughesville on Wednesday at a neutral site. The Panthers are 0-2 in state semifinal games.

Prep Charter, which won consecutive Class AA state titles in 2006 and 2007, finished its season at 22-7. Yesterday's loss was the fourth straight against the Panthers, dating back to last season.

A year ago, few would have envisioned Grant having a hand in ending the Huskies' season.

At the time, the 6-foot-2 senior was Prep Charter's standout point guard. He transferred to Imhotep last spring. Unfortunately for his former teammates, he was a difference in the game. Grant finished with a game-high 16 points to go with three steals.

Backcourt mates Sam Prescott and Adams were the Panthers' other double-figure scorers.

Prescott had 14 points, six rebounds, five blocks and two steals. Adams finished with 13 points.

Sophomore forward Erik Copes had two points, seven rebounds, and five blocked shots in the win.

Prep Charter 13 18 6 18 - 55

Imhotep Charter 15 17 9 17 - 58

PC: Ameen Tanksley 13, Tyree Harris 7, Ferg Myrick 14, Zaahid Holloman 10, Laquan Stephens 1, Chris Stokes 8, Mark Wilmer 2.

IC: Parrish Grant 16, Sam Prescott 14, Will Adams 13, Ivory Wells 3, Erik Copes 2, Kenny Battle 1, David Appolon 7, Saledeem Major 2.