Dorn helps lift Del Val Charter over Franklin

Going back to the eighth grade, Rysheen Dorn has been fascinated by electricity.

So you know what he did yesterday at the start of a Public C basketball game, right?

Lit up the gym.

Not to record-breaking proportions, mind you, but Dorn did score the first seven points - layup, trey, layup - and visiting Delaware Valley Charter parlayed that quick start into a 68-55, ahead-throughout Public C win over Ben Franklin.

Overall, the 6-4, 190-pound senior contributed 18 points (6-for-9 from the floor), six rebounds and two apiece of assists and steals.

"Scoring early, that's a pattern lately," Dorn said. "We were going through a stretch where we were letting teams get the jump on us. Maybe only the first six points, but we couldn't let that keep happening. We want to be the ones making that nice early push.

"Today, it was happening, because we were getting out in transition."

Funny he should mention that word. Dorn's game is constantly evolving as he tries to earn a Division I scholarship.

Interest has come from Saint Joseph's, St. Francis (Pa.), Niagara, Ball State and Arkansas-Little Rock, while a strong look is being taken by Stony Brook.

While mostly a wing player, the West Philly native (58th and Walton) now sees occasional time at the point.

"I just love being on the wing," he said, "because you can take jumpers or take it to the hole. But over there, it's easier to get doubled, so coach [Antoine Brockington] sometimes has me bringing up the ball now. I like having it in my hands. I can do things right when I come upcourt.

"The best thing lately is that my teammates are stepping up. People know about me and they try to come after me. When we played that Paul VI team in Jersey, they put a box-and-one on me. Guess they did their scouting. But now people are going to see this: We've got other weapons."

Christian McNeely fired home 22 points, while big-'un Fred Ruff, a star lineman, powered for 10 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks. Franklin's headliner was Kenny Bey-Brown (25 points, six steals).

While Dorn also has an interest in computers, he figures he wants to major in business management, so he can own a company filled with electricians.

"I love electricity," he said. "Not sure why. I just do."

Creating it ain't half-bad, either. *