Public League preview: John Bartram vs. Imhotep Charter

Tonight, 8 o'clock, at Temple's Liacouras Center

BARTRAM'S PROJECTED STARTERS

G Tyrone Garland, 6-1, Sr., 453 points

G Quasim Jones, 6-0, Sr., 240

G Zaahir Allen, 6-1, Sr., 216

F Devin Moore, 6-4, Sr., 90

C Dijon Wright, 6-5, Jr., 65

BARTRAM'S KEY SUBSTITUTES

F-C Darrell Lane, 6-4, Sr., 80

G Darrell Robinson, 5-10, Jr., 59

G Mike Burton-Young, 5-5, Jr. 52

Note: Scoring for 18 PL games, including four playoffs.

IMHOTEP'S PROJECTED STARTERS

G David Appolon, 6-5, Jr., 237 (points)

G Ameen Tanksley, 6-4, Jr. 236

C Erik Copes, 6-8, Jr., 165

F Tyhiem Perrin, 6-4, Jr., 137

G Terrell Johnson, 5-10, Jr., 117

IMHOTEP'S KEY SUBSTITUTES

F Earl Brown, 6-5, Jr., 190

G Bakari White, 5-9, Jr. 56

Note: Scoring for 20 PL games, including four playoffs.

Records: Bartram is 19-7 with a seven-game winning streak. Imhotep (20-5) also has won seven in a row.

Coaches: James Brown, Bartram, 4th season, 73-32. Andre Noble, Imhotep, 6th season, 139-34.

Previous meeting: None. (Teams in different divisions.)

Background: Bartram, located at 67th and Elmwood, has been a PL member since the 1940-41 season. It has won five titles ('44, '47, '61, '72, '03). Imhotep, located at 21st and Godfrey, has been a PL member since the 2004-05 season. It won its first title last season.

Bartram personnel: Tyrone Garland (Virginia Tech) boasts 2,000-plus career points and can burn you from deep or with his body, including braids, flying through the air. Jones defines dangerous sniper. The springy Zaahir Allen scores mostly off the move. Devin Moore rebounds and defends. The beefy Dijon Wright bangs and converts dump-off passes. Off the bench, Darrell Lane is a Moore-Wright mix while Darrell Robinson/Mike Burton-Young are feisty with a knack for being clutch.

Imhotep personnel: David Appolon is quick and aggressive and can score in bursts, especially in transition. Ameen Tanksley, a lefty, is rugged, yet smooth, and can carry his squad. Erik Copes (George Washington) rebounds and blocks shots. Tyhiem Perrin's hustle always makes him productive. Terrell Johnson runs the show in non-gaudy, but efficient fashion. Off the bench, Earl Brown is capable of difference-making inside dirty work and Bakari White is a ballhandler.

What Bartram must do: Play well early to get its larger fan base involved. Achieve the perfect blend of playing with flair, yet smarts. Hope Wright can fare as well against Copes as he did vs. Dobbins' Jerrell Wright in the semis.

What Imhotep must do: Avoid fouling Bartram's guards; they're death and taxes at the line. Oh, and defend the arc against them. Create room for Appolon/Tanksley to do their things. Maintain poise.

What can be expected: Bartram is heavy in seniors. Imhotep has none. The talent levels are similar, but experience and pure hunger, especially for Garland, give Bartram a slight edge.