PET Charter tops Boys' Latin, gains hold on Pub B title

If you think you could ever spot the kid who wears No. 3 for Philadelphia Electrical & Technology Charter's basketball team giving less than full effort . . .

Forget it. Not a Chance.

Some players have high motors. Devante Chance's is the kind found in jet planes.

"Where's that come from? Just from being determined to win," he said. "I'm going to work as hard as it takes to get my team over the hump.

"I figure if I go as hard as I can, my teammates will feed off my energy."

Chance, a 5-10, 165-pound senior, plays the point (and some wing) for PET and Tuesday at Shepard (nee Haddington) Rec, he spurred a 65-60 win over Boys' Latin Charter that likely decided the Public B regular season title. Two games remain; both entered 12-0.

Shooting 9-for-15 (one trey) and 6-for-9, he scored 25 points. He also collected two assists, three steals and 10 - yes, 10 - rebounds.

Watching intently was Chris Clark, the former St. Joseph's Prep and Temple star who's now an assistant at St. Francis (Pa.).

The Red Flash has not yet offered, but a witness claimed Clark's eyes did bug out on occasion and Chance said he has been told he's on the school's "short list for point guard. They're looking at me and one other guy."

Division II schools are also involved, even one as far away as Tennessee.

"The college stuff is way in the back of my mind," Chance said. "I'm trying to get wins first."

The reason he's not fretting and/or obsessed: He is already academically qualified for freshman eligibility.

"I wrapped that up back in December, when I got the [necessary] score on the ACT," Chance said. "I'm proud that I took care of that. Now basketball is my main concern, and it's going to get me into school for free."

As Chance acknowledged, the Chargers lacked some intensity early and some defensive matchups were causing problems. Substitutions were made and PET, down by as many as 12, were on top, 38-37, late in the third quarter.

Chance scored eight points in each session after halftime. In the fourth quarter, he went 6-for-8 at the line. Oh, and he had a classic war with BL junior Maurice Watson (26 points, five assists).

"You could say that," Chance said, laughing. "We went at it, but we both respect each other.

"They run some nice sets for him. It's tough to deny him the ball because he's constantly coming off screens. He's coming off them hard and you're just getting started again 'cause you just got screened. Makes it rough."

Chance, who lives near 7th and Hunting Park, is the son of Warren Chance, a 1993 Horace Furness grad and the co-holder of that school's one-game record for points (41). His main help Tuesday came from another senior guard, Carrington Ward (15 points, nine rebounds).