Imani Christian Academy Defeats Berlin Brothersvalley 81-64 for PIAA Class 1A State Championship: Kehler on Hoops
Written by: Dell Jackson on March 24, 2023
Imani Christian Academy Defeats Berlin Brothersvalley 81-64 for PIAA Class 1A State Championship
In a game of stark contrasts, Imani Christian Academy, of Pittsburgh, defeated perennial power Berlin Brothersvalley 81 to 64 on Thursday afternoon in the Giant Center in Hershey for the PIAA Class 1A state championship. It was Imani’s first ever basketball state championship, and it was a matchup between a big city school and a team from a town in Somerset County with just 2000 residents. In a further contrast, Imani’s starting lineup featured 6’ 11” sophomore Alier Maluk and 6’ 8” junior Virgil Hall, while Berlin’s tallest starter was 6’ 1”.
While Berlin scored first, Imani quickly took the lead, at 7 to 6, on a 3-pointer by Maluk, and the Pittsburgh squad led the rest of the way. Maluk, one of the top players in Pennsylvania, had a tremendous first quarter, scoring 12 points in the first frame. Berlin, however, was feisty and scrappy, and at no point did they appear to be awed by Imani. In particular, 6’ 1” Berlin junior Pace Prosser, who had a great game, kept his squad in the contest in the first quarter, notching nine points in the first period, scoring on drives and once from beyond the arc. Imani led 19 to 13 at the end of the first quarter.
Imani’s superior firepower was much in evidence in the second quarter. Maluk committed his second foul in the first minute of the second period and went to the bench for the balance of the quarter. Imani’s offense thrived anyway, with five players scoring in the second frame, including a couple of 3-pointers by 6’ sophomore Avery Wesley. Leading 25 to 20 midway through the second quarter, Imani launched an 8 to 0 run on a three point play by 5’ 10” sophomore R.J. Sledge, two free throws by 6’ 3” sophomore Markus Williams, and a 3-pointer by Wesley. That made it 33 to 20 in favor of Imani, and Berlin never recovered.
Although outgunned, Berlin never stopped trying. They played both man-to-man and 1-2-2 zone defenses, attacked the basket on offense, and did a great job on both boards. Imani’s second half scoring margin was just 42 to 40. Although it was obvious from the beginning of the game that the very talented Imani would win, Berlin’s doggedness was impressive. Berlin was able to score in this game, but they were not able to stop Imani’s sensational offense.
Both teams had 28 rebounds. Imani had 20 turnovers, and Berlin had 19 miscues. Imani was 18 of 27 from the free throw line, while Berlin was 10 of 19 from the stripe. Imani sank nine shots from beyond the arc, and four different Imani players made 3-pointers. Berlin made eight 3-pointers, also with four players scoring from deep. Early in the game, there were two ties and a lead change.
Imani Christian Academy scoring: Alier Maluk 22, Avery Wesley 16, Dame Givner 15, Virgil Hall 9, R.J. Sledge 8, Markus Williams 6, Bez Abdul 3, and Deston Hubbard 2.
Berlin Brothersvalley scoring: Pace Prosser 23, Ryan Blubaugh 13, Craig Jarvis 12, Caden Montgomery 9, Hobby McClucas 3, Mac Floor 3, and Parker Black 1.
Some other notable stats: For Imani, Maluk had seven rebounds and four assists. He was eight of 11 from the field. Wesley had six rebounds and three steals, and Givner had five steals and four assists. For Berlin, Prosser had nine rebounds, seven assists, and a steal and Montgomery had seven rebounds and two assists.
Imani Christian Academy 19 20 14 28-81
Berlin Brothersvalley 13 11 13 27-64
Both of these teams should be very good next season. Imani does’t have a senior on the roster, while Berlin returns juniors Prosser and 6’ 1” Craig Jarvis.
Imani finishes their championship campaign with a 23-6 record, while Berlin’s terrific season ends with a 26-3 tally.
On Twitter: @david_kehler
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