Imhotep Charter Defeats Archbishop Ryan 69-58 for the PIAA District 12 Class 5A Championship: Kehler on Hoops
Written by: Dell Jackson on March 3, 2023
Imhotep Charter Defeats Archbishop Ryan 69-58 for the PIAA District 12 Class 5A Championship
Imhotep Charter piled up a big lead, then cruised to a 69 to 58 victory in the PIAA District 12 Class 5A championship game on Thursday evening at Abraham Lincoln. Imhotep recently won the Philadelphia Public League championship, and they are the defending PIAA Class 5A state champion. Imhotep is widely considered to be the top boys high school team in Pennsylvania this season.
Imhotep had too much firepower for Ryan in this game, and Imhotep’s pressure defense was a huge factor in the outcome.
Ryan fell behind early, and the game soon got out of their reach. Ryan went up 4 to 2 on a 3-pointer by 6’ 4” junior Darren Williams. Imhotep countered with a 3-pointer by 6’ 2” senior Yahmir Satterfield. Ryan took their final lead of the game, 6 to 5, on a hoop inside by 6’ 9” junior Thomas Sorber, then another 3-pointer by Satterfield put Imhotep up 8 to 6, and the Public League champs led the rest of the way. Particularly in the first half, Imhotep defensive pressure caused Ryan to commit repeated turnovers prior to advancing the ball past the 10 second line, and Imhotep almost always converted these turnovers into points. On three successive possessions in the second quarter, Ryan turnovers were converted to two layups and a dunk by 6’ 7” Imhotep senior Justin Edwards, who will play college basketball at Kentucky next season. Edwards had three spectacular dunks in the game, and three other Imhotep players had a dunk each, indicative of the team’s power and vertical game.
Imhotep has a versatile offense, with some big guys who can score inside, some quick guards who can run the floor, several outside shooters, and overall quickness, leaping ability, and toughness. Ryan tried several defensive schemes to hold Imhotep in check, but Imhotep had too many weapons for the Philadelphia Catholic League power to contain.
Edwards left the game with an injury in the third quarter, but Imhotep twice had 22 point leads in the third frame. The game had a looser feel in the fourth quarter, as Imhotep’s defense seemed to be less intense, while their offense committed nine turnovers in the final period. There was no quit in Ryan, and they continued to battle down the stretch. Ryan’s Williams scored 10 points in the fourth quarter, and he was the game’s high scorer with 22, but Imhotep had built too large a lead in this game to be overtaken.
Imhotep out-rebounded Ryan 38 to 24. Imhotep committed 21 turnovers, while Ryan had 19 miscues. Imhotep was much more proficient in this game in generating points from the opponent’s turnovers. Imhotep was 13 of 19 from the free throw line, and Ryan was 11 of 19 from the stripe. Imhotep made four 3-pointers, and Ryan scored eight times from beyond the arc. Early in the first quarter, there were four lead changes and a tie.
Imhotep Charter scoring: Justin Edwards 18, Ahmad Nowell 17, Rahmir Barno 9, Yahmir Satterfield 8, Makye Taylor 8, R.J. Smith 4, Zaahir Muhammad-Gray 3, and Baasil Saunders 2.
Archbishop Ryan scoring: Darren Williams 22, Thomas Sorber 14, Ryan Everett 12, Jaden Murray 4, Mark Gallagher 3, Frank Monaco 2, and Michael Zaire Paris 1.
Archbishop Ryan 10 11 13 24-58
Imhotep Charter 19 22 14 14-69
Imhotep Charter and Archbishop Ryan both will advance to the PIAA Class 5A state championship tournament. These two teams, along with Radnor, from District 1, are the top Class 5A squads in southeastern Pennsylvania.
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