HERSHEY, Pa. (AP) - Jumping out to a double-digit lead quickly - and remarkably early - Imhotep Charter turned its early burst into an 80-52 victory over Erie Strong Vincent in the PIAA Class 4A boys basketball championship Saturday at Giant Center.
Rhode Island recruit Daron Russell scored 18 of his 25 points in the opening half for Andre Noble’s Panthers (31-2), who bolted to a double-digit lead (14-3) by the midway point of the first quarter. The game was tied once, 3-3, before Imhotep erupted.
David Beatty added 19 points - 10 in the second half - as Imhotep Charter hammered its way to its 22nd consecutive victory. Beatty will play at South Carolina.
On point defensively from the opening tip on, Imhotep Charter forced 24 turnovers - including nine in the first quarter as the Panthers opened a 27-11 lead. Noble’s outfit continued its onslaught, expanding its advantage to 48-26 at the break.
Tennessee State recruit David Morris banked 26 points for the District 10 champion Colonels (27-4). Morris finished his career with 2,270, the highest total in Erie County history. Aje Gore also reached double digits for Strong Vincent, scoring 11 points.
Imhotep Charter 80, Strong Vincent 52
Imhotep Charter (31-2) 80
Dave Beatty 6 6-6 19; Daron Russell 9 3-4 25; Chereef Knox 1 0-0 2; Bernard Lightsey 2 1-2 7; Donta Scott 4 1-3 9; Fatayn Wesley 1 2-2 5; Dahmir Bishop 0 2-2 2; Sami Wylie 0 0-2 0; Amear Johnson 1 0-0 2; Karam Cummings 1 0-0 2; Jamil Riggins 2 3-4 7. Totals: 27 18-25 80.
3-point goals: Russell 4, Lightsey 2, Beatty, Wesley.
Did not score: Davonte Canty, Elijah Taylor.
Strong Vincent (27-4) 52
David Morris 7 9-15 26; Tahjmere Jones 2 0-0 5; Jerome Henderson 0 1-2 1; Aje Gore 4 1-3 11; Khamoni Moye 1 0-0 3; Samad Bailey 0 2-2 2; Darryl Freeman 1 2-2 4. Totals: 15 15-24 52.
3-point goals: Morris 3, Gore 2, Jones, Moye.
Did not score: William Lyons, Jron Rickert, Edward Thompson, William Makowski, Paris Lee, Caleb Acevedo.
Score by quarters
Imhotep Charter’27’21’18’14 - 80
Strong Vincent’11’15’14’12 - 52
Please read our comment policy before commenting.