Brandon Austin has always played on championship teams at Imhotep Charter. Austin helped Imhotep Charter win the Public League, city and state championships last year. The 6-foot-6, 175-pound junior, will take his winning ways to Penn State, where he has given an oral commitment to play for the Nittany Lions.

“I want to help them win basketball games,” Austin said. “I’ve won a lot of games here. We’ve won championships. I feel like I can really help their program. I like the coaches at Penn State. Coach (Pat) Chambers (Penn State) is a good coach. I have a good relationship with him as well as the other coaches (Eugene Burroughs, Brian Daly, Keith Urgo). They have a good program. Penn State is in a good conference. They play some good basketball in the Big Ten.”

The Nittany Lions have a lot of coaches from the Philadelphia area. Penn State also has D.J. Newbill, former Strawberry Mansion star, who will be playing for the Nittany Lions next season. Newbill transferred to Penn State from Southern Mississippi. Newbill was one of the top players in the city two years ago.

“I know D.J. very well,” Austin said. “I played against him in high school. He’s a great player. He’ll be able to really help them out. I’m looking forward to playing with him. I think we’ll be a good one-two punch.”

Austin chose Penn State over some real good basketball programs such as Syracuse, Georgetown, Temple and Rutgers. His early commitment means his decision is out of the way. He can now focus on defending the league championship.

“I had some great schools interested in me,” Austin said. “It wasn’t an easy decision. They all have good programs. I just really liked Penn State. I feel it’s a good place for me.”

Austin is averaging 10.6 points a game. He has played point guard, shooting guard and small forward for Imhotep Charter. Austin has a beautiful touch from the outside and can take the ball to the basket. He’s one of those players who does everything very smoothly on the court.

Andre Noble, Imhotep Charter head coach, believes Austin should do quite well at Penn State with his all-around skills as a player.

“I’m very happy for Brandon,” Noble said. “He had some good schools recruiting him. He’s going to play for Penn State. Brandon is one of the best juniors in the city. I think Brandon can play point guard in college. Actually, he can play either spot point guard or shooting guard. He does a good job of moving the ball. He enjoys making a good pass. He has good size. Brandon has won a lot of games here. He’ll be playing for Coach Chambers and coach Urgo and the rest of the staff. They’ve done a nice job up there.”

Austin should have a bright future at the next level.

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When it comes to basketball, Philadelphia and New York have had some classic battles over the years. Well, there will be another one when these two cities face each other on Sunday, January 1, New Year’s Day in the fifth annual VILLA Classic, which showcases the top high school basketball teams from both cities. The games will be played at two local venues.

The tip-off will begin at Ben Franklin High School, 550 North Broad Street. The first game features Constitution High against Cardozo from New York City at noon. The second game will be Imhotep Charter and South Shore from New York at 3:45 p.m. Vaux will battle Boys and Girls High from New York immediately following the second contest.

After that, the high school basketball action will shift to Widener University, East 17th Street and Melrose Avenue in Chester for two games. Friends’ Central will play Wings Academy from New York at 6 p.m. In the final contest, Chester High will face Christ the King from New York at 7:45 p.m.

Fans will have an opportunity to see some of the best scholastic players from both cities. Constitution High has three outstanding players in 6-foot-6 senior Savon Goodman and 6-foot-2 senior Daiquan Walker. Imhotep Charter won the Public League and PIAA state championship last year. Imhotep’s key players are 6-foot-2 senior Khyree Wooten and 6-foot-6 junior Brandon Austin.

Vaux also has a terrific young player in 6-foot-4 junior Rysheed Jordan who has a lot of talent. Amille Jefferson is regarded as one of the top 24 high school players in the country. Jefferson, a 6-foot-8 senior, plays for Friends’ Central. Rondae Jefferson is a major player for Chester High. Jefferson, a 6-foot-5 junior swingman, led the Clippers to the PIAA Class AAAA state title last season. Jefferson’s older brother Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson plays basketball for Temple.

Omar King is a terrific player for Christ the King. He should be a player to watch in this great rivalry.

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The high school basketball season for Philadelphia area teams is moving into full swing this week. This season has the potential to be a great one. It has a tough act to follow from last year where four teams (Imhotep Charter, Math, Civics & Sciences, Chester and Neumann-Goretti) won PIAA state championships.

In the Public League, Imhotep Charter should be a force again. The Panthers have two great players back from last year’s team in 6-foot-2 senior Khyree Wooten and 6-foot-6 junior Brandon Austin. Andre Noble, Panthers head coach, will rely heavily on Wooten and Austin to provide the team with solid play in the backcourt as well as the frontcourt.

Jeremiah Worthem, a 6-foot-6 forward, will lead Math, Civics & Sciences up front. Worthem averaged 14.8 points a game last year. He will be a key player for MC&S head coach Danny Jackson, who also has another outstanding big man with 6-foot-6 forward Quentin Davis.

Constitution High School is loaded with talent. The Generals have 6-foot-2 senior Daiquan Walker, who happens to be one of the best shooting guards in the area. Walker averaged 16.2 points a game last year. He led Constitution to the Public League finals.

The Public League has some great individual players to watch throughout the season as well. Nadir Matthews, William Bodine High School for International Affairs, led the league in scoring last season. Matthews, a 5-foot-10 senior, averaged 26.7 points a game.

Maurice Watson, Boys’ Latin’s high scoring guard, averaged 22.9 points a game last season. Watson will play his college basketball at Boston University next year. The 5-foot-9 senior has scored 1,659 career points. He has chance to score more than 2,000 points before his scholastic playing days are over. In addition to Watson, Boys’ Latin has two great all-around players in Carlos Taylor and Yahmir Greenlee.

Mike Sturdivant should be a bright spot for Masterman. Sturdivant, a 5-foot-11 junior, averaged 24.9 points a game last year. Rysheed Jordan is one of the city’s most explosive players. Jordan averaged 16.1 points a game for Vaux last season.

In the Catholic League, Neumann-Goretti should be a force again. The Saints return 6-foot-5 senior Derrick Stewart, 6-foot-4 junior John Davis, 6-foot-3 sophomore Ja’Quan Newton and 5-foot- senior Billy Shank. Stewart, a terrific inside player, will play his college basketball at Rider University next season.

St. Joseph’s Prep should have a formidable team. The Prep has four starters returning with Gene Williams, Miles Overton, Steve Vasturia and Kevin Oberlies. Speedy Morris, St. Joseph’s Prep head coach, has a team with good versatility.

In the suburbs, Chester High remains a powerhouse in District One. The Clippers have 6-foot-4 guard Rondae Jefferson, who played a major role in helping Chester win the state crown last season. Larry Yarbray, Chester High head coach, also has 6-foot-4 forward Erikk Wright in the frontcourt.

Lower Merion and Penn Wood should have good teams as well. Both schools will be heard from during the season.

In the Inter-A League, Lynard Stewart will make his debut as the new head coach at Penn Charter. Stewart, former Simon Gratz and Temple basketball star, will put his stamp on the PC basketball program.

Malvern Prep should be a frontrunner in league competition. A year ago, they finished with a 24-7 record.

In the Friends League, everybody will have their eyes on Amile Jefferson, a 6-foot-8 forward, who plays for Friends’ Central. Jefferson is one of the country’s top high school players.  

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This is a big week for high school basketball in the Philadelphia area. The District 12 PIAA semifinals will be held on Tuesday, March 20 and Wednesday, March 21 for five of the city’s best teams. There will be a semifinal doubleheader at Southern High on Tuesday night.

In the first game, Constitution High (21-9) will battle Math, Civics & Sciences (19-9) at 6 p.m. Constitution has been playing great basketball. The Generals walked away with the Public League championship. Savon Goodman and Daiquan Walker are the key players for Constitution. Goodman, a 6-foot-7 senior, averages 27.5 points a game. He’s one of the most explosive players in the city. Walker is also a big time player. He averages 19.3 points a game. The 6-foot-2 senior averages 19.3 points a game. He was named MVP of the league championship game.

MC&S is the defending Class A state championship. Danny Jackson, MC&S head coach, has an impressive team, which features 6-foot-6 forward Jeremiah Worthem and 6-foot-4 guard Malik Starkes. Worthem is the team’s leading scorer. He averages 18.7 points a game. Starkes is capable of putting the ball in the basket. He averages 14.1 points a game.

In the second game, Neumann-Goretti (26-3) will battle Boys’ Latin (25-6). The tip-off will be at 7:30 p.m. Neumann-Goretti won its fourth consecutive Catholic League championship a month ago. The Saints edged St. Joseph’s Prep, 59-57, in an overtime thriller at the Palestra. After that game, N-G defeated Boys’ Latin, 66-57 for the Class AAA city title. A year ago, the Saints won the state championship.

They have some great players such as 6-foot-2 Ja’Quan Newton, 6-foot-4 John Davis and 6-foot-5 Derrick Stewart. Davis and Stewart have given N-G some dominate play around the basket. Newton is an exciting player in the open court. He averages 15.4 points a game. Davis tallies 13.6 points a game.

Maurice Watson, a 5-foot-9 senior, is Boys’ Latin’s leading scorer. Watson is the No. 2 scorer in city history with 2,338 career points. He recently moved past basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain on the all-time scoring list. Watson averages 22.2 points a game. He will be playing his college basketball at Boston University next season. Yahmir Greenlee plays in the backcourt with Watson. Greenlee, a 5-foot-9 standout, averages 13.6 points a game. Up front, Boys’ Latin has 6-foot-4 Carlos Taylor to provide some scoring inside and from the perimeter. Boys’ Latin lost to Constitution for the league title.

On Wednesday, Imhotep Charter will play Holy Cross at Bethlehem Liberty. The game begins at 7 p.m. Imhotep Charter is the defending PIAA Class AA champion. Andre Noble, Imhotep Charter head coach, has two outstanding players in 6-foot-2 senior Khyree Wooten and 6-foot-6 junior Brandon Austin. Wooten leads the team in scoring. He averages 15.6 points a game. Austin averages 10.6 points a game. Both players were solid contributors to last year’s state title team. Imhotep Charter is coming off a big 65-54 win over Bishop McDevitt. Austin had 24 points and 11 rebounds in that contest.

In a couple days, the state championship games should be set for this weekend.

Every team needs a leader. Andre Noble, Imhotep Charter head coach, has a good one in Khyree Wooten, a quiet leader. Wooten, a 6-foot-2 senior guard, just goes out and plays extremely hard every game. Imhotep Charter has a lot of young players on this year’s team. Wooten is one of the key players who helped Imhotep win the Public League and the PIAA Class AA state championship last season.

“He’s naturally a quiet kid,” Noble said. “So, he has to be a little more vocal for us. He’s a great leader for our young kids. Actually, Khyree and Brandon Austin (Imhotep Charter teammate) are the experienced players. They know what the youngsters need to do in order to be successful. They’re learning each day from them.”

Austin is a terrific player too. The 6-foot-6 guard/forward is a junior. He can handle the ball, play defense, pass and shoot from the outside. Austin and Wooten give Imhotep two players who can put the ball in the basket.

“I feel good about our team,” Wooten said. “We just have a group of young guys. We have to pick them up a little bit, but they can play. We’ll be all right. We just have to continue to work hard and stay together.”

Wooten has put in a lot of time on the court. His efforts have really paid off. He’s averaging 17.3 points a game. He was named one of the Most Valuable Players in the Philly vs. New York Classic game at Ben Franklin two weeks ago. He’s also getting close to breaking the 1,000-point mark. Right now, he has 880 career points.

“I’ve been working in the gym to get better,” Wooten said. “I just love being in the gym. I like to work hard. That’s where I am every day. I’m working on my jump shot and ballhanding. It feels good to have a chance to score 1,000 points. It means a lot. I’m in a league with other great Philadelphia basketball players.”

Wooten would like to play college basketball next season. He doesn’t know where he’s going to school. He still has time to make his decision.

“I would like to play Division I basketball,” he said. “I’ve gotten some looks. I just have to wait and see what happens.”

Noble feels Wooten has a great deal of potential on and off the court. He has watched him develop his basketball skills from last year to this year.

“Khyree has played some good basketball for us,” Noble said. “He does a lot of things for us on the court. He plays great defense. He can score and drive to the basket. He’s just a great kid. He’s a wonderful person. I’ve had a lot of kids here, but Khyree is one of my best. He’s done very well.”

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The city championship game between Imhotep Charter and Neumann-Goretti will be loaded with stars. Ja’Quan Newton, Neumann-Goretti’s high scoring guard, is one of them. Newton, a 6-foot-3, 175-pound junior, is coming off a spectacular performance in leading Neumann-Goretti to its fifth consecutive Catholic League championship over St. Joseph’s Prep, 60-42, at the Palestra on Monday night.

He had 27 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field and had six rebounds in one of the season’s biggest games. Well, Newton will be in another big game on Friday night, when Neumann Goretti faces Imhotep Charter in the second game of a city title (AAA) doubleheader at Saint Joseph’s Hagan Arena. In the first game, Roman Catholic will face Martin Luther King (AAAA) at 7 p.m.

“It feels good to win the championship,” Newton said. “I think this is the best one ever. It feels great. I have some great teammates. They all can make plays.”

Newton is right. He does have some good teammates like 6-foot-7 senior forward John Davis, 6-foot-1 sophomore guard Lamarr Kimble, 6-foot-5 junior forward Tony Toplyn and 5-foot-9 senior guard Hanif Sutton.

Although he’s surrounded by good players, Newton has been the player who has made the three-point shots from distance, the amazing shots going to the basket, and the exciting plays in the open court. Carl Arrigale, Neumann-Goretti head coach, has seen Newton perform at this level throughout his career.

“Great players make great plays,” Arrigale said. “He plays well here. He plays well in big games. The guy is a great player. He’s a better shooter than you think. He just gets to the basket with so much ease that he just doesn’t shoot a lot.”

Imhotep Charter has some magnificent players such as 6-foot-6 senior forward Brandon Austin, 6-foot-6 junior forward Basil Thompson, 6-foot-6 senior forward Jalil Myers, 6-foot-6 senior forward Nigel Grant and 5-foot-11 senior Abraham Massaley. Austin was sensational in leading Imhotep Charter to the Public League title. He had 23 points, seven rebounds and six assists. He was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. He had to battle Rysheed Jordan from Vaux who scored 45 points in a losing effort. Austin will play his college basketball at Providence.

Davis, Neumann-Goretti standout, will be headed to Towson University. Newton is a major Division I prospect. At any rate, the city has seen three great players showcase their skills in brilliant fashion this past week with possibly more to come.

“We’re all great players who are trying to get to the same place,” Newton said. “We all have bright futures.”

There’s question about that.

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There could be a representative from the Philadelphia area in the McDonald’s All American game. There are several local players that have been nominated to play in this prestigious high school basketball game, which features the top players in the nation.

Rondae Jefferson, Chester High’s 6-foot-7 senior, heads the lists of scholastic standouts from the Delaware Valley. Jefferson will play his college basketball at the University of Arizona next season. Rysheed Jordan, Vaux High’s 6-foot-4 senior, leads the Public League in scoring. Jordan averages 24.0 points a game. Jordan is being recruited by UCLA, Temple and St. John’s.

Jefferson and Jordan are joined by Brandon Austin (Imhotep Charter), John Davis (Neumann-Goretti), Quadir Welton (Math, Civics & Sciences), Miles Overton (St. Joseph’s Prep), Stephen Vasturia (St. Joseph’s Prep), Jai Williams, (Philadelphia Electric Charter School), Quadir Welton (Math, Civics & Sciences), Julian Moore (Germantown Academy), Yosef Yacob (Archbishop Carroll), B.J. Johnson (Lower Merion), Greg Dotson (Germantown Academy) and Amar Stukes (La Salle).

A complete list of McDonald’s All American Game nominees is available at www.mcdaag.com. The final roster of 24 boys who will be selected to play in the game will be announced during the McDonald’s All American Games Selection Show on ESPNU on Feb. 14 at 5 p.m. The game will be played on April 3 at 9:30 p.m. from Chicago’s United Center and will be broadcast on ESPN.

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Brandon Austin has played some big time basketball in his scholastic career at Imhotep Charter. Austin, a 6-foot-6, 180-pound senior, had to play some great basketball in order to hold off Roberts Vaux and its outstanding player Rysheed Jordan to post a 67-66 victory to help Imhotep Charter capture the Public League championship.

Austin had 23 points, seven rebounds and six assists. He was named the game’s Most Valuable Player for his efforts. He needed a game like this especially with Jordan scorching the Panthers for a game high 45 points. Austin needed some help from his teammates as well because he fouled out with 45 seconds remaining in the game.

“I believe in my team,” Austin said. “My team was there. We had each other coming down the stretch. So, this is a blessing from God. I was pretty nervous because Vaux is a very good team in closing games out. He’s (Rysheed Jordan) a very good player. We’re good friends. It was just a good game out there. It feels good to be back out there on top as a champion.”

Jordan was nothing short of spectacular. He knocked down 21-for-23 shots from the free throw line. But it seemed like whenever the game was on the line, Jordan delivered with a clutch shot, including a 26 foot three point shot down the stretch. Jordan, a 6-foot-3 senior, will make his college decision in the spring. His final three choices are UCLA, Temple and St. John’s.

Austin will be playing Division I basketball at Providence. He’s certainly one of the best players in the Philadelphia area. His teammates aren’t too shabby either. Abraham Massaley, a 5-foot-10, 160-pound point guard, scored the winning basket. Massaley had seven points including some crucial foul shots. Deryl Bagwell was the team’s second leading scorer with 15 points. Basil Thompson had nine points and nine rebounds.

“Everybody contributed (to the championship),” Austin said. “I trusted my team. Now, we got the ball back and the championship. That’s all it is. It’s the team.”

Andre Noble, Imhotep Charter head coach, has watched Austin develop over his scholastic career. Of course, Austin had one of the biggest shots of the game. He made a 23-foot three-pointer that banked in off the glass. It was one of many big shots by the Panthers.

“He’s made a lot of big shots obviously in his career,” Noble said. “But he got a lot of help from his teammates. I’m really proud of them.”

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There were a number of great basketball players in the Public League this season. The coaches’ All-Public League team certainly reflected that. The coaches selected the top players in each division.

They picked five players on each team as well as honorable mention. Rysheed Jordan, a 6-foot-3 senior, led Roberts Vaux High School to the league championship before losing to Imhotep Charter. He had an amazing 45 points that game in a losing effort. However, he was able to lead Vaux to the PIAA Class A state championship. Jordan should be making his college announcement soon. His final three choices are UCLA, Temple and St. John’s.

Brandon Austin, Imhotep Charter standout, helped his school win a league and a state championship. Imhotep Charter won the Class AAA title. Austin, a 6-foot-6 senior, will play his college basketball for Providence College next season.

The Public League will hold its 38th annual all-star event at Ben Franklin High School Tuesday April 2 at 5 p.m. The game will feature the league’s top seniors with two preliminary games and featured all-star game.

Division A

First Team: Rysheed Jordan, Vaux, 6-4, senior; Brandon Austin, Imhotep, 6-7, senior; Jeremiah Worthem, Math, Civics & Sciences, 6-7, senior; Hakeem Baxter, Philadelphia Electrical Technology, 6-2, senior; David Johnson, Communications Tech, 5-11, senior.

Second Team: Mustapha Traore, Prep Charter, 6-8, junior; Yahmir Greenlee, Boys’ Latin, 5-8, senior; Samir Doughty, Communications Tech, 6-3, sophomore; Ahmad Gilbert, Constitution, 6-5, senior.

Third Team: Jai Williams, Philadelphia Electrical Technology, 6-9, senior; Britton Lee, Math, Civics & Sciences, 5-11, senior; Quadir Welton, Math, Civics & Sciences, 6-8, senior; Basil Thompson, Imhotep, 6-6, senior; Malik Noel, Bartram, 6-0, senior.

Honorable Mention: Sammy Foreman, Vaux, sophomore; Kimar Williams, Constitution, sophomore; Khayri Washington, Bartram, senior; Amir Butler, Vaux, senior; Terrence Brown, Communications Tech, senior.

Division B

First Team: Jahyde Gardiner(MVP), Freire, 6-5, senior; Danil Mateo, Fels, 5-9, senior; Donavan Barnes, Strawberry Mansion, 5-9, sophomore; Dache Talbert, Sankova, 5-8, senior.

Second Team: Donte’ Winfield, Simon Gratz, 5-11, senior; Devante Truitt, George Washington, 6-1, sophomore; Nisiar Smith, Franklin Learning Center, 6-4, senior; Anthony Wright-Downing, Sanfoka, 6-2, junior; Ralik Wise, Southern, 6-5, senior.

Third Team: Stanley Whittaker, Esperanza, 5-10, senior; Shahid Adams, Freire, 6-2, junior; Shakore Taylor, Engineering & Science, 6-0, senior; Jihaad Fluellen, Paul Robeson, 6-2, junior; Jaleel Parlin, West Philadelphia, 5-10, senior.

Honorable Mention: LeRon Epps, Paul Robeson, junior; Brandon Jiles, Strawberry Mansion, senior; Alwell Agbara, Esperanza, senior; DJ Alexander, Simon Gratz, Ravi Sinanan, Esperanza, senior.

Division C

First Team: Fa’Teem Glenn (MVP), Martin Luther King, 5-9, senior; De’Andre Williams, Northeast, 5-10, senior; Raquan Brown-Johnson, Martin Luther King, 6-5, senior; Mike Sturdivant, Masterman, 5-11, senior; Shakeem Stevens, Olney, 6-0, senior.

Second Team: Gary Bryant, Masterman, 6-1, senior; Kyle Lafferty, Central, 6-1, senior; Quadir Nock, Audenried, 5-10, senior; Charles Brown, Olney, 5-10, senior; Shakoor Woodson, Martin Luther King, 6-2, senior.

Third Team: Emmanuel Young, Ben Franklin, 6-5, senior; Adonis Rosario, Lincoln, 6-3, senior; Imir Bailey, Germantown, 6-3, senior; Kahlil Williams, Central, 6-2, sophomore; Jack Christmas, Masterman, 6-5, senior.

Honorable Mention: Gregory Bennett, Martin Luther King, junior; James Harrison, Overbrook, senior; Tyheim Monroe, Olney, junior; Daquan Bohannan, Northeast, senior; Thomas Thompkins, Audenried, senior.

Division D

First Team: Jamie Betancourt (MVP), Kensington, 6-1, senior; Amir Davis, Palmer, 6-0, senior; Jameal Tucker, Palumbo, 6-6, senior; Malachi Thompson, Palmer, 6-3, junior; Antwan James, Sayre, 6-4, junior.

Second Team: D’Andre Parmley, Swenson, 6-2, senior; Jamir Leach, Mastery South, 6-1, senior; Anthony Fagan, Lamberton, 5-11, senior; Deontae Richardson, Randolph, 6-0, senior; Shafi Meachum, Palumbo, 5-10, sophomore.

Third Team: Anthony Harris, Mastbaum, 6-1, junior; Kevin Cooper, Lamberton, 5-10, senior; Julius VanGuine, Kensington, 5-11, senior; Montrell Gilliam, Edison, 5-10, sophomore; Richard Burton, Sayre, 6-2, senior.

Honorable Mention: Qadir Wilson, Sayre, senior; Maurice Hayward, Mastery South, senior; Steven Smith, Franklin Towne, senior; Aaron Searight, World Communications, senior; Jason Hutzler, Bracetti, senior.

Division E

First Team: Tobias Stokes (MVP), Girard Academic Music Program, 5-10, senior; Joseph Walker, Bodine, 6-4, junior; Ikeal Johnson, Elverson, 6-2, senior; Jamier Cross, Carroll, 6-0, senior; Josue Falu, Carroll, 6-1, senior.

Second Team: Dominick Morales, School of the Future, 6-2, sophomore; Joe Flynn, Philadelphia Academy Charter, 6-0, senior; Basheer Hairston, Douglas, 5-10, senior; Devin Bullock, New Media, 5-10, senior; Mikhail Wilson, Girard Academic Music Program, 6-6, senior.

Third Team: Jakobi Martin-Howard, Science Leadership, 5-10, senior; Atwo Osis, Elverson, 6-1, senior; Jeffrey Williford, Girard Academic Music Program, 5-11, junior; Sahlil Harris, Bodine, 6-0, senior; Kahlil Laws, Philadelphia Academy Charter, 5-9, senior.

Honorable Mention: John Fieffe, New Media, junior; Jamiel Hines, Philadelphia Academy Charter, senior; Shaun Reed, Parkway Northwest, senior; Syr Munoz, Rush, senior; Muhammad Laws, Philadelphia Academy Charter, junior.

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It’s been a big year for Imhotep Charter’s Brandon Austin. He has already selected a college for next year. Austin will play for Providence. He also topped the 1,000-point mark while helping Imhotep Charter defeat Communications Tech, 66-40, to reach the Public League finals. The 6-foot-6, 180-pound senior, has 1,008 career points after scoring 18 points against Communications Tech.

Imhotep Charter will face Vaux High School in the league championship game on Sunday at 3 p.m. The game will be played at the Liacouras Center. Vaux defeated Martin Luther King, 71-68, to earn a spot in the finals. Despite his latest personal milestone, Austin has his eyes set on the title game.

“I knew I was 10 points away, but I wasn’t really just trying to come out and get it,” Austin said. “I just wanted to get the win. It’s a good feeling to get the 1,000 points, but I want to win the championship on Sunday. It won’t be any better feeling than that.”

Imhotep Charter has been one of the best teams in the city. Actually, it has been one of the best in the PIAA. The school has won public, city and state championships over the recent years. A year ago, Imhotep Charter was eliminated from the league championship game. Now, it has a chance to play for league crown again.

“It feels great because last year we were knocked out,” Austin said. “So, we came back strong this year and now we’ve got to go perform on Sunday.”

Austin is a huge star. He’s one of the best players in the Philadelphia area. In addition to Austin, Imhotep Charter has received some great play from Basil Thompson, a 6-foot-6 junior forward.

“He’s a very good young talent,” Austin said of Thompson. “He’s going to be strong for the next year. But this year he’s been strong. He’s developed tremendously since I’ve known him. He’s coming along good.”

Austin and Thompson will be two key players to watch in the championship game.

NOTES: Central will face Prep Charter for the girls Public League championship on Sunday at 1 p.m. The game will precede the boys’ championship contest.  

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