We continue our 2013-14 team previews with an in-depth look at Math, Civics & Sciences of Philadelphia, a state semifinalist last season with a roster strong enough to be Pennsylvania’s best. Throughout October, we’ll preview many of the top teams from across the country as a countdown to the release of our preseason 2013-14 Student Sports FAB 50.
Note: All information that follows came from a questionnaire that was sent to and returned by the school’s head coach. If you would like your school to be profiled, please return the questionnaire that was mailed out earlier this month or it can be filled out online.
The information can also be emailed to editor Ronnie Flores: ronnie@studentsports.com. StudentSportsBasketball.com thanks the programs that have submitted information.
Team Name: Math, Civics & Sciences Charter (Philadelphia)
Head Coach: Dan Jackson (153-49)
2012-13 Record: 26-3, 13-1 (J.V.)
Final Ranking: NA
Returning Starters: 1
Returning Lettermen: 5
Players Most Deserving of Preseason Honors: SG Lou Myers 6-2 2014 (Norfolk State commit), SF Nazeer Bostick 6-4 2016, SF Terquin “Buddha” Mott 6-6 2016.
Newcomers Who Could Make An Impact: PF Mike Watkins 6-9 2015 (Penn State commit), PG Samir Doughty 6-4 2015 (No. 96 Hoop Scoop Top 100), PF Sophaun Brown 6-10 2015, PG Donovan Barnes 5-10 2015.
Coach’s General Outlook: I like our team because we have size and depth up front and good speed in the backcourt. We lost quite a few seniors off a team that made the state semifinals, but we do have plenty of talented players to replace them. The main concern I have is our lack of experience because we have new players. Despite that concern, we have the talent to be a top 25 team.
Events Scheduled To Play In: Montverde Academy Tournament (Montverde, Fla.), Stop DWI Holiday Classic (Binghamton, N.Y.), 7th Annual Villa Classic (Philadelphia vs. NYC).
Team(s) On Schedule Deserving of Ranking: Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md.), Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.), Coolidge (Washington, D.C.).
StudentSportsBasketball.com Comments: The Mighty Elephants have become a major factor on Philly’s hoop scene the last two years. The program is less than ten years old and last year produced its first D1 prospects — Jeremiah “Lump” Worthem and Britton Lee (Robert Morris) and Quadir Welton (St. Peter’s). In fact, Math, Civics and Sciences graduated seven of its top nine scorers, but the two returnees (Myers and Bostick) are going to play D1 ball and an influx of talent has the Mighty Elephants’ coaching staff thinking PIAA state title. Watkins and Brown gives MCS plenty of size to deal with the stronger teams on its schedule and Doughty could be one of the state’s top players by the end of the season. According to assistant coach Lonnie Diggs, it’s just a matter of jelling and buying in because so many talented players were not part of the program last season. The Mighty Elephants are going to have to find someone to step up and hit the clutch shots that Worthem and Lee did last season if they are going to make a run at the state title and a high national ranking.
Fast Fact: Last season, Math, Civics, and Sciences only lost to one in-state team — Vaux (Philadelphia), which went on to win the PIAA Class A state title. The Mighty Elephants did beat them once (74-70), but also lost by a point (62-61) in the second regular season game before losing to the same club 83-66 in the state semifinals. Vaux closed its doors at the end of the 2013 school year.
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RELATED: FAB 50 Consideration Form
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