The impending closure of Math, Civics and Sciences High School casts a poignant shadow over Philadelphia’s storied basketball landscape. In a city where the game is more than a pastime but a cultural cornerstone, the loss of the Mighty Elephant program resonates deeply.
The Philadelphia Public League has a long and distinguished basketball tradition. The city game has been the core of scholastic sports in Philadelphia for 125 years. Over the course of the first 100 years, traditional high schools West Philadelphia, Overbrook, Southern, Central and Gratz captured 79 boys basketball championships.
Then shit changed…
The narrative shifted dramatically with the rise of charter schools. Dan Brinkley and Prep Charter ushered in a new era in 2007, forever altering the competitive landscape. Since then, traditional powerhouses have found themselves grappling with the influx of charters, drawing talent from across the city and beyond.
A few traditional high schools have managed to win a single Public League title in the Charter era. Lou Biester triumphed with Communication Tech in 2008, Rob Moore and Constitution’s reigned supreme in 2012, and Sean Colson and Martin L. King, Jr. sat on the throne in 2014.
Other than those isolated seasons, Charters have ruled the roost. Indeed, Imhotep has emerged as a prominent national power. This weekend, Andre Noble’s Panthers will capture, what seems like, their 383rd Public League Championship. Noble has shaped the Charter era landscape. He is akin to a Public League version of John Wooden
As the current season unfolds, anticipation hangs heavy over the Public League playoffs, with Imhotep poised to clinch yet another title. However, amidst the fervor of competition lies a bittersweet moment as the basketball community prepares to bid farewell to Math, Civics and Sciences High School.
In February 2020, led by the exceptional Wooga Poplar, MCS secured the Public League Championship, a testament to their prowess on the court. The Mighty Elephants have served as a bastion of excellence, producing a cadre of standout players who could have chosen any program but opted for MCS.
Here is a list of some of the outstanding performers that have donned the Mighty Elephant uniform over the past quarter century:
Wooga Poplar
Samir Doughty
Mike Watkins
Lump Worthem
Malik Starkes
Quadir Welton
Britton Lee
Lou Myers, Jr.
Terquin Mott, Jr.
Thomas Moore
Kwahmere Gredic
Zaahir Smith
Jose Ortiz
Eric Johnson
From Poplar to Doughty, Watkins to Starkes, the list reads like a who’s who of Philadelphia basketball talent, each name leaving an indelible mark on the game. Their legacy transcends mere statistics, enriching the city’s basketball tapestry with their skill and dedication.
As we bid adieu to Math, Civics and Sciences High School, we also bid farewell to a proud institution steeped in tradition. Their absence will be keenly felt, a void in the tapestry of Philadelphia basketball that may never be fully filled. Yet, amidst the lament, we celebrate the legacy they leave behind and the countless lives they’ve touched through the sport they loved.
The Black Cager 