Division A, already being termed the Super Division, sports 12 teams, and it's likely three of the four from AAAA, if not all, will finish toward the bottom.
Come playoff time, the teams will be separated by classification and one apiece from AAAA, AAA, AA and A will advance to the overall semis.
So, which team deserves to be called the Pub's very best?
Not a gimme, folks.
Imhotep Charter, the three-time defending Pub champion and the 2011 state AA kingpin, as well, returns only two members of its nine-man rotation (starter Brandon Austin, sixth man Khyree Wooten). But the transfer winds have been ever-forceful, and these guys will be formidable.
In Class A, Math, Civics & Sciences Charter, another defending state champ, returns starter Jeremiah Worthem and key subs Quentin Davis and Jeffon Powell. And, hey, what do you know, good youngsters from Olney, Prep Charter and Roman Catholic just happened to transfer there. The Mighty Elephants' battle-royale foe will be Constitution, which had one tremendous senior (Daiquan Walker) and, likewise, just happened to pick up another (Savon Goodman, Academy of the New Church).
There also figures to be a classic two-dog fight in AAA, featuring Boys' Latin Charter and Philadelphia Electrical & Technology Charter.
BL mainly looks to Boston U. commit Maurice Watson Jr., a brassy guard who has a good chance to replace Wilt Chamberlain (2,206 for Overbrook, class of '55) at the No. 2 spot on the city's career scoring list. Strawberry Mansion's Maureece Rice (2,681), an '03 grad, is thinking he's safe at No. 1. Frontcourter Carlos Taylor (UMass-Lowell) and guard Yahmir Greenlee are also quality.
PET relies heavily on semi-Twin Towers Jai Williams (6-9) and David George (6-8), while guard Hakeem Baxter is poised for a bust-out season.
AAAA promises to be an uncompelling mish-mash. Blame the charters for that.
