Alex Kelsey-Exeter

Exeter junior guard Alex Kelsey gave a brief, but accurate description of Imhotep Charter’s basketball team. “They have no weaknesses at all. It’s ridiculous,” said Kelsey. The (30-3) Panthers rolled over the Eagles 78-40 in the PIAA-5A championship. Exeter was making its second trip to the state final and first since 1974. Imhotep won its ninth PIAA title. The District 12 champs captured state gold for the second year in a row. The Panthers scored the first six points and raced out to an early 12-2 advantage. The Eagles committed seven turnovers in the first eight minutes and trailed 16-6. Justin Edwards, a 6’7 forward who’s committed to Kentucky, had five of his game-high 16 points in the opening quarter. Wildcats’ head coach John Calipari was in the front row at the Giant Center. Edwards is the #1 ranked player in the Class of 2023, according to ESPN. He pulled down seven rebounds and finished an alley-oop dunk in the third quarter. “It’s just so smooth. He gets to his spot and destroys us, destroys everybody,” remarked Kelsey. Imhotep jammed 27 points into the second period and led 43-21 at the break. The Panthers shot 5-12 from beyond the arc in the first half while the Eagles were 1-10. Imhotep was in front 65-36 entering the fourth quarter. The Panthers shot 58% from the field and outscored Exeter 18-to-2 in fast break points. They showed why they’re #11 in the ESPN Top 25 poll this week. Rahmir Barno dropped 15 points. The senior guard is headed to Division I Florida Gulf Coast. Ahmad Nowell chipped in with a dozen points. The 6’2 junior has offers from Kansas, Tennessee, Auburn, and Memphis. Imhotep coach Andre Noble improved to (472-99) over 19 seasons. Kelsey, Anthony Caccese, and Kevin Saenz had ten points apiece for the (27-7) Eagles. They had won 17 of their previous 18 games before Friday’s contest. Exeter earned its first District 3 championship this year. Kelsey thanked the seniors for their leadership. He replied, “I love them all, and I love Zyion especially. I’ve been behind him for four years, learning everything from him.” Zyion Paschall and Caccese both received all-county honors this season. It wasn’t the ending that the Eagles wanted, but it was one heck of a ride for a team that went (13-15) last year. They created a lot of memories for the fans in Reiffton.