Jan 15, 2005 By The Associated Press 5 min read

When the Philadelphia Public League joined the PIAA, there was a misconception that all the league’s basketball teams would compete in Class AAAA once they were eligible for postseason play this season. That won’t be the case. When the PIAA boys basketball playoffs begin, District 12 (Philadelphia) will have four teams in Class AAAA, one in Class AAA and three in Class AA.

Franklin Learning Center, a longtime Philadelphia power, could very well be one of those Class AA teams.

“We’ve talked about trying to win a state championship,” coach Cedric Powell said. “We’re young, so I don’t know if that’s possible. But that’s one of our goals.”

Franklin Learning Center is in the Public League’s C Division. In the past, it has competed against much larger schools and more than held its own. It won the Public League title in 1992 and again in 1994, although it had to forfeit the 1994 crown because it used an ineligible player.

Last season, Franklin Learning Center was 20-4 and went to the league’s quarterfinals. The year before that, it advanced to the semifinals.

“I don’t know if I like us playing the smaller schools,” said Powell, who is in his sixth season as coach. “It might be good this season because we are so young, but we’ll have to look at that. We’ve always been competitive no matter who we played.”

Franklin Learning Center is 11-5 and ranked No. 6 in Class AA by the Patriot-News. Philadelphia Penn Charter is ranked No. 4, but Franklin Learning Center defeated Penn Charter 72-66 in two overtimes just before Christmas.

Powell starts two sophomores in 6-foot-7 Dante Wooten and 6-2 point guard Malcolm Eleby. There are just two seniors on the roster – 6-6 forward Denis Delli and 6-4 forward William Logan – and both start. The other starter is 6-foot junior Brandon Williams.

“We don’t have anybody who scores a lot of points,” Powell said. “Malcolm and Brandon Williams were both averaging about 16 a game, but Malcolm was sick and played a game where he didn’t score. We rely more on defense.”

Three of Franklin Learning Center’s five losses are to Class AAAA teams. Another was to Ballard, Ky., in a holiday tournament; the other was to Masterman in the Public League’s C Division.

Eleby and Wooten have a chance to be outstanding before their high school careers are done, according to their coach.

“Dante is raw but he could end up being 6-10 or 6-11. He’s a good athlete with a long body,” Powell said. “Malcolm is a lefty and is just learning the point guard spot.”

CHANGE OF PLANS: Conwell-Egan running back Steve Slaton has made a verbal commitment to West Virginia. Slaton, who is 5-11 and 190 pounds, is the third leading rusher in Philadelphia high school history with 5,998 yards. He rushed for 1,832 yards last season.

Slaton has been timed at 4.34 seconds in the 40-yard dash and is listed as the 11th best cornerback prospect in the country by a scouting service. He will be given a chance to play running back at West Virginia.

He had previously committed to Maryland, but said in October that he would look at other schools. North Carolina was also interested.

PITT RECRUIT: Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt has received a verbal commitment from Pittsburgh Central Catholic quarterback Shane Murray, who guided the Vikings to the PIAA Class AAAA title.

Murray (6-2, 193) completed 88 of 176 passes for 1,485 yards and 20 touchdowns and was outstanding on defense. He was also considering offers from Connecticut, Hofstra and Richmond.

ALL-AMERICAN BOWL: Two Pennsylvania players are on the East roster for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl today at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

Gateway High School’s Justin King is a defensive back for the East, while Marques Slocum of Philadelphia West Catholic is an offensive lineman. King’s high school coach, Terry Smith, is one of the East’s assistant coaches.

The contest will be televised at 1 p.m. by NBC.

BIG 33 COACHES: West Allegheny coach Bob Palko has been selected as Pennsylvania’s coach for the Big 33 all-star game in Hershey. Palko was an assistant coach on the 2002 Big 33 team that was headed by Berwick coach George Curry.

Palko’s staff for the annual game against Ohio includes Jeff Metheny of Bethel Park, Tom Loughran of South Park, Dick Beck of North Penn, Mark Evans of Elco and Rick Mauck of Northern.

Pennsylvania has lost the past two Big 33 games, with Ohio winning 34-30 last year and 38-7 in 2003. This year’s game will be played July 23.

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MILESTONE: North Penn basketball coach Mike Fergus gained his 400th career victory with a 70-63 victory over rival Lansdale Catholic on New Year’s Eve. Fergus got his 400th not long after Monessen coach Joe Salvino did so on the other side of the state. Fergus has been a high school for 28 years in Texas and Pennsylvania.

Fergus’ leading scorer in the victory was senior point guard Jay Seipt, who scored 19 points. He was listed as 5-foot-2 last season, but now says he is 5-5.

AP-ES-01-12-05 1456EST