IMANI CHRISTIAN WINS THE STATE TITLE!
Ranked as the top team in WPIAL Class 1A all season, Imani Christian Academy won their first state title last month. The school is the second smallest in WPIAL boys basketball, but the team is anchored by 6’9” Virgil Hall and 6’11” Alier Maluk. Imani lost to #2 Union in the semifinals last season, but this time around realized that, “Revenge is a meal best served cold!”
Union was trying to win its 3rd WPIAL championship in the past 10 months following titles in football and baseball. But Imani’s defense would have the outcome change directions. After a sluggish first half, Coach Omar Foster got up close and personal with his team and reminded them that as the #1 seed they had to get things together and right now. When the “D” arrived, Union went scoreless for nearly five minutes, and Imani capitalized with 16 consecutive points for a 64-41 championship victory.
Then Imani went out and dominated in the PIAA state playoffs, culminating with an 81-64 victory on March 23 against Berlin Brothersvalley.
“Small in size . . . mighty otherwise!” is most fitting for this smaller-by-the-numbers school tucked away in East Hills. And to connect the always-present dots that basketball gives ya, the school sits above the hoop courts that formerly hosted the nationally recognized Connie Hawkins NCAA/Pro-Am Summer Basketball League…one of the league’s all-time great players was recognized as the Hazelwood Heat! A lightning quick left-hand guard that took no nonsense and no prisoners at a time when the world watched the “Heat in the Street” played on asphalt in every major city in America…that man was Frank Foster, the father of Coach Omar Foster! You understand now even better than you did before you picked up your Pittsburgh Courier. It’s true what they say, “The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree,” and in this case, “Champions aren’t born, they’re made.”
The same championship spirit that delivered the ring for Frank Foster and the fellas from Hazelwood was born again through his son Omar at the Petersen Events Center AND MAN WAS THAT APPLE SWEET!!! And it transferred to the Giant Center in Hershey for the state championship!
Congratulations to Imani Christian Academy for winning the Class 1A title and the state title, but also for all that this well-loved and greatly needed institution has stood for all these years and how they continue to showcase and give back against all odds with their heads held high and unapologetic for their talent, sacrifices and determination. A slam dunk for the school, founding fathers, administration, coaching staff and player. Moving forward, words are no longer needed…just flash the ring!
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