Before He Fathered a Star Athlete . . .

As you can imagine, some of the players now starring for city leagues' teams are the sons of
guys who also starred. Since I'm ancient (smile), I wrote stories about them during their high
school careers.
We hope you enjoy this feature (a takeoff of Before They Drew X's and O's).
Would you like to see a story about someone who starred in the Public, Catholic or Inter-Ac
leagues and now has a son doing likewise (assuming I did one on him)? Send me a note at
tedtee307@yahoo.com.

Thanks,
Ted

This story concerns forward Phil Booth, a star player for Northeast
High in the 1984-85 season. Phil later starred at Coppin State (with a
bunch of other Philly guys). His son, also named Phil, committed to
Villanova in late July 2013 and played a prominent role (20 points) on
April 4, 2016, as the Wildcats beat North Carolina, 77-74, to win the
NCAA National Championship. Young Phil starred for Mount Saint
Joseph, a member of Baltimore's version of the Catholic League.

BOOTH'S BOXED IN BUT STILL CAN MAKE WAY TO THE BASKET

Feb 01, 1985

By TED SILARY, Daily News Sports Writer

Phil Booth would beg to differ with those folks, notably baseball general managers, who have been known to maintain that a team can add by subtracting.

Being able to spend a carefree season on the wing was in Booth's prayers as winter approached at Northeast . Then, 6-4 bruiser Tom Davis found himself being bounced out of school, later to surface at Olney, and Booth, who also goes 6-4 but is much closer to slender than stout, had to make an adjustment.

No problems. At least, not many, when you consider that Booth has gone from roaming the wing to operating within the confines of a space not much bigger than a phone booth.

With a 22-point average, figuring in yesterday's 21-point effort (also 17 rebounds) in a 64-49 win over visiting Olney, Booth ranks among the Top 10 Public League scorers. He's also receiving solid interest from a number of Division II schools and a smattering from Division I.

"If Tom were still here, I wouldn't be averaging as many points," Booth said. "And, when you look at it, we probably would have had a better chance in our two losses, to Franklin and Southern.

"When we heard about Tom (leaving Northeast ), we were frantic. It was like, 'Tom's gone! Oh, no! ' When you lose a Tom Davis, you lose a lot. As strong as he is, I wouldn't have had to go down low too much. I could have played further outside and been more particular about my shots. I could have worked a little more on what will help me for college. "

Booth starts each game at forward, but he remains there only as long as 6-5 Shawn Miller can stay out of foul trouble. Even so, Miller is a might raw to be depended upon as a glass-sweeping force.

What that means for Booth is a one-way ticket to the land of the giants.

"I've always been skinny, lanky, whatever," he said, laughing. "People used to take advantage of me down low. I hit the weights to improve my upper body a little and also to improve my legs. With my jumping ability, I feel I can slam on anybody.

"At this size, a guy has to play with his mind more than his body. The body isn't enough. "

Phil Booth found that his genes had partially failed him as early as two years ago, when he terminated his football career after playing tight end and defensive end for the Vikings' JV football team.

Beforehand, he'd played center for various Northwest Raiders weight teams.

"I didn't play basketball until ninth grade," Phil said. "Football seemed more important. But then I decided, this body ain't built for no football. "

Aside from being a good leaper, Booth is also a quick leaper. Never underestimate that quality in a league where any shot launched within 5 feet of the basket is liable to be swatted to the fifth row, or higher.

Booth also possesses the uncanny ability to, when necessary, lean slightly backward on his jumper, making it harder to block. Good defense? He plays it. Good ballhandling? He plans to develop it.

Slippery Rock, East Stroudsburg and Mansfield have been the most prominent Division II schools to talk to Booth. Yesterday, the eyes of a scout from Spring Garden were seen to light up and even a man from Drexel popped in, just to touch base.

"Phil's playing with more intensity than he used to," said coach Bill Sheppard. "He's more mature, both on and off the court. His shooting has really improved. He was probably our worst foul shooter last year, but now he has a nice little touch.

"He can certainly play Division III, he'd probably be good at II and maybe he could play at a small I."

Says Booth: "It doesn't matter to me as long as I play. I wouldn't want to sit on the bench for four years. "

The Vikings' only other double-figures scorer in a game that, if bottled, could spell trouble for Sominex, was guard Mike Rios, who has come out of nowhere after playing JV as a junior. The long-legged Rios, a good penetrator and long-range bombardier, accumulated 17 points, 4 assists and 5 steals.

"We call him 'Unconscious,' " Booth said. "He almost shoots from out of bounds. But when he hits, he can shoot all day. "

Olney, which always sports one, two or even three jump-shootin' fools, has nary a one this time around. With no one to loosen things up from the outside, opponents are able to hold Davis (10 points, 10 rebounds) to as few as 10 shots from the field.

As for Phil Booth , the four walls have been closed in around him for two months now, but he's continued to thrive.