Gillis, a 17-year-old from the West Oak Lane section of Philadelphia, netted seven of his 12 points in the fourth quarter

Academy of the New Church’s Big Three – 6-foot-9 Rakeem Christmas, 6-5 Savon Goodman and 6-11 Malcolm Gilbert – deservedly get plenty of attention from foes.

Playing in the background and usually under the radar, senior combination guard Warren Gillis, with his smooth ballhandling skills and fluid moves, is just as important to the team’s success.

Yesterday in the 11th annual Kobe Bryant/Philly.com/Rally Classic at Archbishop Carroll, Gillis turned in another solid all-around performance as the Lions notched a 62-54 victory over Philadelphia Public League power Imhotep Charter.

Alternating between the wing and point positions, the 6-2, 195-pounder delivered 12 points, six assists, five rebounds, and five steals for the defending Friends Schools League champions.

“I try to do a little bit of everything,” Gillis said. “We have a lot of scorers, so that’s not something really needed of me. I usually focus on other things.”

Gillis, a 17-year-old from the West Oak Lane section of Philadelphia, netted seven of his 12 points in the fourth quarter. Overall, he shot 3 for 6 from the field (1 for 1 from three-point territory) and 5 for 6 from the free-throw line.

“He’s our all-purpose guy,” ANC coach Kevin Givens said. “He can penetrate, light it up from the outside, and he’s a very good defender.”

Gillis played a similar role on ANC’s football team, serving as a fleet-footed wide receiver and cornerback. He finished his career with 38 total touchdowns. “I love football and it gets me in good shape for basketball,” he said.

Against Imhotep, Christmas, a junior forward and Division I recruit, posted 21 points, 12 rebounds (three on offense), and two blocked shots. The North Catholic transfer was selected as the Lions’ most valuable player.

At the end of the second quarter, when ANC began pulling away from the Panthers, Christmas ignited a 12-1 run with four buckets, including back-to-back dunks.

“I thought he played really well for all four quarters,” Givens said. “We really needed him to come and play hard today, and he did. We made a concerted effort to get the ball inside to him.”

For the 9-4 Lions, Goodman, a swingman, added 11 points and five rebounds. Gilbert provided nine points, seven boards (three on offense), and two blocks.

The Panthers (11-2) trailed, 28-18, at intermission and were down, 35-20, when Gillis buried a right-wing trey with 6 minutes, 18 seconds left in the third quarter.

The defending Class AA state titlists played without point guard David Appolon (family funeral). Erik Copes, a 6-8 forward and George Washington recruit, was slowed by first-half foul trouble and held to six points.

Imhotep’s MVP was Ameen Tanksley (18 points, eight rebounds). Terrell Johnson, taking over at the point, hit four treys en route to 15 points.

Imhotep Charter 7 11 12 24 – 54

Acad. New Church 11 17 18 16 – 62

IC: Terrell Johnson 15, Ameen Tanksley 18, Erik Copes 6, Tyhiem Perrin 2, Jahlil Williams 3, Earl Brown 5, Quantrell Kemp 3, Brandon Alston 2.

ANC: Jonathan Riles 4, Warren Gillis 12, Malcolm Gilbert 9, Rakeem Christmas 21, Savon Goodman 11, Marcus Gilbert 5.

Contact staff writer Rick O’Brien at 610-313-8019 or

robrien@phillynews.com

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