The Big Picture: High school hoops dynasties, Phillies fans in Clearwater, and our best sports photos of the week

Junior Zaahir Muhammad-Gray was named most valuable player after Imhotep Institute Charter won its sixth straight Public League basketball title Sunday.

Each Friday, Inquirer photo editors pick the best Philly sports images from the last seven days. This week, the Philadelphia Public and Catholic League basketball playoffs were decided, with three of the four champions — Imhotep and Father Judge on the boys’ side and Audenried on the girls’ — picking up where they left off last year. In the case of Imhotep, it was the sixth straight Public League title, while Audenried captured its fourth. Meanwhile, the Archbishop Carroll girls won their first title since 2019. Down at spring training in Clearwater, the Phillies’ Grapefruit League schedule began, giving fans their first taste of baseball in more than four months.

Imhotep Institute Charter players celebrate their sixth straight Philadelphia Public League boys basketball title with head coach Andre Noble (red shirt). They beat West Philadelphia High School, 39-35, on Sunday at La Salle University’s John E. Glaser Arena.
Archbishop Carroll won the Philadelphia Catholic League girls’ championship behind the trio of senior Alexis Eberz (holding trophy), and her sisters, sophomores Kayla and Kelsey Eberz.
Father Judge fans celebrate after their team won its second straight Catholic League boys’ championship. Last year, the Crusaders followed it up with a state title.
Father Judge’s Derrick Morton-Rivera holds up a piece of the net after the team captured a second straight Catholic League title.
Imhotep had a chance to win both the boys’ and girls’ titles, but Universal Audenried Charter and junior Nasiaah Russell took home the school’s fourth straight crown Sunday at John E. Glaser Arena.
Nasiaah Russell (center) was named MVP of the game after scoring 22 points for the Lady Rockets in their 64-50 win.
Andrew Painter spent most of last season in Lehigh Valley with the IronPigs, where he was selected to represent the Phillies at the 2025 All-Star Futures Game. He’s expected to be a part of the big-league rotation this season.
Phillies shortstop Edmundo Sosa hugs new outfielder Adolis García during Wednesday’s 5-3 win over the Detroit Tigers in Clearwater. The victory was the Phillies’ first of spring training.
It might be spring training, but Phillies center fielder Brandon Marsh’s beard and hair are in midseason form — and dripping wet, as usual.
Marsh takes a break from wetting his hair to sign some autographs before a spring training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Even on the berm at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Eagles fans aren’t hard to find, including this one in a kelly green Saquon Barkley jersey. It was Sunday.
Villanova and Matt Hodge (left) bounced back from their loss to UConn with a win over Butler as they near the end of their Big East schedule.
Villanova guard Devin Askew and UConn guard Silas Demary Jr. dive after a loss ball. The Wildcats trail only St. John’s and UConn in the Big East.
Members of Imhotep’s girls’ team lock arms during the national anthem before their PPL championship game against Audenried.

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