Daquan Burgess-Reading

Stephen Curry is one of Daquan Burgess’ favorite players. Reading’s 5’10 senior guard has some serious range as well. Burgess knocked down a pair of deep 3-pointers in the third quarter as the Red Knights beat Penn Manor 70-55 at the Geigle Complex. Sixth-seeded Reading will travel to third-seeded Carlisle on Friday for a District 3-6A quarterfinal. The (18-8) Red Knights led the (17-8) Comets 35-26 at halftime on Tuesday night. Reading opened the third quarter with a 13-to-2 run. “I feel like they were getting a little winded,” noted Burgess. Penn Manor was outscored 24-to-11 in that period. A three-point play by Yadiel Cruz put the Red Knights in front 53-30 with 3:12 remaining in the quarter. Cruz finished with 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting. “He’s doing an amazing job…We love embracing each other’s success. We’re all happy when he’s doing good,” said Burgess. Cruz was named the BCIAA Player of the Year. The 6’2 senior is averaging 22 points per game. Nico Sosa (11) and Weshly Rosario (10) combined for 21 points off the bench. Burgess started in place of Rosario. Nick Chapman added ten points and Burgess provided eight. Reading got its transition game going in the middle quarters and shared the ball. “Just seeing each other smile is a big thing for us,” remarked Burgess. The Comets came in allowing just 49 ppg. Millersville commit Ethan Benne poured in a game-high 20 points including 16 in the first half. The 6’6 forward is one of six 1,000-point scorers in Penn Manor history. Dhamir Wesley picked up two quick fouls and ended with 13 points. The 6’5, 280-pound senior is headed to Villanova for football. The Comets were without junior guard Andrew Gallion due to an injury. They went 12-for-17 from the free throw line. Two technical fouls were called on the Red Knights in the first half. Reading was 9-of-14 from the stripe and 7-of-18 from beyond the arc. The Red Knights bounced back from Friday’s loss to Wilson in the Berks Conference championship by shooting 56% from the field. The three-time defending District 3 champs demonstrated a balanced attack in a must-win game. “Every 32 minutes I can play, I’m happy. It doesn’t matter if I start or come off the bench,” stated Burgess.