“Roberts Rankings”-Boys Basketball

Basketball is back! High school hoops season kicks off today across Pennsylvania. Nine boys teams from the Berks Conference qualified for the District 3 playoffs last season and five advanced to the state tournament. I was fortunate to cover a total of 62 boys and girls basketball games during the 2023-24 campaign. I’m looking forward to another exciting year!

Wilson is the defending BCIAA champion and the consensus favorite in the county this season. The Bulldogs have cut the nets down three times over the past five years at Santander Arena. They return four starters and several key reserve players. Wilson pushed back its opener against Central Dauphin due to another lengthy football season. Madyx Gruber, Correll Akings, Mike Glover, Cam Zullinger, and Christo Hunsicker will all be making a quick transition from the gridiron. The Bulldogs had a great summer on the court. They didn’t lose a single game in the West Reading and Cedar Beach Leagues.

Reading is searching for its 26th Berks County title since 1980. It will be difficult to replace All-State selection Yadiel Cruz and his 22 points per game. Jeremiah Camara, the son of head coach Francis Camara, and Weshly Rosario return in the backcourt. The big question is when will 6’10 junior Blake Adams be able to play for the Red Knights. Nativity still hasn’t signed off on his transfer. Adams averaged nearly nine points, eight rebounds, and three blocks there a season ago. The good news is Kahlil Samuel has returned to Reading from New York, and there are a couple of young players to keep an eye on. Freshman Cameron “Bron Bron” Jones and sophomore Jostin DeCastro are names to remember.

Berks Catholic has the top player in the county and a coach with 815 career wins. Snip Esterly is preparing for his 36th year as a head coach. He will rely on 6’2 junior guard Kingston McKoy. The All-State pick has made a full recovery from a fractured tibia that occurred on January 23rd versus Reading. McKoy is an elite defender who can score at all three levels. The Saints will have some newcomers in the mix. Freshman guard Carmelo Harper opened eyes this summer and 6’2 junior forward Gavin Welker transferred from Daniel Boone. In addition, football standout Bryce Gumby has decided to play basketball again.

A nice collection of talent has assembled in Laureldale over the past few years. Freddy Lacey, a transfer from Daniel Boone, is the most recent to join the Muhls. All-County guard Shermar Killen is poised for a big senior season. Eli Hemmings is one of the top sophomores in the area. Jayden Kantner and L.J. Armstrong will help Muhlenberg to push the tempo, while Mike Miller provides a physical presence. The Muhls are always a dangerous opponent, especially in their gym.

Exeter has won 46 games over the past two seasons. The Eagles, however, lost three significant pieces to graduation in Kevin Saenz, Reece Garvin, and Alex Kelsey. Saenz was arguably the most versatile player in the county last year. Exeter will have a strong football flavor on its roster. Aidan Dauble, Carter Redding, Jayden Ware, and Braylon Reinert could all be in the starting lineup. They’re joined by a terrific long range shooter in Brady Murray.

There’s optimism in Shillington this winter. The Mustangs expect to improve upon a (8-14) record. They had ten juniors on the team last season. They’re all back with the exception of UConn baseball commit Bryce Detwiler. Former All-County guard Garrett Etzel returned to Gov. Mifflin as its head coach. Etzel was at the helm in Wyomissing last year. Matt Koehler, Andrew Galantuomo, Stephen Mayo, and Jahmair Johnson form an experienced nucleus for the Mustangs.

Speaking of experience, Conrad Weiser has seven seniors on its squad this year. Donovan Gingrich and Brady McKee have become household names in Robesonia. Gingrich holds the school record for 3-pointers in a career. McKee is a point guard with the ability to score. Evan Miller is back after not playing last season. He had shoulder surgery following the 2023 football season. All-State soccer player Gavin Rapp will also give the Scouts some size. Once again, Conrad Weiser has a new head coach. Joey Negron is in charge after being an assistant to Mike Dooley a season ago. Marquis Marshall, the son of longtime NBA player Donyell Marshall, has joined the Scouts’ staff.

Wyomissing has a new head coach as well. Konlan Krick is now leading the Spartans into battle. He was an assistant at Exeter for the previous seven years. Danny Fleischood is Wyomissing’s #1 scoring option. The 6’1 guard averaged a dozen points as a sophomore. The Spartans also have an outstanding all-around athlete in Justice Hardy (Football/Track), and a 3-point threat in Dylan Latourelle.

Schuylkill Valley, Oley Valley, and Antietam are other teams to watch. The Panthers went (15-7) last season and return three starters in Luke Spotts, Kowen Gerner, and Cooper Hohenadel. That trio helped Schuylkill Valley capture the Section 5 football championship in the Lancaster-Lebanon League this fall. Ben DeBalko knocked down 63 treys for the (12-11) Lynx a season ago. He led the county in that department. Antietam only had one senior on its roster last year when the Mounts finished (12-12). They qualified for the BCIAA and District 3 playoffs. Fleetwood won 20 games last season, but the Tigers must replace all five starters.

Without further ado, here is my preseason poll for the Berks Conference. The records listed below are from 2023-24. Remember that no matter where your favorite team is ranked, the sun will come out tomorrow!

“The Great 8”

1.Wilson (17-9)

2.Reading (22-11)

3.Berks Catholic (23-5)

4.Muhlenberg (16-12)

5.Exeter (19-10)

6.Gov. Mifflin (8-14)

7.Conrad Weiser (8-14)

8.Wyomissing (11-11)