Berks Sports Report Paul Roberts
Berks Sports Report has learned that Reading will be opening the position of boys basketball head coach. The job is expected to be posted on Monday. Francis Camara was informed of the decision today. Camara, a 2008 Reading graduate, has been the Red Knights’ head coach for two seasons. He spent four years as an assistant there. Reading went (22-11) in his first season at the helm. The Red Knights reached both the District 3-6A and state semifinals. Reading finished (13-12) last season after a (1-6) start. Their non-league schedule included state champions Father Judge and West Catholic, as well as Coatesville, Central York, Hazleton and Spring-Ford. The Red Knights won seven of their last eight regular season games to qualify for the Berks County playoffs. They beat top-seeded Berks Catholic 48-41 in the BCIAA semifinals before falling to Wilson 55-39 in the county final. Reading missed the District 3 playoffs for the first time since 2001. Camara’s son, Jeremiah, averaged a team-high 14 points per game. The 5’9 sophomore was voted to the All-Division team.
In other news, Rick Perez has stepped down as an assistant boys basketball coach at Muhlenberg. Perez joined the Muhls after twelve years as Reading’s head coach. He won three state championships with the Red Knights while setting the school record for victories with 281. Perez also led Reading to five District 3 titles and six Berks County championships. The Red Knights hold the state record for all-time wins.