Berks Sports Report Paul Roberts
After trailing Reading 40-30 at halftime, Muhlenberg erupted for 31 points in the third quarter. The Muhls opened the second half with a 15-0 run and went on to win 71-68 at the Geigle Complex. Eli Hemmings finished with a game-high 25 points, including 13 in the pivotal third period. The 6’4 junior guard gave credit to head coach Matt Flowers for motivating the team at halftime. “Coach Flowers said we have 16 minutes and it’s up to us if we’re gonna win this game. Everyone just snapped. We came out and threw the first punch and they didn’t respond,” explained Hemmings.
Junior point guard LJ Armstrong added 19 points. “He’s been my running mate since we were in fifth grade. We know how each other play. I love that kid to death,” replied Hemmings. Armstrong was 7-of-14 from the foul line. Reading transfer Nelson “Coco” Malave provided 15 points against his former team. “I tell him every day I’m so happy he came. I’m so happy he transferred. I tell him I love him and we need him,” emphasized Hemmings. Malave had a key layup with 46 seconds left that put Muhlenberg in front 70-65. A putback by Mikal Portalatin pulled the Red Knights within 70-68 with ten seconds remaining. Armstrong split a pair of free throws with seven seconds to go before Reading committed one of several turnovers down the stretch.
Jostin DeCastro jammed ten points into the opening quarter. The 6’3 junior guard ended up with 21. “He’s a really good player. I have so much respect for him,” stated Hemmings. DeCastro is averaging 23 ppg. this season. The (3-1) Red Knights led 19-17 after eight minutes. The fire alarm went off in the gym with 3:31 to play in the second quarter. When the contest resumed, Reading rattled off seven straight points for a 37-27 advantage. Weshly Rosario, the lone senior in the Red Knights’ starting lineup, scored 14 of his 20 points in the first half. Both Rosario and DeCastro had three fouls at halftime. A three-point play by Hemmings gave the Muhls a 41-40 edge with 5:23 left in the third period. They would never look back. Jadin Perez, the son of Reading head coach Rick Perez, hit a jumper for Muhlenberg to make it 45-40. The Red Knights were down 61-55 entering the fourth quarter. Perez spent the past two years as an assistant for the Muhls. He’s now back with the program that he guided to a school-record 281 victories and three state championships over twelve seasons.
As expected, Reading didn’t go down without a fight. Javon Merriweather drained a triple from the left wing with two and a-half minutes on the clock. The 6’2 sophomore guard had 15 points on Thursday. Rosario splashed a 3-pointer from the right wing on their next possession to cut the deficit to 68-65 with 2:13 remaining. He was responsible for three of Reading’s seven treys. Neither team scored again until Malave’s drive down the right side of the lane in the final minute. Muhlenberg went 20-of-30 from the free throw line, while the Red Knights were 15-of-21. Jamier Jacob fouled out with 6:45 to go. The 6’3, 215-pound junior forward chipped in with eight points for Reading.
Hemmings called this a statement game for Muhlenberg. He knows that the Red Knights are a tough opponent. “That’s a very good team with very skilled players,” acknowledged Hemmings. Reading has won a record 25 BCIAA titles. The Muhls lost three of their last four league games a season ago and missed the Berks County playoffs. “I love these guys and I don’t want the season to end early,” said Hemmings.