Javon Merriweather-Reading

Kingston McKoy was averaging 21.6 points entering Monday’s tilt at the Geigle Complex. The Colgate commit is a two-time All-State selection who led Berks Catholic to the PIAA-4A championship game a season ago. Reading held the 6’4 senior guard to five points in a 48-40 victory. Sophomore guard Javon Merriweather explained the Red Knights’ defensive scheme. “Follow him wherever he goes, double him when he gets to the post, and make sure he sees people at all times,” said Merriweather. Mikal Portalatin, a 5’10 senior, got the initial assignment of covering McKoy. Cameron “Bron Bron” Jones guarded him for most of the night. “He did a real good job. I’m proud of him. Holding him to five points is a big accomplishment,” emphasized Merriweather. It’s the lowest scoring output for McKoy since the District 3-4A quarterfinals against Bishop McDevitt on February 20. He had three points as the Saints cruised to a 51-32 win over the Crusaders.

Reading was in front 9-8 after the opening quarter in the nightcap of its holiday tournament. The (6-3) Red Knights took control by outscoring Berks Catholic 15-to-3 in the second quarter. Jones banked in a 3-pointer from the left wing to make it 20-9 with 3:15 remaining in the period. The 6’ sophomore then found freshman Tai’je Slaughter for a layup and a 23-11 advantage. Merriweather provided a spark in the first half. The 6’2 southpaw led everyone with nine points at the break. McKoy was just 1-of-4 from the foul line at halftime. He had one airball from the stripe and was shaking his right hand. Ten days ago, McKoy made seven 3-pointers and dropped a career-high 40 points at Muhlenberg.

Weshly Rosario hit a triple from the top of the key to increase Reading’s margin to 31-14 with six and a-half minutes left in the third quarter. The senior point guard picked up his third foul thirty seconds later. Carmelo Harper got hot in the third period for the Saints. The 6’1 sophomore guard jammed all ten of his points into that quarter. Berks Catholic pulled within 36-30 entering the final eight minutes.

Brady Altimar knocked down a trey from the right corner to cut the deficit to 38-33 with seven minutes to go. The (6-2) Saints got as close as 40-36. Rosario went back to the bench with 5:14 to play after getting his fourth foul. Berks Catholic then lost 6’5 junior forward Johnny Giesa to an injury with 3:12 remaining. Neither team could buy a bucket for several minutes. A putback by McKoy made it 45-40 with 40 seconds left. Berks Catholic got the ball back, but committed a turnover with 25 seconds on the clock. Rosario split a pair of free throws before Jostin DeCastro sealed the deal with a one-handed dunk that got the crowd on its feet. “That was tough, everybody was going crazy. That was amazing,” replied Merriweather. DeCastro continued his outstanding junior campaign with a game-high 18 points. The 6’3 guard showed off his mid-range jumper and got to the basket. Jones and Rosario added seven points apiece. Altimar had nine points for the Saints. Gavin Welker chipped in with eight points. Their five-game winning streak came to a halt.

There were only seven combined 3-pointers. Berks Catholic connected four times from beyond the arc, including two triples by Altimar. The Saints were 6-of-12 from the foul line, while the Red Knights went 9-of-16. Reading committed 13 turnovers, but only one in the pivotal second quarter when the Red Knights built a 13-point cushion. Merriweather finished with nine points. He knows all about the basketball tradition at Reading. His father, Brad, played for the Red Knights in the late ‘90s and continued his career at Alvernia. “It was my dream. Me playing here is a blessing,” stated Javon Merriweather.

Reading will face Lansdale Catholic in the championship game tonight at 7:15pm. The Crusaders defeated York Country Day 56-52 on Monday at the Geigle Complex. Brayden Martin, a 6’5 junior, poured in a team-high 18 points for Lansdale Catholic. Ayden Lewis, a 6’5 sophomore, provided 15 points. After a three-game losing skid, the Red Knights have won three in a row. “We’re definitely back on track. Our energy picked up in practice. We’re locking in more to the game plans,” noted Merriweather. Meanwhile, Berks Catholic takes on York Country Day at 5:30pm in the consolation matchup.