Alex Collado-Muhlenberg

Alex Collado was a role player a season ago when Muhlenberg won 18 games. The 6’2 senior has now emerged as one of the top scorers in the Berks Conference. Collado poured in 24 points as the Muhls beat Reading 87-74 in a double overtime instant classic. “We stayed composed and we rebounded well,” explained Collado. Muhlenberg raced out to a 20-15 advantage after the opening quarter in front of a raucous sold out crowd. The Red Knights went on a 15-4 run in the second period. They were on top 37-33 at halftime and 52-49 entering the fourth quarter. Jayden Kantner’s layup with 4:17 remaining made it 57-56 and gave the Muhls their first lead since the second quarter. The Brandywine Heights transfer had 19 points off the bench. A lob pass to Shermar Killens off a baseline out-of-bounds play put Muhlenberg in front 61-57 with 1:23 left. However, the defending Class 6A state champions wouldn’t go away. A three-point play by Jeremiah Camara got Reading within one point. The 5’9 freshman scored all 15 of his points after halftime including seven in the fourth quarter. Daquan Burgess drilled a deep trey from the right wing to tie it at 63 apiece with 27 seconds to go. A layup by Collado was answered immediately by an inside basket by a cutting Camara with seven seconds on the clock. Kantner’s layup with two seconds remaining was waved off due to an offensive foul. Sophomore Weshly Rosario, who had 11 points, took the charge. The (8-4, 3-1) Muhls were tied at 65 with the (6-5, 2-2) Red Knights. Killens hit a triple from the right corner with two minutes left in overtime for a 70-67 advantage. The 6’2 junior scored and drew a foul with 33 seconds to go, but he missed the free throw. Muhlenberg went 0-for-5 from the free throw line in the first overtime session. A turnaround shot in the lane by Yadiel Cruz made it 72-72 with 18 seconds to play. The 6’2 senior ended up with 27 points. Kantner was stripped of the ball in the final seconds. The Muhls ran away with things in the second overtime period. They outscored Reading 15-2. Muhlenberg was 13-of-14 from the foul line in double overtime and 32-of-39 overall. Kantner had eight points over the final four minutes and went 6-for-6 from the charity stripe. Killens exploded for a career-high 29 points. He had ten points after regulation. “He did his thing. We let him get the ball and let him go to work,” said Collado. Kyle Archie, a 6’3 senior, added 13 points. He made all ten of his foul shots. The Red Knights finished 10-of-13 from the free throw line. Meanwhile, Collado has gone from averaging five points last year to 16ppg. this season. He gave credit to the student section for Tuesday’s thrilling victory in Laureldale. “They go crazy and it gets us hype on the court. We appreciate them a lot,” he replied.