Aris Rodriguez-Reading

You’re already very familiar with Ruben Rodriguez. The 6’2 senior guard is a two-time, first team all-state selection with more than 1,000 points over the past two years at Reading. You’re probably not nearly as familiar with Aris Rodriguez. Until now. The 6’5 senior guard turned Tuesday’s season opener against Central York into his coming out party. He knocked down four 3-pointers in just four and a-half minutes, and jammed 14 points into the first quarter. Aris Rodriguez poured in a career-high 30 points in an 87-68 rout of a talented Panthers’ squad. He gave credit to the fans at the Geigle Complex for energizing him. “It’s beautiful. It’s a blessing. We just know that if we have a home game, it’s gonna be packed,” said Rodriguez. The Red Knights are (502-97) all-time at the Geigle which opened prior to the 1973-74 season. A breakaway dunk by Rodriguez gave Reading a 27-14 edge early in the second quarter. Central York got within 37-29 before he hit another triple with 1:50 remaining until halftime. The defending Berks County and District 3-6A champions were on top 48-34 at the break. The teams combined for 48 points in the second period. Ruben Rodriguez kicked off the third quarter with a trey from the right corner and the Red Knights were never threatened. The Rider commit finished with 31 points including 18 in the second half. He’s up to 1,322 career points. There are four seniors in Reading’s starting lineup. “We’ve been playing since we were young so the chemistry is there. You’re gonna pass the ball and you’re gonna get it back,” noted Aris Rodriguez. He praised senior forward Amier Burdine for his interior defense. “Amier is a dog. He’s been a dog since second grade. He’s always been that small guy to guard a big man and keep him off the block,” replied Aris Rodriguez. Central York got a boost when 6’8 sophomore Ben Rill transferred from Westtown. The lefty had a team-high 24 points. Greg Guidinger, a 6’6 junior forward, added 16 points. He kept the Panthers hanging around in the second quarter with 12 points. Guidinger has offers from Drexel, Toledo, and Robert Morris. There were 41 combined free throw attempts. Central York went 17-24 while Reading was 14-17. The Panthers committed 23 turnovers and only made three shots from beyond the arc. The Red Knights splashed nine 3-pointers, six came from Aris Rodriguez who averaged 5.4 points a season ago. His brother, Rene Rodriguez, was a guard on the 2021 state championship team. Aris told me that the Lakers are his favorite NBA team right now because of former Reading star Lonnie Walker. “He had me on my feet when I was like 7 [years old]. He was a big inspiration, especially coming from the same part of town. He represented the hood a lot,” said Rodriguez. Walker is averaging 16 points for the Lakers this year. If Aris Rodriguez continues to perform like he did on Tuesday night, he’ll be inspiring the next generation of Red Knights. Rick Perez earned his 250th victory. This is his 12th season as head coach. He’s one win shy of tying Jim Gano’s school record. Perez has guided Reading to two state titles, four District 3 crowns, and five Berks County championships. Perez took part in a pregame ceremony to remember former head coach Pete Carril who passed away in August at 92. Carril led the Red Knights from 1958-66 with an outstanding mark of (145-42). He spent one season at Lehigh before taking over the Princeton men’s basketball program. From 1967-96, Carril won 514 games and 13 Ivy League titles. The Tigers made eleven appearances in the NCAA tournament. Carril was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998. All of the Reading High coaches wore bow ties in his honor on Tuesday.