Berks Sports Report Paul Roberts
The Berks County boys basketball playoffs kicked off Monday night. The four teams from Division 1 dominated in the quarterfinal round. They won by an average of 20.5 points. You can read the full story on Gov. Mifflin’s 68-52 victory over Exeter on my website, including an interview with junior guard Ian Fleming. The BCIAA boys and girls basketball semifinals will be held on Wednesday at Santander Arena.
#8 Antietam at #1 Berks Catholic
The Mounts and Saints were tied 14-14 after eight minutes at Lloyd Wolf Gymnasium. Berks Catholic pulled away in the middle quarters for a 68-47 victory. The Saints outscored Antietam 21-to-9 in the second period and 25-to-11 in the third. Kingston McKoy poured in a game-high 28 points. The 6’2 junior guard was a third team All-State selection a season ago, but he missed the BCIAA playoffs due to a fractured tibia. Zach Suski added 15 points, including 13 in the first half. Gavin Welker chipped in with nine points for the (18-4) Saints. A.J. Scheifley led the (13-9) Mounts with 17 points. Jonas Coste and Julious Williams scored ten points apiece. Antietam will be in the District 3-3A tournament which begins on Monday, February 17.
#5 Wyomissing at #4 Reading
The Red Knights remained hot with a 77-56 win over the Spartans at the Geigle Complex. Reading has won eight of its last nine contests. Jeremiah Camara sank four of their seven 3-pointers in the first quarter. The Red Knights were on top 28-11 after eight minutes. Camara ended up with a game-high 22 points. The 5’9 sophomore hit five triples. Weshly Rosario connected three times from long range and finished with 17 points. Xavier Beatty provided twelve points. The 6’3 senior forward committed to Lock Haven for football on Monday. Danny Fleischood, a 6’1 junior, led Wyomissing with 19 points. Dom Arguelles (14) and Dylan Latourelle (11) combined for 25 points. The (15-8) Spartans have qualified for the District 3-4A playoffs which start on Thursday, February 20. The (12-11) Red Knights battle top-seeded Berks Catholic on Wednesday at 8:30pm at Santander Arena.
#7 Schuylkill Valley at #2 Wilson
The Bulldogs rolled to a 72-48 win over the Panthers. The defending Berks County champions allowed just 17 points in the second half. Wilson improved to (18-5). Madyx Gruber piled up 23 points. The All-County guard knocked down five 3-pointers. Correll Akings contributed 14 points and 6’6 senior Luke Levan had nine. Cooper Hohenadel, one of several outstanding football players in this matchup, led Schuylkill Valley with a dozen points. The (15-8) Panthers now await the District 3-4A tournament on Thursday, February 20. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs square off with rival Gov. Mifflin on Wednesday at 5:30pm at Santander Arena. That will follow the Wilson versus Gov. Mifflin girls semifinal which begins at 4pm.
