Bob Birmingham-Berks Catholic

Bob Birmingham and Mike Clark have combined for 880 wins. Their squads captured the last seven Berks County championships. The Saints cruised past Gov. Mifflin 65-48 on December 21st, but they were missing all-county guard Caraline Herb in the rematch. The 5’7 junior was leading the Berks League with 34 three-pointers. The Mustangs are certainly comfortable from beyond the arc as well. Gov. Mifflin entered the night with 81 treys. For perspective, Exeter was second in the county with 60. The Mustangs have four double digit scorers. They came into Lloyd Wolf Gymnasium as the highest-scoring team in the league at 55 points per game. However, they were limited to 22 points in the second half of a 50-45 loss to Berks Catholic. Birmingham stressed to his players that they needed to get out and guard the 3-point line. Gov. Mifflin only made three triples, while the Saints knocked down seven from long range. Birmingham told me that Aaliyah Dabney is a catalyst on the defensive end with her versatility and energy. Dabney finished with six points and a team-high nine rebounds. Her steal and layup before the buzzer was the cherry on top for the (16-3, 9-0) Saints. Berks Catholic took an early 15-7 advantage, but trailed 23-21 at halftime and 34-33 after the third quarter. Caroline Reedy scored ten of her 13 points in the first half. Reedy and fellow senior Mackenzie Gordos sank four straight free throws to put the Saints in front 47-40 with 45 seconds left. Gordos, who provided nine points, connected on a big 3-pointer midway through the final period. Madison Langdon may only be 5’1, but the freshman came up large with a dozen points including two 3’s. Langdon had a season-high 15 points at Shillington last month. Birmingham said, “The sky is the limit for what she can do.” Sydney Corado and Molly McFadden are also in ninth grade. Birmingham mentioned that the seniors have a lot of confidence in the freshmen. He likes the work ethic of that trio. Corado chipped in with seven points against the (11-7, 6-3) Mustangs. Gov. Mifflin was led by Anyah Ortiz’s 13 points. The 5’4 junior jammed eight into the second quarter. Shakyla Mayo contributed ten points and 5’8 sophomore Taylor Koenig added nine. The Mustangs were an outstanding 12-14 from the FT line. Berks Catholic went 11-16. Birmingham enjoys the competition in Division 1. He’s (612-294) over 33 seasons at Holy Name and Berks Catholic.