Bob Birmingham-Berks Catholic

It’s early January, but the Berks Catholic girls basketball team is already battle-tested. You won’t find any cupcakes on the Saints’ non-league schedule. They’ve faced Plymouth-Whitemarsh, Methacton, Delone Catholic, and Eastern York. Plus, Berks Catholic met St. Joseph by-the-Sea at a showcase in Wildwood, New Jersey. Saints’ coach Bob Birmingham called that squad from Staten Island one of the best teams he’s seen in years. Berks Catholic lost 69-25. “It really tells you where you’re at. We wanted to put a tough schedule together so that we are ready by the end of the year. Losses early are good, it makes you work hard and it makes you be hungry,” said Birmingham. This is his 34th season as a head coach. He guided Holy Name to three District 3 titles over 22 years. The Blue Jays reached the Class 2A state championship game in 1993. Birmingham is (624-302) overall with five Berks County titles. He’s gone (225-94) with the Saints. We talked about what he enjoys most about coaching. Birmingham replied, “Just being in the gym with the kids, it keeps you young. It’s nice to be around kids who are enthusiastic, who want to learn…and I’ve been blessed with a lot of players who are like that.” The (7-4, 4-0) Saints won at Gov. Mifflin 48-38 on Thursday. Sophomores Madison Langdon and Molly McFadden scored 17 points apiece. Berks Catholic hit the road on Saturday and blew out Eastern York 54-26. Senior Caraline Herb poured in 21 points. The 5’7 guard is averaging a team-high 13 points with 26 treys. Eastern York had been #1 in the District 3-4A power rankings. The Saints still have upcoming non-league matchups with Lancaster Catholic and York Catholic. Birmingham also knows that Division 1 of the Berks League is always tough with competition from Reading, Wilson, and Gov. Mifflin. The Mustangs are the defending county champions. They stunned Berks Catholic 41-40 in the county semifinals at Santander Arena a season ago. The Saints advanced to the District 3-4A Final where they fell to Delone Catholic 33-27 at the Giant Center. Berks Catholic will be a factor this postseason as well. Finally, I asked the longtime coach what he thinks about introducing a shot clock into Pennsylvania high school basketball. “I think it’s okay how it is. I don’t think there is a need for it. Most teams are shooting the ball before 35 seconds anyway. It is also an added cost to all schools,” noted Birmingham.