JayJay Jordan-Berks Catholic

This wasn’t your typical summer league basketball game. Wilson (Marrella Financial) and Berks Catholic (Berks Packing) needed overtime to decide the West Reading League championship on Thursday. Nothing came easy in this matchup of two of the top high school programs in District 3. Berks Catholic emerged with a hard-fought 46-45 victory for its second straight West Reading League title. JayJay Jordan poured in 23 points including the go-ahead layup with 14 seconds remaining. He said, “It’s always intense against Wilson. We’ve been playing each other for a long time. But when it’s go time it’s go time, especially in a championship scenario.” Jordan attacked the rim over and over again. Wilson guards Cam Jones and Cleveland Harding fouled out. “I always love playing against the best players in the county, and just testing my levels and how I’m growing. It was definitely a fight for every single point I had. Kudos to Cam,” Jordan said. Wilson raced out to a 7-0 advantage before Berks Catholic scored 12 of the next 14 points. Berks Catholic was in front 14-10 after the first quarter. It was knotted at 24 at halftime. Wilson took a 32-29 lead into the final period. Ofure Odiale put back a missed free throw and completed a three-point play with a minute and a-half to play. He put Wilson on top 39-35. Jordan responded with two free throws and a transition layup after a Wilson turnover with thirty seconds left. Seamus Breslin went 1-for-2 at the foul line with eight seconds remaining to tie the game at 40. Parker Nein opened overtime with a trey from the right corner for Berks Catholic. Madyx Gruber, a rising sophomore guard, converted a three-point play to give Wilson a 45-44 edge with 34 seconds on the clock. After a layup by Jordan, Wes Peña missed a pull-up jumper at the buzzer to end a thriller at West Reading Elementary School. Ryan Koch added 11 points for Berks Catholic. Jordan talked about playing alongside Koch and Jaxon Geddio who had a game-high 18 points in the All-Star Game on Thursday night. Jordan also discussed his 6am workouts at Reading City Park as a kid. He believes his hard work is paying off. Jordan was named MVP of the West Reading Summer League. He had 19 points in the semifinals versus Cedar Crest and 24 in the quarterfinals against Wyomissing. Gruber finished with a team-high nine points in the championship. Odiale chipped in with eight. Wilson’s Aidan Melograna received the league’s Most Improved Player award. Jovan Hollis from Antietam and Eli Houser of Schuylkill Valley were also honored on Thursday. Hollis was recognized as the league’s top defensive player and Houser took home the sportsmanship award. As for Jordan, it’s time to get ready for football season. The all-county defensive back and running back told me that the Saints will be better than people think this year.