Jostin DeCastro-Reading

Reading’s basketball team will have a much different look this season. Jeremiah Camara, Kahlil Samuel, Blake Adams, Xavier Beatty, and Nelson “Coco” Malave are all gone. The Red Knights will have a new head coach as well, although he certainly knows his way around the Geigle Complex. Rick Perez has returned to Reading after spending the past two years as an assistant coach at Muhlenberg. He takes over for Francis Camara who went (35-23). Perez guided the Red Knights to three PIAA championships, five District III titles, and six BCIAA trophies over a dozen seasons. His 281 victories are a school record.

Perez will be counting on his backcourt of Weshly Rosario and Jostin DeCastro to lead the way. DeCastro averaged 12.9 points per game as a sophomore last year. “Jostin is a diamond in the rough. His game just keeps ascending. As he learns more, he wants more,” said Perez. The 6’2 guard was Reading’s second-leading scorer during the 2024-25 campaign. “Jostin reminds me of when Daniel Alcantara burst on the scene. They have different playing styles, but how smooth they are and their feel for the game is similar. His best basketball is yet to come,” remarked Perez. DeCastro poured in 20 points in a 88-80 win over Muhlenberg in late January. He had 14 points when the Red Knights upset top-seeded Berks Catholic 48-41 in the BCIAA semifinals. Reading had won nine out of ten games before falling to Wilson 55-39 in the Berks County Championship at Santander Arena. DeCastro only made two 3-pointers in 25 games. He got in the gym and started practicing his long range shot as soon as the season ended. “I saw how they were playing me in the county championship game and I knew I had to work on that. It’s a big part of basketball now,” he explained.

Rosario will run the show for the Red Knights this winter. The 6’ senior point guard is a tremendous passer with great vision. DeCastro enjoys playing with Rosario. “It’s a lot of fun. He connects the whole team. We all come together with him on the court. He finds you, he looks you open sometimes,” replied DeCastro. Rosario averaged 12 ppg. last year. He erupted for 28 points in the victory over Muhlenberg on January 23rd at the Geigle Complex. Rosario will be setting up a pair of young guards this season. Cameron “Bron Bron” Jones and Javon Merriweather are a couple of sophomores to keep an eye on. Jamier Jacob will need to provide a presence in the paint for the undersized Red Knights. The 6’2, 215-pound junior was a TE/DE on the football team this fall.

Reading finished (13-12) after a (1-6) start last year. The Red Knights didn’t qualify for the District III playoffs for the first time since 2001. Expectations are always high on North 13th Street. Reading holds the state record with 2,281 all-time wins. The boys basketball program has been around for 125 years. The Red Knights have racked up 25 BCIAA championships, 24 District III titles, and 20 Central Penn League crowns. Reading begins its season at the York High tournament on Friday and Saturday. The Red Knights’ home opener is Tuesday, December 9th against McCaskey. “I’m really excited. Last year we came up short and I’m glad that we have the opportunity to come back and prove ourselves,” said DeCastro.