Kahlil Samuel-Reading

Win or go home. Those are four powerful words in the world of sports. Reading needed to win its league finale against Gov. Mifflin and hope that Muhlenberg lost at Wilson on Tuesday night. Otherwise, the Red Knights’ season would end and they would miss the BCIAA playoffs for the first time since 1997. The Muhls fell to the Bulldogs 60-57 in overtime which opened the door for Reading. There was just one problem. The Red Knights trailed the Mustangs by 14 points in the final minute of the third quarter. Reading pulled off a dramatic comeback on Senior Night and defeated Gov. Mifflin 68-64 in overtime. The Geigle Complex was rocking as the (11-11, 7-5) Red Knights outscored the Mustangs 20-11 in the fourth quarter. “At some point, they’re gonna start breaking. We just kept running and running because they can’t run with us,” said Kahlil Samuel. The 6’1 forward is the only senior in the starting lineup. “Some of our juniors and sophomores kept emphasizing play for the seniors, play for the seniors. I appreciate them for that,” noted Samuel. Reading won seven of its last eight contests to qualify for the Berks County playoffs. Although Muhlenberg has a higher District 3 power ranking than the Red Knights, the (15-7, 6-6) Muhls are not eligible for the BCIAA tournament because they finished in fifth place in Division 1. According to BCIAA rules, only the top four teams in each division are considered. Gov. Mifflin, which had already locked up its postseason bid, looked like the team with more urgency in the first quarter. The (14-7, 7-5) Mustangs knocked down four 3-pointers in the first eight minutes and led 22-11. Their advantage increased to 27-13 early in the second quarter. Jeremiah Camara picked up his third foul with 1:34 left in the second period. The 5’9 sophomore averages a team-high 13.9 points per game. The son of second-year head coach Francis Camara came up big in the final quarter and overtime. Gov. Mifflin was on top 35-31 at halftime and 49-35 late in the third quarter. A three-point play by Weshly Rosario got Reading within 49-38 with 30 seconds remaining in the period. After a Mustangs’ turnover, Samuel converted a layup and suddenly the Red Knights were only down 49-40 with eight minutes to play. Rosario, a flashy 6’ junior guard, made a layup with five minutes to go that gave Reading its first lead at 51-50. They capped an 11-to-1 run to begin the fourth quarter. Jahmair Johnson, who usually operates in the low post, hit a triple with 3:40 left to put Gov. Mifflin back in front 54-53. After a putback by Reading senior Xavier Beatty, Matt Koehler answered with an inside bucket. The 6’3 senior drained a 3-pointer from the right corner to make it 59-55 with 1:45 remaining. Ian Fleming then split a pair of free throws and the Red Knights trailed 60-55 with 1:20 to play. Reading rose to the occasion with five consecutive points including a layup in transition by Camara. Beatty followed with two clutch foul shots to tie it up with 41 seconds on the clock. The Mustangs held the ball for the final shot. Koehler missed a tough jumper from the right elbow before the buzzer. Camara started the overtime session with a steal and a layup on the fast break. Andrew Galantuomo and Fleming each went 1-for-2 from the foul line to even the score. Rosario provided the biggest basket of the night with 37 seconds to go. He drove down the middle of the lane and was fouled. That three-point play gave the Red Knights a 65-62 edge. After Galantuomo misfired on a pull-up jumper, Camara sank two free throws with 13 seconds left. A layup by Johnson made it 67-64 with six seconds remaining. Samuel was immediately fouled and missed his first free throw. He connected on his second attempt, however, to seal the thrilling victory for Reading. “I knew I had to make it. It’s Senior Night and I know if we lose, we go home so I had to make that shot,” replied Samuel. He spent last year at South Shore High School in Brooklyn. Samuel is happy to be back with the Red Knights. “When I came back, they all welcomed me with open arms,” he stated. Reading avoided its first losing season since 1988. “We’ve been in playoff mode for about four games. We just gotta keep playing hard and stay together,” said Samuel. He provided eleven points. Rosario (18) and Camara (17) combined for 35 points. Camara erupted for 13 points after the third quarter. Beatty, a 6’3 forward, was a key contributor off the bench with nine points including seven in the fourth quarter. The Red Knights went 17-of-31 from the foul line, while Gov. Mifflin was 10-of-18. The Mustangs made eight shots from beyond the arc. Reading connected just three times from long range. Gov. Mifflin was without starting guard Stephen Mayo due to a shoulder injury that he suffered against Conrad Weiser on Friday. Koehler and Johnson scored 16 points apiece. Galantuomo added a dozen and Fleming chipped in with ten points. Evan Byrne, a 6’7 senior, was in the starting lineup for the Mustangs. He had seven points before fouling out in the fourth quarter. The Berks County playoff brackets will be released on Thursday. Gov. Mifflin and Reading will both be in the field of eight. “I feel like we can go far as long as we keep working hard and take it one game at a time,” said Samuel.