RBBA Awards Night

The Reading Berks Basketball Association held its Winter Shindig at Victor Emmanuel II Beneficial Society on Wednesday evening. Local student-athletes receive thousands of dollars from the RBBA each year to further their education. The organization also raised more than $10,000 for the American Cancer Society as part of its Coaches vs. Cancer initiative.

Reading’s Yadiel Cruz was presented with the Dr. Richard Kleppinger Award which goes to the top senior boys basketball player in Berks County. Cruz led the county in scoring at 22 points per game. The 6’2 guard racked up 729 points this season. He knocked down a team-high 48 shots from beyond the arc. Cruz dropped a career-high 40 points on Harrisburg on January 13th. He had 21 points against Central York in his final game with the Red Knights. Reading reached the state semifinals in Class 6A. In just two years with the Red Knights, Cruz accumulated 1,010 points.

The Dr. Richard Kleppinger Award dates back to 1972. The first winner was Fred Wittich of Mount Penn. Previous winners include Ruben Rodriguez, Stevie Mitchell, Lonnie Walker, Donovon Jack, Alex Franklin, Charlie Copp, Donyell Marshall, Chris Finch, and Stu Jackson. The recipient must demonstrate good citizenship and academics.

Former Reading High School and Alvernia University head coach Mike Miller received the Dr. Richard Flannery Award. Longtime official John Sheptock was presented with the Robert Harbach Memorial Award.

I was honored to be chosen, along with Jeff Ebner and Tom Mellert, for the Distinguished Achievement Award. Thanks to Mike Schorn and the selection committee. A video was shown to recognize the 2024 Berks County Basketball Hall of Fame class. Meredith Morse, Kristen Venne Marcinko, Cindy Wyrick Koehler, Carl Brune, Jack McCloskey, John Stott, Tres Wolf, and Bob Wolff were inducted during the BCIAA playoffs at Santander Arena last month.