Reading Rolls into BCIAA Final-Boys Basketball

Reading and Muhlenberg squared off for the third time this season in the BCIAA semifinals at Santander Arena. The second-seeded Red Knights and sixth-seeded Muhls split their regular season battles. Muhlenberg was trying to reach the Berks County championship game for the first time since 1974. Reading, however, pulled away in the second half for a convincing 69-47 victory. The (17-7) Red Knights had a 16-9 advantage after the opening quarter. They went scoreless for three and a-half minutes in the second period and the Muhls grabbed an 18-16 lead. Reading used a 19-to-5 run to go up 35-23 at halftime. Muhlenberg was down 49-34 entering the fourth quarter. Jeremiah Camara squeezed nine points into the final frame. The 5’9 freshman finished with a season-high 20 points. Camara went 9-for-11 from the foul line. Malik Osumanu also had a career night with 18 points. The lanky 6’5 senior was a force in the lane with six blocks. Yadiel Cruz piled up seven rejections as the Red Knights held the Muhls 16 points under their season average. Cruz, a 6’2 senior, chipped in with 15 points. Reading ended up 20-of-26 from the charity stripe, while Muhlenberg was 12-of-19. Junior guard Shermar Killen scored a team-high 15 points for the (14-9) Muhls. Jayden Kantner and Kyle Archie had nine points apiece. Alex Collado fouled out with just two points. The 6’2 senior guard was putting up 15 points a night. The Red Knights are riding a seven-game winning streak. They’re searching for their third straight Berks County title and 26th overall. Reading meets rival Wilson in the championship on Friday at 8pm.