Rick Perez-Reading

Wilson entered the Geigle Complex allowing just 48 points per game, the fewest in Division 1. Reading put 44 up on the scoreboard by halftime. The (19-3, 11-1) Red Knights would not be denied on Senior Night. They rebounded from Tuesday’s 63-61 loss at Muhlenberg with a resounding 89-55 victory over the rival Bulldogs. They were tied at 25 early in the second quarter following two consecutive 3-pointers from the left corner by Wilson freshman Madyx Gruber. With one minute remaining in the second period, Daniel Alcantara blocked Foday Sillah’s layup by pinning it against the glass. Alcantara filled the lane on the fast break and threw down a thunderous dunk for a 38-29 edge. Moments later, Myles Grey converted a three-point play. Ruben Rodriguez sank a triple from the top of the key before the buzzer, and just like that Reading was on top 44-29. Senior guard Joey Chapman provided a spark in the third quarter with nine of his fifteen points. The Red Knights had a 67-46 advantage going into the final period. Alcantara connected from long range three times in the fourth quarter. The all-state forward set a career-high with 30 points. Head coach Rick Perez said Alcantara loves to play the game and has a calm demeanor on the court. The 6’5 senior is eleven points shy of 1,000. Ruben Rodriguez came out on fire with 19 points in the first half. The county’s top scorer posted 26 points. He’s averaging 20 a night. Perez liked how Rodriguez played within the flow of the game. The (14-7, 7-5) Bulldogs committed 21 turnovers. They had won ten of their previous twelve contests. 6’4 senior Foday Sillah had a team-high 17 points. Junior point guard Cam Jones chipped in with 14. Wilson went 8-17 from the free throw line, while Reading was 18-22. The Red Knights were just 10-23 from the stripe in the loss at Muhlenberg. Perez talked at length about his senior class which includes Alcantara, Chapman, Xavier Davis, Justin Walker, DeShawn Wilson, and Dariel Garcia. Reading will be the #1 seed for the Berks County playoffs. The Red Knights will host a quarterfinal on Monday. Reading is (497-97) all-time at the Geigle Complex which opened prior to the 1973-‘74 season. The Bulldogs have won the past two county championships. They came in third in Division 1 this year behind Reading and Berks Catholic.