Ruben Rodriguez-Reading

Ruben Rodriguez set the tone for the Red Knights with nine points including a dunk in the first quarter against Berks Catholic. Reading rolled to a 67-51 victory over the previously unbeaten Saints. Rodriguez finished with a season-high 24 points. The first team all-state guard jammed ten points into the final quarter. Rodriguez knocked down two of Reading’s six 3-pointers. The 6’1 junior is averaging 14 points for the defending Class 6A state champions. We talked about the electrifying performance by Myles Grey. The 5’11 junior hit four shots from beyond the arc and scored a career-high 19 points. Grey got the Red Knights’ bench on its feet with ten points in the third quarter. Reading was up 34-23 at halftime after a 21-9 second period. Rodriguez stressed that creating turnovers and pushing the pace were the biggest keys. The Red Knights forced 19 turnovers; six in the pivotal second quarter. I asked Rodriguez what it’s like to have fans back at the Geigle Complex. He said, “Unbelievable, it feels great!” Reading is (492-97) all-time at the Geigle. Rodriguez added that their tough schedule has helped and last week’s 75-71 loss to Devon Prep humbled the team. The Red Knights are (7-1, 3-0). They played without Daniel Alcantara, Joey Chapman, and Aris Rodriguez for the third consecutive game. Head coach Rick Perez told me that there’s no timetable for their return. Alcantara was an all-state selection last season. The 6’5 senior is averaging nearly 19 points this year. Berks Catholic dropped to (6-1, 2-1) on Snip Esterly’s birthday. He’s in his 33rd season as a head coach with a record of (752-208). JayJay Jordan led the Saints with 19 points. Ryan Koch had 10. Berks Catholic held a 14-13 advantage after the first quarter. The Saints went 9-14 from the free throw line. Reading was 11-16.