Ruben Rodriguez-Reading

A 23-point win over rival Wilson is normally cause for a big celebration at the Geigle Complex. Not tonight. Several Reading players were in tears after the 68-45 victory in the District 3-6A quarterfinals. The mood changed drastically when 6’5 senior Daniel Alcantara went crashing to the court after a dunk with 2:06 remaining in the third quarter. Ruben Rodriguez threw a pass off the backboard and Alcantara slammed it home. The initial concern was Alcantara’s back, but the focus shifted to his wrist and hand. Rodriguez was emotional when we talked about the injury. Alcantara was a third team all-state selection last year. The versatile forward averages 16 points per game. He had 15 points against the Bulldogs, increasing his career total to 1,056. Alcantara was voted by the coaches to the all-county team this season. Rodriguez was named the Berks County Player of the Year. The 6’1 junior finished with a game-high 20 points including nine in the second quarter when the (23-3) Red Knights blew it open. The (15-9) Bulldogs struggled to take care of the basketball, especially over the first sixteen minutes. They committed four turnovers in the opening two and a-half minutes. That number grew to 21 by halftime. Wilson trailed 20-8 after the first quarter and 45-19 at the break. The ninth-seeded Bulldogs ended up with 28 turnovers. Rodriguez told me that defense is their top priority. He said, “It makes everything easier. It just makes the game fun. When we’re running on the break, I feel like that’s the most fun we have.” Reading thrives on turning defense into offense. Wilson came into the game allowing 50 points a night. The top-seeded Red Knights were held to six points in the third quarter, yet still put up nearly 70. DeShawn Wilson nailed a pair of 3-pointers in the final period. His second trey gave Reading a 66-42 advantage with three and a-half minutes to go. The Berks County champions got 20 points from their bench. Joey Chapman and Aris Rodriguez provided seven apiece. Ruben Rodriguez stressed that Chapman has outstanding vision in addition to being a very physical guard. The Red Knights were 11-17 from the free throw line, while the Bulldogs went 2-5. Foday Sillah scored eight consecutive points to begin the third quarter. The 6’4 senior had a team-high twelve. Cleveland Harding chipped in with eight points. All-division guard Cam Jones was limited to three. He picked up his fourth foul with three minutes left in the second quarter. Rodriguez mentioned how much he loves playing at home. The Red Knights are (11-1) at the Geigle this season. Reading’s overall record there is a remarkable (499-97). The Red Knights have won four in a row versus the Bulldogs. Reading hosts #5 seed Cedar Cliff in the District 3 semifinals on Tuesday at 7pm. Wilson will travel to #4 Hempfield on Tuesday night. The winner qualifies for the state tournament. The top seven teams advance in Class 6A.