Ruben Rodriguez/Rick Perez-Reading

Reading’s boys basketball team is like an avalanche. You’re never sure when it’s coming, but when it does, look out. The avalanche came in the third quarter of Tuesday’s Division 1 matchup with Muhlenberg. The Red Knights erupted for 27 points in eight minutes and turned a 33-28 halftime edge into a 17-point lead. Ruben Rodriguez opened the second half with a dunk off of a Muhls’ turnover. The Rider commit followed his slam with a 3-pointer from the left wing. The 6’2 guard threw down another jam after a steal with 18 seconds remaining in the quarter. It was deafening inside the Geigle Complex as Reading rolled to a 77-60 victory. “We have the best fans around. I couldn’t even hear anything. That’s what we expect every night. We love it when it’s like that,” said Rodriguez. He finished with 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. Rodriguez crammed 13 points into the pivotal third period when the (12-1, 4-0) Red Knights got their transition game going. The first half was very physical. Each team had seven fouls in the opening quarter. Players had to be separated midway through the second period and both teams received a technical foul. “We knew that’s what type of game it was gonna be and we can play any type of game. We love playing physical. That’s a great program and a very well coached team,” stated Rodriguez. The (7-5, 2-2) Muhls led 10-4 early thanks to seven quick points from Xzavion Robertson. The 5’11 lefty hit three of Muhlenberg’s ten triples. Robertson ended up with 19 points. “Dan Dan” Mosquera had a team-high 23 points. The 5’9 senior made an NBA 3-pointer to even the score at 24 with three minutes left in the second period. Mosquera was 10-of-10 from the free throw line. Yadiel Cruz gave Reading a big lift off the bench. The 6’2 junior from the Dominican Republic provided a season-high 15 points along with 11 boards. Cruz, who leads the team in rebounds, shot 6-of-7 from the field. His trey from the right corner made it 70-48 with five minutes to play. Aris Rodriguez added 13 points. The Red Knights were just 17-34 from the foul line and 3-14 from beyond the arc. “We have so much more we have left. We have a lot in store for the county,” noted Ruben Rodriguez. He passed Reading legends Stu Jackson (1,563) and Donyell Marshall (1,581) on the all-time scoring list. Rodriguez, who’s averaging 22 points this season, is up to 1,582 career points. Rick Perez was honored before the game for becoming the program’s winningest coach earlier this season. Perez is (261-74) over 12 years. Jim Gano previously held the school record with 251 victories. I asked Ruben Rodriguez what it’s like playing for Perez. He replied, “It’s legendary. He’s going down in the [record] books. It’s a blessing to be able to make history with him.” Perez said that Rodriguez belongs on Reading’s Mount Rushmore with Lonnie Walker, Marshall, and Jackson.