Correll Akings-Wilson

Paul Roberts — Sat, 03 Aug 2024 02:45:35 +0000

The West Reading Summer Basketball League championship came down to the final second. Zach Suski got behind Wilson’s defense after a missed free throw. Suski missed an open layup and the Bulldogs held on for a 37-35 victory over Berks Catholic. “I thought it was gonna be a tie game and we were gonna have to fight through overtime. That game was very tough and it came down to the wire,” said Correll Akings. The Saints had won the previous three West Reading League titles. They battled back after trailing 8-0 and 15-4 on Thursday night. Kingston McKoy finished with a game-high 20 points, including four three-pointers. “He’s so good and crafty. He knows how to get a bucket whenever he needs one,” acknowledged Akings. Suski, who had 12 points, sank a triple from the right corner before the halftime buzzer. Berks Catholic was down 21-14 at the break. Wilson was on top 27-24 after the third quarter. A jump hook by Luke Levan gave the Bulldogs a 33-31 advantage with 1:45 remaining. McKoy’s putback tied the score. A tough floater by Madyx Gruber made it 35-33. A layup by Akings gave Wilson a 37-33 cushion with 36 seconds left. However, Akings missed five consecutive free throws down the stretch which gave the Saints a chance. The rising junior guard still ended up with a team-high 11 points. Levan provided eight points. “He’s developed so much and he’s become such a strong player for us,” emphasized Akings. Gruber received the Terry Brennan Most Outstanding Player award. The rising senior guard had 16 points in a 38-29 semifinal win against Warwick. The Bulldogs captured the West Reading League championship for the first time since 2019. Akings, Gruber, Levan, Tommy McFadden, Jon Etim, Cam Zullinger, and Christo Hunsicker are all back from the team that won the BCIAA title this year. “The chemistry is getting stronger and stronger day in and day out. I love the guys so much. They mean a lot to me,” said Akings.

Correll Akings-Wilson

Paul Roberts — Sat, 23 Dec 2023 08:30:00 +0000

The calendar says December, but it felt like a playoff game in West Lawn on Friday night. The youngest player on the floor came up big. Sophomore guard Correll Akings had 23 points and six rebounds as Wilson held off Muhlenberg 57-56 in overtime. Akings’ layup with eleven seconds left forced OT. “I saw the opening after I ripped through and I knew that I had to go off two [feet] strong,” he said. The 5’8 running back exploded for 16 points in the third and fourth quarters. Mike Miller, a 6’1 sophomore, had an open look from the left corner, but he couldn’t connect as time expired. “I thought it was in, but luckily it didn’t go in,” replied Akings with a huge smile. The (7-1, 2-0) Bulldogs started slow and trailed 15-9 after eight minutes. Madyx Gruber had seven of his twelve points in the first period. Wilson’s shots began to fall in the second quarter and it was even at 27 at halftime. The (6-3, 1-1) Muhls outscored the Bulldogs 16-11 in the third period. However, Wilson opened the fourth quarter with an 11-2 run. 6’2 junior Shermar Killens went 1-of-2 from the foul line to tie it at 50 with one minute remaining. After a block by 6’3 senior Kyle Archie, Killens gave Muhlenberg a 52-50 lead on a layup with 34 seconds left. Akings answered to send the Division 1 contest to an extra session. Tommy McFadden and Cam Zullinger scored inside for the Bulldogs, but the Muhls came right back. Alex Collado’s floater off the glass tied it at 56 with 42 seconds to go. Gruber was fouled away from the basket with 22 seconds to play. The 5’11 junior, who was sick, made one of his two free throws for a 57-56 lead. Collado, who finished with a team-high 15 points, was trapped on Muhlenberg’s final possession. The Muhls swung the ball around to Miller who got a clean look before the horn sounded. Muhlenberg’s three-game winning streak ended as they went 11-of-21 from the charity stripe. Killens provided 13 points and Archie added ten. McFadden and Zullinger had six points apiece off Wilson’s bench. Junior guard Jon Etim chipped in with eight points including five in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs were 9-of-14 from the foul line. Akings converted five of his six free throws. “It takes a lot of time to get used to shooting again. I’m starting to get my flow back,” he noted. Wilson’s football season didn’t end until November 10th. The Bulldogs have managed to shake off the rust and win six in a row. “We are showing everybody that we’ve been working really hard at practice and it’s paying off,” said Akings.

Correll – Berks Sports Report

Correll Akings-Wilson

Correll Akings-Wilson