After averaging 8.5 points as a junior, Cruz led the Berks Conference in scoring at 22 ppg. in the 2023-24 season. The 6’2 guard hit a team-high 48 triples for the Red Knights. He finished with 729 points as a senior, including a career-high 40 in a 71-62 victory over Harrisburg on January 13th. Cruz shot 54% from the field and 38% from beyond the arc, while averaging 7.2 rebounds. In just two years at Reading, he accumulated 1,010 points. Cruz was voted the Berks County Player of the Year in 2024. He also received the Dr. Richard Kleppinger Award from the Reading Berks Basketball Association. The Red Knights won 22 games and reached the state semifinals this season.

McKoy made the All-State squad despite playing in only 14 games. Unfortunately, his season came to an end on January 23rd when he suffered a fractured tibia against Reading. Berks Catholic rallied to win that game 61-59 at Lloyd Wolf Gymnasium. McKoy poured in a career-high 29 points in a thrilling 77-73 overtime victory at Trinity in late December. The 6’2 sophomore guard averaged 15 points this year. He also provided elite defense. McKoy was voted to the All-County team as well. The (23-5) Saints advanced to the second round of the PIAA-4A playoffs.

Reading’s Yadiel Cruz was presented with the Dr. Richard Kleppinger Award which goes to the top senior boys basketball player in Berks County. Cruz led the county in scoring at 22 points per game. The 6’2 guard racked up 729 points this season. He knocked down a team-high 48 shots from beyond the arc. Cruz dropped a career-high 40 points on Harrisburg on January 13th. He had 21 points against Central York in his final game with the Red Knights. Reading reached the state semifinals in Class 6A. In just two years with the Red Knights, Cruz accumulated 1,010 points.

The Dr. Richard Kleppinger Award dates back to 1972. The first winner was Fred Wittich of Mount Penn. Previous winners include Ruben Rodriguez, Stevie Mitchell, Lonnie Walker, Donovon Jack, Alex Franklin, Charlie Copp, Donyell Marshall, Chris Finch, and Stu Jackson. The recipient must demonstrate good citizenship and academics.

Former Reading High School and Alvernia University head coach Mike Miller received the Dr. Richard Flannery Award. Longtime official John Sheptock was presented with the Robert Harbach Memorial Award.

I was honored to be chosen, along with Jeff Ebner and Tom Mellert, for the Distinguished Achievement Award. Thanks to Mike Schorn and the selection committee. A video was shown to recognize the 2024 Berks County Basketball Hall of Fame class. Meredith Morse, Kristen Venne Marcinko, Cindy Wyrick Koehler, Carl Brune, Jack McCloskey, John Stott, Tres Wolf, and Bob Wolff were inducted during the BCIAA playoffs at Santander Arena last month.