ELCO – Berks Sports Report

Amaya Stewart-Wyomissing

Paul Roberts — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 19:47:00 +0000

The Wyomissing girls basketball team couldn’t wait for this day to arrive. The Spartans got the opportunity to play at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Monday afternoon. “We couldn’t sit still at practice for the past two weeks,” emphasized Amaya Stewart. The All-State forward and Berks County Player of the Year finished with 15 points in a 43-27 victory over ELCO. The Spartans jumped out to an 8-3 lead. The Raiders didn’t go away quietly. They outscored Wyomissing 12-9 in the second quarter to even things at 17-17. Makenna Seifert, a 5’9 senior forward, scored six of her team-high eight points in the second period. Stewart provided the Spartans with eleven points in the middle quarters. Wyomissing was on top 31-27 with eight minutes remaining. The Spartans’ defense stole the show in the final period as ELCO went scoreless. Audrey Hurleman, one of four returning starters for Wyomissing, had a dozen points. “Oh my gosh, MVP of the game. It was great,” said Stewart about Hurleman. The junior forward is an All-County selection in both soccer and lacrosse. Junior guard Alexis Hardy chipped in with six points. The (7-0) Spartans are coming off a historical season. They won their first Berks County and District 3 championships in 2022-23. However, this talented group isn’t taking things lightly. “We come to practice ready to work every single day,” remarked Stewart. ELCO won the boys game 60-47. Sophomores Kaden Shultz-Tillison and Josiah Hayes came off the bench to combine for 31 points. Shultz-Tillison poured in a game-high 20 points for the (4-2) Raiders. He knocked down three NBA treys. Freshman guard Justice Hardy led the (0-2) Spartans with 15 points including eight in the fourth quarter. All of the players were grateful for the opportunity which was organized by ELCO athletic director Tommy Mealy. “It was an amazing experience. It was something like no other. It’s a one time experience. I’ll talk about it forever,” stated Stewart.

Guests of the 76ers

Paul Roberts — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 12:17:00 +0000

The Wyomissing boys and girls basketball teams got some exciting news this week. They will be playing a doubleheader against ELCO at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on December 18th. The girls game is set for 1:10pm with the boys game to follow. All four teams will be the guests of the 76ers who host the Bulls that night at seven o’clock.

The Spartans’ boys basketball team has a new head coach this season. Former Gov. Mifflin and Alvernia standout Garrett Etzel takes over for Ryan Ludwig.

Wyomissing’s girls team is coming off a historic season. The (28-3) Spartans won their first BCIAA and District 3 championships. Amaya Stewart returns after being named first team All-State in Class 4A. The 6’1 junior is the reigning Berks County Player of the Year. Aaron Anders was voted the Berks Girls League Coach of the Year. Anders is thrilled that his team will get to play in an NBA arena. “I’ve never been more excited for these kids to experience what they are going to take part in! I can’t wait to see their faces and their joy! Big thanks to both athletic directors for this unbelievable opportunity,” he said.

Ean Winchester-Twin Valley

Paul Roberts — Sat, 11 Nov 2023 01:23:00 +0000

When it’s cold and windy, there’s nothing like having a big offensive line along with a 260-pound fullback. Second-seeded Twin Valley has both. The Raiders ran for 352 yards in a 35-7 victory over seventh-seeded ELCO. The (10-1) Raiders averaged 8.2 yards per carry while advancing to the District 3-4A semifinals for the second year in a row. “The O-line is doing a great job blocking up front. Without them we can’t do anything,” emphasized Ean Winchester. The senior FB/DT is a force on both sides of the ball. Winchester is joined on the defensive line by Markell Norris, Ben Savidge, and Kyle Kline. All four of them are seniors. Sophomores Greyson Miller and Mark Minardi are also part of the rotation. Linebackers Lucas Myers and Danny Murphy helped to hold ELCO scoreless until the first play of the fourth quarter when Jake Williams ripped off a 47-yard touchdown run. Williams entered the night with 2,233 rushing yards and 29 TD this year. He ends his career with more than 4,900 yards after going for 168 on 22 carries in Elverson. Twin Valley put together two long drives in the first quarter. Speedy sophomore Drew Engle polished off an 80-yard march with a 7-yard touchdown. That was followed by a 79-yard possession which included Evan Myers’ 57-yard pass down the right sideline to sophomore Ben Grundy. Winchester plowed into the end zone from two yards away for a 14-0 advantage. ELCO punted the first five times it had the football. Twin Valley went just 48 yards for its third score. Engle’s 2-yard run made it 21-0 with 8:10 remaining before halftime. Myers used his legs on a 52-yard score with 1:44 left in the second quarter. “He made a great fake and tricked the whole defense,” said Winchester. Twin Valley went on a 92-yard drive in the third quarter which invoked the mercy rule. A 5-yard run by Evan Johnson put the Raiders in front 35-0 with three minutes to go in the third period. ELCO, which was making its eighth appearance in the District 3 playoffs, finishes (8-4). They were outgained 447-to-229. Engle had 196 yards on 22 carries. He has surpassed 1,400 yards this season. Myers added 92 yards on six touches. The 5’10, 180-pound junior was 6-of-11 through the air for 95 yards and an interception. Johnson provided 46 yards on a dozen carries. He’s just shy of 1,100 yards this year. They run behind an offensive line that averages 269 pounds. Winchester is a battering ram at fullback. He’s committed to George Mason for wrestling. “I loved the campus. I love the vibe down there. The coaches were amazing, the team was amazing,” he replied. Winchester won the BCIAA heavyweight championship last season. He has a career record of (94-18). On top of that, he’s also an All-County lacrosse player. Winchester noted that being a multi-sport athlete is beneficial. “It helps so much. The body control that comes with each sport all relates together,” he explained. Twin Valley will host third-seeded Manheim Central next Friday in the semifinals.

Bob Wolfrum-Wyomissing

Paul Roberts — Sun, 24 Sep 2023 12:16:00 +0000

It was late in the third quarter on a rainy Saturday afternoon and an ELCO punt had pushed Wyomissing back to its 2-yard line. The Spartans were up 21-14 in a matchup of undefeated teams. Wyomissing took 14 plays to march 98 yards in a vintage Wing-T drive. “When the chips are down and you’re on your own 2, you have to reach back and our kids did…You could see they [the Raiders] were running out of gas,” said longtime Spartans’ coach Bob Wolfrum. Chase Eisenhower’s 3-yard touchdown run gave Wyomissing a 28-14 advantage with 7:42 left. That would be the final margin as the (5-0) Spartans won their 40th consecutive regular season contest. They’re ranked #2 in the state in Class 3A by PennLive. Eisenhower, a 215-pound sophomore fullback, rumbled for 116 yards on 18 carries. Senior HB/LB Drew Forrey stole the show with 163 yards and 3 TD on ten carries. Forrey is up to 6’4 and 210 pounds this year. He put on twenty pounds in the offseason. “He’s a big guy now. He can play at the next level. He’s got good speed. He’s a really good blocker. He had a day,” stated Wolfrum. Forrey added five tackles. He stopped Mitchell Frederick on a shovel pass on fourth down with 3:42 remaining to seal the victory. Forrey raced 54 yards up the middle for a score on Wyomissing’s opening possession. His 24-yard touchdown run on a sweep to the right made it 14-7 with 7:18 to go in the second quarter. The Spartans then stuffed the (4-1) Raiders on fourth-and-six at Wyomissing’s 21-yard line. The second half started with a bang. Forrey took another sweep off the right side 50 yards to the house. ELCO responded immediately to pull within 21-14 midway through the third quarter. Jake Williams capped that drive with a 25-yard touchdown run up the gut. Williams finished with 133 yards and 2 TD on 23 carries. The 5’10, 185-pound senior entered the day with 1,141 yards and 16 TD in just four games. Williams ran for 1,792 yards and 18 TD a season ago. 220-pound senior linebacker Elliott Kreider intercepted Logan Hyde’s pass and returned it to Wyomissing’s 25-yard line with three minutes left in the third quarter. The Raiders weren’t able to capitalize, however, and were forced to punt. That led to the pivotal drive of the game. The Spartans have five new starters on the offensive line. “They play very well at times. We haven’t been consistent. We’re getting better,” replied Wolfrum. Caleb Brewer has shifted from tight end to offensive tackle. The 6’5, 290-pound senior is committed to Penn State. “He’s not taking it easy because he’s going to Penn State. He works and he’s playing both ways, at his size that’s tough,” noted Wolfrum. Max Tipton, a 285-pound OT/DT, is also playing well as a junior. The Spartans ran the ball 52 times for 351 yards. They outgained ELCO 360-201. Wyomissing hosts Donegal next Saturday.