The three-year starter reached 1,000 career points on January 6th at Reading. Super erupted for 31 points as the Mustangs defeated the Red Knights 59-55 at the Geigle Complex. She will enter her senior season with 1,329 points. Ashley Espinosa, a 2012 graduate, is Gov. Mifflin’s all-time leading scorer with 1,803 points.

The Mustangs finished (18-10) this year. They reached the BCIAA semifinals before falling to Exeter 46-40 at Santander Arena. Gov. Mifflin ended up in eighth place in the District 3-6A tournament and qualified for the state playoffs. The Mustangs lost a nailbiter at Canon-McMillan 48-46 in the first round of the PIAA-6A bracket.

Berks Catholic is still holding down the top spot. The Saints have double digit wins over Muhlenberg and Wilson. Kingston McKoy has improved his strength and perimeter shooting from a season ago. The Colgate commit is averaging 21.6 ppg. He dropped a career-high 40 points on the Muhls in a 69-55 victory last Friday. Berks Catholic visits Reading on Monday.

Muhlenberg earned a quality road victory by defeating the Red Knights 71-68 two weeks ago. The Muhls rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit. Head coach Matt Flowers has a balanced attack. Eli Hemmings, “Coco” Malave, and LJ Armstrong are each averaging between 12-15 points.

Wilson is riding a five-game winning streak. The Bulldogs are gaining valuable experience and will continue to improve as the season progresses. Head coach Matt Coldren is playing ten guys every night, including four sophomores. Wilson will rely on its defense. The Bulldogs have allowed 44 points or less in six consecutive contests.

Reading snapped a three-game losing streak with an impressive 72-51 rout of Exeter on Monday. Jostin DeCastro, a 6’3 junior, is putting up 21.7 ppg. While the Red Knights may lack depth and 3-point shooting, they’re dangerous as always in transition. Keep in mind, four starters will be returning next year.

The good news for Exeter is that Aidan Dauble is back from injury. The bad news in Reiffton is that Dylan Donate remains out with a calf strain. Donate scored 57 points and hit 10 triples in the Eagles’ first three games. Exeter has won six of its eight matchups despite only having Dauble in the lineup twice.

Gov. Mifflin’s record is deceiving. The Mustangs have played a very challenging early season schedule. They’ve squared off with Berks Catholic, Muhlenberg, Wilson, and unbeaten West York. This is an inexperienced group in Shillington that’s still trying to find its way on the offensive end.

Wyomissing has a nice one-two punch with Dom Arguelles and Danny Fleischood. Arguelles is running the point and contributing nearly 20 points a night. Fleischood uses his strength and athleticism to get buckets on multiple levels. The 6’1, 190-pound senior is averaging 14.3 ppg. The Spartans came away with a hard-fought 56-48 victory at Schuylkill Valley earlier this month.

Without further ado, here are the “Roberts Rankings” for the Berks Conference. Remember that no matter where your favorite team is ranked, the sun will come out tomorrow!

“The Great 8”

1.Berks Catholic (6-1)

2.Muhlenberg (7-2)

3.Wilson (6-2)

4.Reading (4-3)

5.Exeter (6-2)

6.Gov. Mifflin (3-5)

7.Wyomissing (5-2)

8.Schuylkill Valley (5-5)

Wilson was in front 15-7 after eight minutes and 30-16 at halftime. Jones provided seven points in the third quarter when she went 5-of-6 from the foul line. Ryan Leaman, a North Carolina lacrosse commit, gave the Bulldogs a boost with 14 points off the bench. “She can bring up the ball, push on transition, and give us the 3,” noted Jones. Leaman hit three of their six triples.

Kailani Hardy was the Bulldogs’ leading scorer a season ago when they went (20-10) and reached the second round of the state tournament. The 5’10 guard averaged 14 ppg. as a sophomore and was voted to the All-County team. Hardy was given the assignment of guarding Bella Super on Monday. The 5’7 junior was averaging 21 ppg. Super was a third team All-State pick in Class 6A last year. After scoring seven points in the first quarter, she was limited to two free throws the rest of the game. Raquet was thrilled with Hardy’s defensive effort. “It was unbelievable. I think she’s one of, if not thee best defender in the county. She shut her down tonight. She loves those matchups against the other team’s best player,” stated Raquet. Hardy also contributed eleven points, including nine in the second half. Wilson was on top 43-24 entering the final quarter.

Super is up to 938 career points. Jones isn’t far behind at 888. She’s averaging 14.3 ppg. this season. Violet Houck was a factor on both ends of the floor. The 6’ senior forward had 8 points and 11 rebounds. Houck is a three-time All-Division selection on the court and a record-setting hurdler on the track team. Bridget Martin finished with a team-high eleven points for the (4-3) Mustangs. Saray Renninger, a 5’10 sophomore, chipped in with nine points and Brooklyn George had six. Super, Martin, and George are all three-year starters for head coach Mike Clark. He’s won 319 games over 18 seasons, including four years at Oley Valley.

Gov. Mifflin struggled from long range. The Mustangs connected just three times from beyond the arc. They went 10-of-18 from the foul line, while the Bulldogs were 6-of-10. Wilson lost to Gov. Mifflin 60-56 in the BCIAA semifinals last season. The Bulldogs haven’t won a Berks County championship since 2014. “It’s definitely in my mind. We do not talk about it. We just stick to playing to our standards and taking it game by game,” said Jones.

Gov. Mifflin returns seven starters on offense and six on defense. Hohl can be utilized all over the field. He was a first team pick on offense and defense in Section 2 of the L-L League last fall. The 6’, 160-pound senior came up with six interceptions. He was also a second team selection as a kick returner. Being a member of the wrestling team has benefited him on the gridiron. “It helps mentally and physically with the conditioning…The one-on-one combat factor kind of transfers right over to me being a corner lined up right next to someone,” explained Hohl. He was also part of the Mustangs’ state championship baseball team this spring. Quarterback Javien Pletz and fullback Grady Garner (5’10, 200) are back in Gov. Mifflin’s option attack. Hohl likes what he has seen from the offensive line which includes Presley Rinker (6’1, 305) and Gavin Kelly (6’, 250). “We’re pretty good in size. We just need the aggression to come through. If that does, we’ll be moving people off the ball for sure,” stated Hohl. Derek Dinatale, Lebron Leaf, Stephen Mayo, Jahmair Johnson, and Travis Jenkins are some other players to keep an eye on in Shillington. The Mustangs got bumped up to Class 6A this year. In an interesting twist, they start the season at home against Pleasant Valley on Friday. Gov. Mifflin fell to Pleasant Valley 28-19 in the Eastern Conference championship last year.

If you’re wondering if a #7 seed has ever won a District 3 title in football, the answer is yes. It has actually happened twice; once in Class 3A and once in 4A. The (9-3) Eagles have reached uncharted territory. This is their first appearance in the District 3 Final. Exeter is (7-11) all-time in the District 3 playoffs and three of those wins have come this month. The Eagles have been road warriors. They crushed #2 Manheim Central 43-26 in the quarterfinals, and then left Cedar Cliff with a 42-35 victory in the semifinals. Eric Nangle was the star of that show with 332 rushing yards and 5TD! The 175-pound senior added an 83-yard TD catch. Nangle is the second-leading rusher in Berks County with 1,544 yards and 20TD this year. The forecast is calling for strong winds which would impact Exeter more than Gov. Mifflin. Senior Colin Payne has thrown for just over 2,000 yards this season with 19TD. 6’6 junior Joey Schlaffer is committed to Penn State. 6’3, 210-pound TE/LB J.R. Strauss is headed to Villanova. They’ve combined for 59 receptions and 13TD. Exeter is #8 in PennLive’s state rankings for 5A. Gov. Mifflin is #1. The (10-0) Mustangs have won 15 of the last 16 meetings with the Eagles, including a 54-21 rout on October 8th. Gov. Mifflin raced out to a 30-0 advantage, and outgained Exeter 383-146 on the ground. Nick Singleton ran for 248 yards and 4TD on 18 carries. The 218-pound PSU commit holds Berks County records for career rushing yards (6,286) and touchdowns (114). The Mustangs are averaging 49.7 points per game. They put up 63 on Warwick in the quarterfinals before taking care of Spring Grove 38-13 last week in Shillington. Berks Catholic transfer Aiden Gallen has been a force down the stretch of the season at fullback. He’s getting more touches while 215-pound senior Trey Rock continues to play through an ankle injury. Gov. Mifflin is looking for back-to-back championships. The Mustangs won the District 3-5A title last year when Warwick forfeited due to Covid-19 issues. Gov. Mifflin is (24-15) all-time in the District tournament.