Carmelo Harper-Berks Catholic

Paul Roberts — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:18:43 +0000

Berks Catholic was the top seed entering the BCIAA playoffs last week. The Saints fell to Reading 48-41 in the semifinals at Santander Arena. That loss didn’t sit well with Carmelo Harper. “It really had me broken because we lost and my teammates weren’t happy. I feel like I let them down,” he said. The 5’10 freshman guard used that game as motivation. Harper scored a career-high 15 points in a 51-32 victory over eighth-seeded Bishop McDevitt in the District 3-4A quarterfinals. He knocked down three of of Berks Catholic’s eight 3-pointers at Lloyd Wolf Gymnasium. Harper doesn’t mind coming off the bench. “I get to see how the game is paced. Once I get in the game and I score, it slows down for me,” he explained. Brady Altimar also established a new career-high with a dozen points. The (19-5) Saints went scoreless for nearly five and a-half minutes before Altimar hit a triple from the left wing. The 5’9 junior followed with another trey. Berks Catholic led 8-7 after eight minutes. Altimar was 6-for-6 from the foul line in the fourth quarter. “He always finds his open teammates,” added Harper. Zach Suski drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key to give the Saints a 15-12 edge midway through the second quarter. The 6’ senior chipped in with eleven points. He was 4-of-5 from the charity stripe in the final period. Johnny Giesa splashed a triple to open the second half and put Berks Catholic in front 24-16. The 6’1 sophomore started in place of Gavin Welker. Welker, who averaged 8 ppg., isn’t eligible after transferring from Daniel Boone before the season. Bryce Gumby connected from long range with one minute remaining in the third quarter. The football standout gave the top-seeded Saints a 33-24 cushion entering the last period. A three-point play by Suski made it 40-26 with 4:15 to go. The (10-11) Crusaders have lost six of their last eight games. They were without leading scorer Damir Arp. The 6’3 freshman guard was academically ineligible. He averages 17 ppg. Berks Catholic participated in Bishop McDevitt’s Catholic Christmas Showcase where Arp poured in 26 points against Pittsburgh Central Catholic on December 27. Pat Denisco, a 5’10 junior, finished with a team-high twelve points. Max Henderson, a 6’6 senior, had six points. The Crusaders only hit two 3-pointers. They were 6-of-9 from the free throw line, while the Saints ended up 15-of-17. The top five teams in Class 4A qualify for the state tournament. Bishop McDevitt will have to win a pair of consolation games to advance. The Crusaders visit fourth-seeded Wyomissing on Monday. Kingston McKoy had a quiet night on Thursday. The All-State guard was limited to three points and didn’t make a field goal. McKoy leads Berks County in scoring at 21 ppg. The 6’2 junior was part of a terrific defensive effort. Bishop McDevitt didn’t reach ten points in any quarter. Head coach Snip Esterly earned his 834th career win over 36 seasons. He has always stressed hard-nosed, man-to-man defense. “Big time, we get screamed at a lot but it’s worth it,” replied Harper. The Saints host fifth-seeded Susquehanna Township in the semifinals on Monday at 7pm. Berks Catholic has already secured a berth in the PIAA-4A playoffs.

Matt Bauer-Exeter

Paul Roberts — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 06:04:54 +0000

Another outstanding season came to an end for Exeter on Friday night at ELCO High School. The eighth-seeded Eagles fell to sixth-seeded Bishop McDevitt 48-14 in the District 3-5A championship. Exeter reached the District 3 final for the third time in four years. “I’m so proud of what we’ve grown here and the culture, and the way these kids believe,” said head coach Matt Bauer. The (12-2) Eagles have won 106 games over the past twelve seasons. They were overmatched, however, by the (12-2) Crusaders. Bishop McDevitt earned its fourth straight District 3 title and 18th overall. “They’re physical and they’re well-coached. They’re fundamentally sound,” replied Bauer. The Crusaders marched 80 yards on their opening possession. Maurice Barnes’ 1-yard run capped the drive. The 6’2, 215-pound junior has several Division I offers including Penn State, Michigan, and Notre Dame. Bishop McDevitt covered 71 yards on its second series. Stone Saunders found Dominic Diaz-Ellis along the right sideline for a 9-yard touchdown pass and a 12-0 advantage. Riley Martinez was intercepted by defensive tackle Landon Blauch on a screen pass that ended the first quarter. Martinez, who suffered a fracture in his right leg in Week 7, split time at quarterback with lefty Jake Hafer. On fourth-and-7 from the 18-yard line, Saunders hit Diaz-Ellis for a nine yard gain. Nazir Jones-Davis then went up the middle for a 9-yard score. A two-point conversion pass to Diaz-Ellis made it 20-0 with 9:42 left in the first half. On the ensuing drive, All-State running back Jayden Zandier left the game after aggravating a right ankle injury that he’s been dealing with since early in the season. Zandier didn’t return. He holds the single season and career rushing records at Exeter. “He’s an amazing individual. I’m thankful to have been his coach. I can’t wait to see where he ends up at the next level,” replied Bauer. Jerome Larue Jr. took the second half kickoff 86 yards down the left sideline. The speedy freshman already has an offer from Syracuse. He put the Crusaders in front 26-0. Diaz-Ellis made a sweet diving grab for a 21-yard touchdown with five and a-half minutes to go in the third quarter. The 6’, 175-pound senior finished with ten receptions for 110 yards and 2 TD. Saunders was an efficient 14-of-18 for 163 yards. The Kentucky commit is up to 199 career touchdown passes, a state record. He has thrown for more than 13,000 yards. After an interception by Tyler Reinhart, Jones-Davis ripped off a 32-yard score down the left sideline for a 42-0 lead. The 180-pound junior had 122 yards on 13 carries. Early in the fourth quarter, sophomore Jaeden Chase scooped up an Eagles’ fumble and raced 99 yards for a touchdown. Exeter got on the board with eight minutes to play. Martinez went up top to 6’1 junior Jayden Ware for a 72-yard score. Genuine Stutzman added a 1-yard TD run for the Eagles with eight seconds left. Stutzman is one of 16 seniors on the roster. “We had seven captains this year. We probably could’ve had ten. These kids really pulled for one another and were very unselfish,” said Bauer.

McDevitt – Berks Sports Report

Carmelo Harper-Berks Catholic

Matt Bauer-Exeter