Gov. Mifflin finished atop the Division 1 standings in the Berks League as many expected. The Mustangs rumbled over Berks Catholic 11-1 in six innings to claim their 16th BCIAA crown. They made history by winning the first District 3 title in program history. Gov. Mifflin took down Cedar Cliff 6-1 in the Class 6A Championship. Ethan Grim struck out 13 that night and reached 300 career strikeouts. The (26-2) Mustangs fell short of their ultimate goal, a second straight state title. They lost 1-0 to Liberty in a gut-wrenching PIAA-6A quarterfinal. A senior class that included Grim, Bryce Detwiler, Travis Jenkins, Matt Koehler, Branson Adams, Billy Angstadt, Dylan Barrett, and Reese Hohl will be very difficult to replace.

Berks Catholic was the last team standing from Berks County. The Saints reached the BCIAA Championship as a #7 seed. They earned their third District 3 championship by blanking top-seeded Bermudian Springs 8-0 in the Class 3A Final. Berks Catholic then advanced to the state semifinals for the first time. The (20-8) Saints were up 3-1 on Mount Carmel in the 6th inning before falling 4-3 at Wenger Field. Berks Catholic lost its top two pitchers to graduation in Trey Stricker and Mikey Fidler.

Fleetwood came up short against Exeter 4-1 in the BCIAA quarterfinals, but the Tigers bounced back. They outlasted West Perry 8-7 in 13 innings to finish third in the District 3-4A playoffs. That marathon victory put Fleetwood in the state tournament for the third time in four seasons. The (16-8) Tigers knocked off District 12 champ Archbishop Ryan 3-1 in the opening round. Fleetwood lost to Montoursville 6-4 in the quarterfinals. Wylie Loy and Gabe Seidel are two players to keep an eye on in 2026.

Wilson featured some of the top hurlers in the county this year, but the Bulldogs had a disappointing postseason. They entered the Berks League playoffs as the #2 seed, however, Berks Catholic upset Wilson 3-1 in the quarterfinals. The (14-8) Bulldogs then saw their season end with an agonizing 6-4 loss at home to Ephrata in the District 3-6A quarterfinals. The Mounts, who were down to their final out, scored three runs in the 7th. The good news in West Lawn is that Ben Kulp, Jack Gabel, and Ryan Marmolejos all return.

Exeter went (16-8) in Justin Freese’s 30th year at the helm in Reiffton. The Eagles dropped a nailbiter to Gov. Mifflin 2-1 in the BCIAA semifinals at FirstEnergy Stadium. Exeter was the #4 seed in the District 3-5A bracket. The Eagles lost to #12 seed Conestoga Valley 7-6 in eight innings in an excruciating quarterfinal. Exeter was in front 5-0 after the 6th. Jake Hafer, Brandon Weller, Kamren Martin, Jake Franek, and Brenton Feathers should form a solid corps next spring.

Twin Valley won the Division 2 title in the Berks League, but the season ended abruptly for the Raiders. They lost 8-7 to sixth-seeded Wyomissing in the BCIAA quarterfinals. Conestoga Valley went to Elverson and left with a 9-5 win in the first round of the District 3-5A playoffs. Twin Valley settled for a (13-8) record. The Raiders had a very promising sophomore group that included Grant Moser, Brody Majeski, Nate DiRocco, Jayce Oliver, and Luke Raines. They will be joined by All-County selection Nate Lord next year.

Former Oley Valley standout Seth Brizek took over as head coach of the Lynx in 2025. He guided Oley to a (13-8) mark. The Lynx tied Kutztown for first place in Division 4 at (7-4). Oley Valley didn’t, however, qualify for the Berks County playoffs. They got tripped up by unbeaten East Pennsboro 3-1 in the District 3-4A quarterfinals.

Tim Mertz wrapped up his 25th season as the skipper in Kutztown. The Cougars wound up (13-9) giving Mertz 375 career wins, a school record. They fell to Gov. Mifflin 10-2 in the Berks League quarterfinals. Kutztown traveled to Wyomissing for a wild District 3-3A quarterfinal. The Cougars trailed 11-0 before forcing extra innings. The Spartans eventually pulled out a 13-12 victory in eight frames.

Wyomissing and Berks Catholic tied atop Division 3 at (9-3). Nick Wojciechowski led the Spartans to the BCIAA and District 3-3A semifinals in his first year as head coach. They lost to rival Berks Catholic 11-6 in the county playoffs. Bermudian Springs eliminated Wyomissing 12-2 in the District 3 tournament. The Spartans improved dramatically from (8-12) in 2024 to (15-8). Ryan Graham, Noah Rauenzahn, Parker LaFerriere, Zander Westwood, Teddy White, and Chase Bailey will all be back next spring.

Muhlenberg didn’t make the Berks League playoffs, but the (11-9) Muhls gave fifth-seeded Ephrata a battle in the District 3-6A bracket. The Mounts came out on top 2-0 in that first round affair. Brian Kopetsky will be entering his 27th season as head coach in 2025.

Wilson is the defending BCIAA champion and the consensus favorite in the county this season. The Bulldogs have cut the nets down three times over the past five years at Santander Arena. They return four starters and several key reserve players. Wilson pushed back its opener against Central Dauphin due to another lengthy football season. Madyx Gruber, Correll Akings, Mike Glover, Cam Zullinger, and Christo Hunsicker will all be making a quick transition from the gridiron. The Bulldogs had a great summer on the court. They didn’t lose a single game in the West Reading and Cedar Beach Leagues.

Reading is searching for its 26th Berks County title since 1980. It will be difficult to replace All-State selection Yadiel Cruz and his 22 points per game. Jeremiah Camara, the son of head coach Francis Camara, and Weshly Rosario return in the backcourt. The big question is when will 6’10 junior Blake Adams be able to play for the Red Knights. Nativity still hasn’t signed off on his transfer. Adams averaged nearly nine points, eight rebounds, and three blocks there a season ago. The good news is Kahlil Samuel has returned to Reading from New York, and there are a couple of young players to keep an eye on. Freshman Cameron “Bron Bron” Jones and sophomore Jostin DeCastro are names to remember.

Berks Catholic has the top player in the county and a coach with 815 career wins. Snip Esterly is preparing for his 36th year as a head coach. He will rely on 6’2 junior guard Kingston McKoy. The All-State pick has made a full recovery from a fractured tibia that occurred on January 23rd versus Reading. McKoy is an elite defender who can score at all three levels. The Saints will have some newcomers in the mix. Freshman guard Carmelo Harper opened eyes this summer and 6’2 junior forward Gavin Welker transferred from Daniel Boone. In addition, football standout Bryce Gumby has decided to play basketball again.

A nice collection of talent has assembled in Laureldale over the past few years. Freddy Lacey, a transfer from Daniel Boone, is the most recent to join the Muhls. All-County guard Shermar Killen is poised for a big senior season. Eli Hemmings is one of the top sophomores in the area. Jayden Kantner and L.J. Armstrong will help Muhlenberg to push the tempo, while Mike Miller provides a physical presence. The Muhls are always a dangerous opponent, especially in their gym.

Exeter has won 46 games over the past two seasons. The Eagles, however, lost three significant pieces to graduation in Kevin Saenz, Reece Garvin, and Alex Kelsey. Saenz was arguably the most versatile player in the county last year. Exeter will have a strong football flavor on its roster. Aidan Dauble, Carter Redding, Jayden Ware, and Braylon Reinert could all be in the starting lineup. They’re joined by a terrific long range shooter in Brady Murray.

There’s optimism in Shillington this winter. The Mustangs expect to improve upon a (8-14) record. They had ten juniors on the team last season. They’re all back with the exception of UConn baseball commit Bryce Detwiler. Former All-County guard Garrett Etzel returned to Gov. Mifflin as its head coach. Etzel was at the helm in Wyomissing last year. Matt Koehler, Andrew Galantuomo, Stephen Mayo, and Jahmair Johnson form an experienced nucleus for the Mustangs.

Speaking of experience, Conrad Weiser has seven seniors on its squad this year. Donovan Gingrich and Brady McKee have become household names in Robesonia. Gingrich holds the school record for 3-pointers in a career. McKee is a point guard with the ability to score. Evan Miller is back after not playing last season. He had shoulder surgery following the 2023 football season. All-State soccer player Gavin Rapp will also give the Scouts some size. Once again, Conrad Weiser has a new head coach. Joey Negron is in charge after being an assistant to Mike Dooley a season ago. Marquis Marshall, the son of longtime NBA player Donyell Marshall, has joined the Scouts’ staff.

Wyomissing has a new head coach as well. Konlan Krick is now leading the Spartans into battle. He was an assistant at Exeter for the previous seven years. Danny Fleischood is Wyomissing’s #1 scoring option. The 6’1 guard averaged a dozen points as a sophomore. The Spartans also have an outstanding all-around athlete in Justice Hardy (Football/Track), and a 3-point threat in Dylan Latourelle.

Schuylkill Valley, Oley Valley, and Antietam are other teams to watch. The Panthers went (15-7) last season and return three starters in Luke Spotts, Kowen Gerner, and Cooper Hohenadel. That trio helped Schuylkill Valley capture the Section 5 football championship in the Lancaster-Lebanon League this fall. Ben DeBalko knocked down 63 treys for the (12-11) Lynx a season ago. He led the county in that department. Antietam only had one senior on its roster last year when the Mounts finished (12-12). They qualified for the BCIAA and District 3 playoffs. Fleetwood won 20 games last season, but the Tigers must replace all five starters.

Without further ado, here is my preseason poll for the Berks Conference. The records listed below are from 2023-24. Remember that no matter where your favorite team is ranked, the sun will come out tomorrow!

“The Great 8”

1.Wilson (17-9)

2.Reading (22-11)

3.Berks Catholic (23-5)

4.Muhlenberg (16-12)

5.Exeter (19-10)

6.Gov. Mifflin (8-14)

7.Conrad Weiser (8-14)

8.Wyomissing (11-11)