As expected, the West Reading League final was tight from the opening tip until the last minute. Wilson and Cedar Crest were knotted at 10-10 after the first quarter. Colin Legath hit a 3-pointer from the left wing before the buzzer to put Wilson in front 20-18 at halftime. The rising sophomore hit three triples and finished with a team-high eleven points.

Cedar Crest was within 31-30 after the third quarter. Point guard Nechar Mercado had a nifty pass to Gabe Nyembo for a layup with 4:35 left. The 6’5 Nyembo gave Wilson a 36-32 edge. He ended up with eight points and Mercado chipped in with seven. Jaiden Whitehurst, a physical rising sophomore, added nine points.

Jaden Truss, a 6’3 rising sophomore, responded with a key 3-pointer from the left wing. That sparked a 11-0 run for Cedar Crest. A transition bucket by Antonio Tirado made it 39-36 with 3:02 remaining. Tirado and Truss contributed ten points apiece. The score remained 39-36 for the next two and a-half minutes. Truss went 0-for-2 at the free throw line with 33 seconds to go which kept it a one possession game. Whitehurst attempted a 3-pointer, but Jemar Pauleus blocked the shot and scored on a fast break for a 41-36 advantage. Steven Reyes tacked on a layup at the buzzer for a 43-36 victory. The rising junior guard had seven points in a balanced attack for Cedar Crest. “We were able to get defensive stops and get out and play in transition. That’s our best style of play. Slow us up and we struggle,” explained Smith. Wilson was outscored 13-to-5 in the fourth quarter.

Pauleus, a 6’2 guard, provided a game-high 13 points. The rising junior averaged 16.8 points during the 2025-26 season. “He’s a special, special kid. I think when he graduates from Cedar Crest, he’ll be our all-time leading scorer. He does so much else than just score the ball. His vision is great. The sky is the limit, he’s got a great work ethic,” said Smith. Pauleus took home the Terry Brennan Memorial Most Outstanding Player Award.

It was a fun night for Cedar Crest as Reyes was named the MVP of the Kyle Conrad Memorial All-Star Game. The West Reading League recognized its standout players at halftime of the all-star game on Thursday. Nyembo earned the Woozy Smith Memorial Most Improved Player Award. Brady Eisenhower of Wyomissing was selected for the Bill Snider Best Defensive Player Award.

Smith was glad that he brought his team back to the West Reading League. “I love this league. We got away from it, not too sure why. I felt like we really had a good team to compete this year,” replied Smith. He added, “Playing against all these Berks County teams really sets the tone for the season, and lets you see where the heck are you at. I think it was great for us.”

Wilson, sponsored by Apella Wealth, and Berks Catholic, sponsored by Berks Packing, squared off in the second semifinal. Carmelo Harper, Berks Catholic’s top player, arrived late and Snip Esterly’s team struggled in the first half. They were limited to five points in the opening quarter. Wilson built a 20-7 cushion in the second period and led 25-13 at halftime. Jaiden Whitehurst, a rising sophomore who also plays football, set the tone with his physicality. He scored seven of his game-high 13 points in the first quarter. Wilson was in front 31-25 after the third period. Berks Catholic continued to battle and got within 31-29 early in the fourth quarter. They trailed 33-31 with two and a-half minutes on the clock. Wilson sealed the win with a 8-to-2 run. Gabe Nyembo grabbed an offensive rebound and converted a three-point play with 51 seconds left. The 6’4 rising junior gave Wilson a 40-31 edge. He ended up with eight points in Wilson’s 41-33 victory. Kaler Cornish provided six points. Luke Linderman had a team-high twelve points for Berks Catholic. It was a quiet night for Harper who scored seven points. Johnny Giesa added six points.

Wilson will face Cedar Crest at 5:25pm on Thursday for the West Reading League title. The All-Star Game will follow the championship game.