Weshly Rosario-Reading

Weshly Rosario is known for his great court vision and flashy passes. On Thursday evening, the 6’ junior guard decided to flip the script. “I changed today because they know I pass the basketball so I was looking more to score,” he explained. Rosario finished with a career-high 28 points in Reading’s 88-80 victory over Muhlenberg at the Geigle Complex. He had eleven points in the fourth quarter including two pivotal plays. With three and a-half minutes remaining, Rosario drilled a 3-pointer from the right corner to put the Red Knights on top 73-67. On their next possession, he converted a three-point play for a 76-67 advantage. Xavier Beatty provided the exclamation point with a one-handed dunk that sent the crowd into a frenzy. “Oh my God, that was crazy. That was amazing. I got excited,” said Rosario. Beatty, a 6’3 senior forward, contributed a dozen points off the bench. Reading raced out to a 7-0 lead. Blake Adams, a 6’9 junior transfer from Nativity, picked up two fouls in 90 seconds. However, the Red Knights were still in front 21-18 after the opening quarter. Adams was playing in just his fourth game after winning an appeal on his eligibility. The Muhls reeled off the last eight points of the first half and trimmed their deficit to 40-39 at the break. The offensive explosion continued in the second half. Reading had a 63-57 edge after the third quarter. A total of 48 points were scored in the final eight minutes. Michael Miller hit a triple with 5:45 left to bring Muhlenberg within 68-66. The 6’ junior forward made four of the Muhls’ eleven treys. Miller, who averages seven points, ended up with 14. All-County guard Shermar Killen dropped a team-high 23 points and LJ Armstrong added 18. Jayden Kantner was a spark off the bench with 15 points. Both teams were very good from the free throw line. Reading went 30-for-36, while Muhlenberg was 17-for-23. Rosario attacked the basket repeatedly and was rewarded. He shot 14-of-15 from the charity stripe. Rosario also sank both of the Red Knights’ 3-pointers. He was setting up his teammates as well. Rosario dished out nine assists. Reading prefers to create off the dribble than dial long distance. Sophomore guard Jostin DeCastro provided 20 points and senior Kahlil Samuel finished with 15. The (13-5, 5-4) Muhls saw their five-game winning streak come to an end. The (8-10, 4-4) Red Knights have won four in a row, including an impressive 44-41 victory over Central Dauphin on Saturday. After a tough start to the season, Reading is in desperation mode to qualify for the Berks County playoffs. The Red Knights have the lowest power ranking of the five teams in Division 1. They’re behind Wilson, Berks Catholic, Muhlenberg, and Gov. Mifflin with four games to go. Reading hasn’t missed the BCIAA tournament since 1997. “We talk about it every day. If we go to County’s, they better be ready because we’re coming for everybody,” stated Rosario.