West Reading League Semifinals

The West Reading Basketball League semifinals took place Wednesday evening and both games came down to the fourth quarter. Cedar Crest, sponsored by Blue Bird Inn, was slow out of the gate. Exeter, sponsored by Dulin’s Tire & Service, raced out to a 8-0 advantage. Cedar Crest responded with a 13-to-4 run to close the opening quarter. Exeter knocked down four 3-pointers in the first half and led 25-19 at the break. They were even at 32-32 entering the fourth quarter. Nick Kozik hit a short jumper off the glass to make it 43-43 with 1:16 remaining. Jemar Pauleus, a rising junior, drove down the right side of the lane with 30 seconds left. Pauleus, who averaged 16.8 points last season, found Steven Reyes along the baseline. Reyes caught the pass in mid-air and scored with 27 seconds to go. Exeter’s Ayden Jackson was fouled at the buzzer with Cedar Crest on top 45-43. Jackson made the first free throw, but missed his second attempt as Exeter came up short 45-44. Jackson finished with a game-high 13 points. Kozik and 6’2 rising freshman Mukeh George added eight points apiece. Reyes had eleven points to lead a balanced attack for Cedar Crest. Antonio Tirado (10) and Pauleus (8) combined for 18 points. J’Cian Gentry chipped in with seven points. Exeter managed just one 3-pointer in the second half.

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.