Xiani Beatty-Reading

Reading surprised a lot of people by beating top-seeded Wyomissing 40-38 in the BCIAA semifinals. The Spartans had won the previous two Berks County titles. The Red Knights weren’t satisfied with just reaching the championship game at Santander Arena. “We didn’t fight all the way just to lose in the game that counted the most. We had to come back and we did,” said Xiani Beatty. The 5’6 freshman guard had a team-high 16 points in a thrilling 63-57 victory over Gov. Mifflin. Beatty scored eight points in the fourth quarter, including two free throws with 25 seconds left that gave Reading a 62-57 advantage. Tamyia Collier had only made seven 3-pointers all season entering Friday night. The 5’9 senior hit a triple from the right corner with one and a-half minutes remaining. Collier put the fourth-seeded Red Knights on top 60-57. “She was clutch,” replied Beatty. Brooklyn George and Bella Super misfired on 3-point attempts on the ensuing possession. Beatty’s foul shots then made it a two possession game. The third-seeded Mustangs led 16-12 after eight minutes and 21-16 in the second quarter. Reading responded with a 6-0 run, but Gov. Mifflin went into halftime with a 32-31 edge. The (17-8) Red Knights trailed 49-45 after the third quarter. Saray Renninger converted a three-point play early in the fourth period. The 5’11 freshman, who provided eight points, put the Mustangs in front 52-49. A floater by Yamilex Rodriguez capped a 6-0 run for the Red Knights. Super answered with a trey to even it at 55-55 with three and a-half minutes to go. The 5’7 sophomore erupted for 28 points. Super connected on four of her team’s six 3-pointers. She went 12-for-18 from the foul line. Collier broke the tie with three minutes to play, however, Bridget Martin’s layup knotted the contest at 57-57. That set the stage for Collier’s pivotal shot from beyond the arc. She’s one of five seniors on Reading’s roster and all five contribute. “It feels amazing, especially knowing that they’ve been wanting this moment for four years and they finally got this feeling,” said Beatty. The Red Knights claimed their tenth BCIAA championship and first since 2010. Collier (13) and fellow senior Zaniaya Bradley (10) combined for 23 points. Bradley was a force on the offensive glass as Gov. Mifflin struggled to rebound without Mia Vasquez. The 5’11 senior center also missed the semifinals due to a medical issue. The Mustangs’ starters played almost the entire game. Martin chipped in with nine points before fouling out late. Jayda Armstrong knocked down a couple of triples and finished with eight points. Gov. Mifflin was 21-of-29 from the charity stripe, while Reading went 6-of-12. Rodriguez had eight points and JilliAnn Laws added seven. Head coach Rashida Suber guided the Red Knights to a Berks County title in her fifth season at the helm. “She’s a great coach, great person. She inspires me in many ways,” stated Beatty. Reading and the (16-9) Mustangs are headed to the District 3-6A tournament which begins on Monday. Gov. Mifflin visits fifth-seeded Central Dauphin and Reading travels to fourth-seeded Mechanicsburg.