Fleetwood wins to clinch Berks III title

Tigers' Aiden Soumas scores a career-high 26 points in the win over the Panthers

Fleetwood started the fourth quarter with a decisive run to defeat Schuylkill Valley 78-63 in a Berks Conference game Friday at Fleetwood and clinch a second straight Berks III title.

The Tigers led just 4845 before opening the fourth with a 12-2 run to go up 60-47. Aiden Soumas scored eight of his career-high 26 points in the final quarter for the Tigers, who outscored the Panthers 30-18 to put it out of reach.

“We don’t let up,” Fleetwood coach Terry Sitler said. “The fourth quarter comes and we just take over. They were a solid team and it was good winning the division on our home court.”

Nate Herb and Jake Karnish each scored seven in the fourth quarter for Fleetwood (9-0, 18-1).

In the first quarter, Herb scored the team’s first eight points as the

Tigers took an 8-2 lead. The quarter closed with Karnish throwing a fullcourt pass to Soumas, who scored on a layup to put Fleetwood up 26-15.

The Panthers (6-3, 12-5) were able to get back in it in the second quarter.

Elijah Houser scored eight of his 19 points in the quarter for Schuylkill Valley and led his team on a 12-4 run before Soumas hit a 3-pointer shot on the half’s final possession to give Fleetwood 37-33 lead.

The third quarter was a low-scoring, defensive battle. Liam Hilburt made two 3-point shots to give Tigers the 48-45 lead.

“We had trouble stopping them on defense in the first three quarters,” Soumas said. “We couldn’t stop their penetration and they were getting outside shots. But in the fourth quarter, we were able to take that away and get fastbreak points, which led to the win.”

That is when Fleetwood was able to put together its run, during which three Tigers scored. Schuylkill Valley didn’t come within 10 points after that.

“He’s been stepping up this year,” Sitler said of Soumas. “All-around player, shooter, and defense. He does not want to lose and wills the team. He’s a great team captain.”

Herb scored 22 points and Karnish had 14.

Dominic Giuffre finished with 18 points for the Panthers. Mark Rajnath had 10.