DOMINATING WITH ‘D’
Wyomissing holds Exeter to a season-low point total in a 59-26 Berks quarterfinal win
In the opening round of the Berks Girls Basketball League playoffs, Wyomissing showed why it had the No. 1 defense in the county during the regular season.
The Spartans’ defense was stifling, holding Exeter to a season low in points to secure a 59-26 win in a quarterfinal on Saturday at Wyomissing.
“Every day we improve,” Spartans sophomore Amaya Stewart said. “It means the world to me that we got past this round and we’re headed to the Santander Arena.”
Led by Stewart, Wyomissing’s defense in the paint was stout, forcing Exeter (11-12) away from the basket. The Eagles finished with just 10 field goals, three of them from beyond the arc.
“We’re just looking to disrupt as much as possible on the defensive end,” Spartans coach Aaron Anders said. “It’s just working for us right now.”
Wyomissing (21-2) began the game on a 9-2 run and led 28-12 at the half. The Spartans played at a raucous pace, forcing turnovers that led to easy layups.
“Defense makes offense,” Stewart said. “Our rotations have gotten a lot better.”
Wyomissing began the second half on a 15-4 run to put it out of reach. A running clock was instituted in the fourth quarter as a result of the Spartans’ 35-point lead.
“(Last year), we weren’t slowing down and controlling the tempo (on offense),” Anders said. “This year, we’re doing that, and I’m really excited about that.”
Stewart led Wyomissing with 17 points, while senior teammate Lexi Loeb had 12 points on a team-high four 3-pointers. Junior Grace Reedy led Exeter with 17 points.
“Playing together definitely helped us a lot,” Loeb said. “We were talking a lot on defense, really moving together.”
The Spartans advance to the Berks semifinals — which are set for Tuesday night at Santander Arena — for the first time since 2021. They will face either Wilson or Gov. Mifflin. Wyomissing lost to Berks Catholic in the 2021 championship game.
“I’m really excited,” Loeb said. “I hope we can make it all the way.”
Despite having the county’s No. 1 scoring offense and defense, the Spartans believe they have not yet hit their full potential.
“This was not our best game,” Stewart said. “We have not reached our best game.”