Reading boys, Berks Catholic girls lock up county titles
The Reading boys basketball team was lights out during the Berks Conference championship on Friday, Feb. 17.
So lights out, that the Santander Arena lost power for a nearly an hour and 45 minutes midway through the second quarter. Reading used a 19-point advantage during the second half to claim a 61-39 win over Berks Catholic for the Red Knights’ third consecutive Berks Conference title.
Top-ranked Reading (23-2) was the top seed from Berks Conference I while No. 2 Berks Catholic (19-6) was the top seed from Berks Conference II.
Tyrone Nesby — who played for Berks Catholic in their championship loss to Reading last season — sparked the Knights with a game-high 17 points including a pair of 3-pointers early in the fourth quarter. Wesley Butler finished with 13 points on 5-for-5 shooting from the free throw line while Xavier Starks had nine points. Hector Dixon and Miami University recruit Lonnie Walker each finished with eight.
The win stands as Reading’s 20th in a row dating back to a 62-51 loss against Chester during Christmas week.
The Saints led shortly during the second half before Reading rallied.
Bryce Calloway paced Berks Catholic with 12 points while Luis Garcia finished with eight. Casey Jack had seven points with a 3-pointer.
Both teams will now shift focus to the upcoming District III boys basketball playoffs.
Benefitting from a first round bye, top- seeded Reading will host the winner of No. 8 Cedar Crest and No. 9 Central York in the quarterfinal round of the District Three Class 6A bracket on Friday, Feb. 24.
As the top seed in the Class 4A bracket, Berks Catholic will host the winner of No. 8 Schuylkill Valley and No. 9 Biglerville on Thursday, Feb. 23.
Girls basketball
The Berks Catholic girls basketball team locked up the program’s first county title with a 58-36 win over Wilson West Lawn on Friday, Feb. 17 at the Santander Arena.
Berks Catholic (14-11) outscored Wilson (14-10) all four quarters, doing the most damage with a 22-12 advantage during the second frame.
Dejah Terrell led the way with 22 points while Taylor Blunt followed with 14 points, including four 3-pointers. Taylor Dimmlerling finished with nine points and a pair from 3-point land.
Entering the playoffs as the conference’s No. 7 seed (No. 2 seed from Berks Conference II), Berks Catholic posted upsets over Gov. Miff lin and Fleetwood en route to the title. No. 5 seeded Wilson (No. 3 seed out of Berks Conference III) upset Twin Valley then Wyomissing before Friday.
Zakiyah Winfield paced Wilson with 14 points while Jordan Holman scored all nine of her points from be-
yond the 3-point arc.
As the No. 8 seed in the upcoming District Three Class 4A playoffs, Berks Catholic will take on No. 9 seed Susquehanna Township in the opening round on Tuesday, Feb. 21. Seeded No. 12 in the Class 6A playoffs, Wilson will take on No. 5 Cedar Cliff in the first round on Monday, Feb. 20.