Yadiel Cruz’s two free throws with 2.9 seconds left in OT lift the Red Knights over Cumberland Valley
In a season during which Reading High has not suffered a loss to a team from Pennsylvania, the Red Knights needed every ounce of resilience to keep that streak alive at Giant Center Thursday.
With his team down one to Cumberland Valley with 10.9 seconds left in overtime, Reading High coach Rick Perez called a timeout to talk things over. The idea for the ensuing play was simple.
“The plan was to get it to Ruben (Rodriguez) and have Ruben do what’s best for the team,” Perez said.
The two-time reigning Berks Player of the Year did exactly that.
After receiving an inbound pass near halfcourt, Rodriguez drove through multiple defenders on his way to the basket before selflessly dishing to an open Yadiel Cruz under the rim.
Cruz was fouled while going for the game-winning layup and calmly sank both free throws with 2.9 seconds left to lift the top-seeded Red Knights over the second-seeded Eagles 55-54 in the District 3 Class 6A championship game and to their third straight title.
“I just tried to get past their zone, get to the second level of the defense, and when I saw their big step up I had to dump it down to Yadiel,” Rodriguez said. “I have so much trust in him.”
Rodriguez said Cruz, in his first season at Reading High since moving from the Dominican Republic, showed zero nerves as he stepped to the line with a packed crowd roaring behind him.
“I swear to God, he was laughing the whole time,” Rodriguez said. “He was laughing the whole time while the crowd was yelling. Not a lot of people can do that. So that goes to show you how special he is and what type of player he is.”
After Cruz made the first free throw to tie it at 53-53, Cumberland Valley (21-4) called a timeout to prepare for its final possession. This sideline discussion was even simpler for Perez as he knew it was time for his team to keep faith in a higher power.
“God was present,” Perez said. “We said a little prayer. I went and continued that prayer. So you know, Yadiel is a firm believer, and we just wanted to make sure that he knew that He (God) was right there with him no matter what. This was already written.
“I told him God is here with you. Like I said, he’s a firm believer, you know, he knows that God is always present. He’s been through so much, and what a story here with Yadiel Cruz going to the line. He came over and he smiled after they called the timeout after he made his first one, and I knew it was over.”
Dylan Levis was able to get a fullcourt shot off before time expired but it hit the backboard and never the rim.
The district title is Reading High’s record 24th. The Red Knights also became the first team to win three straight championships in the district’s largest classification since they did it from 1955-57.
Cruz, a junior who finished with eight points, came up big for Reading High (27-1) to help force overtime when he made 1-of-2 from the line to tie it at 49-49 with 20.9 seconds left.
The win gives Ruben Rodriguez his fourth district gold medal (three with Reading High, one with Muhlenberg).
Heading into the state tournament, Ruben Rodriguez said he knows that the trophy collection tor the Red Knights still has room for more hardware. Reading High will open states Saturday, March 11, at the Geigle against the 12th-place team from District 1.
“I’m happy we got our second championship (of the season),” said Rodriguez. “This is what we do, this is what we plan for and now we got states.”