No. 4 Reading High (14-8) vs. No. 5 Conrad Weiser (16-6)
When: Saturday, 11:00 a.m.
Where: Geigle Complex, Reading.
Previous matchups this season: Reading High defeated Conrad Weiser 57-40 on Jan. 9.
How the Red Knights got here: Steady upperclassmen leadership, ready-to-play underclassmen, a high power ranking. The Red Knights were in position to win Berks I before three straight losses to division opponents (Berks Catholic, Wilson, Gov. Mifflin) to end the regular season ruined that opportunity. Regardless, the Red Knights are here as a wildcard with the fourth-highest power rating in Berks, and will be a tough out. The Red Knights deploy the fourth-best offense in Berks, trailing only Mifflin, Wyomissing, and Wilson, at 49.7 ppg. Senior Yamilex Rodriguez has been the leader not only in the scoring and ball handling departments, but also leading by example in practice and attitude for Rashida Suber's Red Knights all season. Freshman guard Xiani Beatty has been a welcome addition to the varsity squad as a precocious guard to take pressure off both Rodriguez and senior wing Tamyia Collier. Junior JilliAnn Laws, senior Zaniaya Bradley, and junior Nayara Ortega all hover around 5-10 and provide size, defense, and timely scoring either on the wing or in the post. Senior guard Kailani Ocasio is the Red Knights best 3-point threat and senior wing Elyssa Spring gives rebounding and defense off the bench.
How the Scouts got here: Putting it all together, defense, a high power ranking. Along with Twin Valley, Conrad Weiser is the team that has made the biggest strides from last season to this season, flipping its record from 6-16 to 16-6. The Scouts didn't win the Berks II title or Berks I/II runner-up spot, but were still good enough to earn a wild-card position due to their power ranking. A huge factor in that was a 35-30 league crossover victory over Berks Catholic on Jan. 13, which was the first time the Scouts had beaten the Saints since 2015. That's the same year the Scouts last won a BCIAA playoff game. Another key factor was a stingy defense that allowed only 35.6 ppg, second-best in Berks. The team fits well together and first-year head coach Chris Kline, who has head coaching experience at Oley Valley and Fleetwood, is pressing the right buttons. Senior post Lauren Grabosky is a handful down low both in scoring and rebounding. Senior wing and Kent State softball commit Alex Trevena is a problem from deep. Sophomore wing Geniva Paul and senior wing Sydney Spang can get hot quickly. Senior guard Gisselle Feliciano is a great experienced glue piece to hold it all together. Sophomores Dylan Bossler and Macy Snyder have been Kline's top options off the bench. The Red Knights beat the Scouts soundly last time. Does Weiser have another Berks I upset in its pocket to continue its five-game winning streak?
Top Five Red Knights Scorers: Rodriguez (13.6), Collier (9.0), Beatty (7.5), Laws (4.9), Bradley (4.1).
Top Five Scouts Scorers: Grabosky (10.5), Paul (8.6), Trevena (8.5), Spang (5.8), Feliciano (4.6).
Last season’s Red Knights: No. 7 seed lost to Wyomissing 46-36 in BCIAA quarterfinals.
Last season’s Scouts: Did not qualify for the BCIAA playoffs.
BCIAA playoff appearances by Red Knights (in last 10 seasons): 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2015.
BCIAA playoff appearances by Scouts (in last 10 seasons): 2016, 2015.
County championships by Red Knights: Nine (2010, 2009, 2007, 2004, 2003, 2002, 1981, 1980, 1979).
County championship by Scouts: None.
Red Knights best win this season: 50-48 over Gov. Mifflin (14-8) Jan. 7.
Scouts best win this season: 35-30 over Berks Catholic (11-11) Jan. 13.
Winner plays: Wyomissing or Oley Valley, Feb. 12 at Santander Arena.
Comments