Boys basketball: Berks I team-by-team breakdown

By Mike Drago Last updated Dec 9, 2021

Coach: Rick Perez, 11th season, 223-69.
Last season: 11-1 Berks I co-champ, 26-2 overall, District 3 and PIAA champ.
District 3 classification: 6A.
Last District 3 playoff appearance/victory: 2021/2021.
Key loss: All-State C Moro Osumanu.
Top players: All-State 6-1 junior G Ruben Rodriguez, third-team All-State 6-4 senior F Daniel Alcantara, all-division 6-1 senior PG Joey Chapman.
Key players: 5-11 junior G Myles Grey, 6-2 senior F Xavier Davis, 6-4 junior G Aris Rodriguez, 6-1 junior F Amier Burdine, 6-1 senior G Justin Walker, 5-11 senior G DeShawn Wilson, 6-3 sophomore F Malik Osumanu.
Outlook: Red Knights are simply loaded. Eight of top 10 scorers from state championship return, including a pair of All-State picks. Not a lot of size but that didn’t deter them last season. Finding a true post player to replace Moro Osumanu will be difficult, if not impossible. Still, there’s no reason to think they aren’t the favorite in District 3 and a top contender for the state title.

Coach: Snip Esterly, 11th season, 204-74 (746-207 overall, including 22 seasons at Central Catholic).
Last season: 4-8 Berks I, 6-11 overall.
PIAA Classification: 4A.
Last District 3 playoff appearance/victory: 2020/2020.
Key losses: None.
Top players: All-division 5-10 junior PG Josiah Jordan, 6-3 senior F Ryan Koch.
Key players: 6-3 senior F Aidan Sands, 6-3 senior C/F Tyler Givens, 5-10 junior G Jack Miller, 6-1 senior C/F Aron Reinhart, 5-10 senior G Kevin Lawlor, 6-0 sophomore G Parker Nein, 6-1 senior C Nathen Doyle.
Outlook: Saints experienced their first losing season but should rebound in a big way this season, with all the key parts still intact. Snip Esterly says this is potentially the best-shooting team he’s ever had. Combine that with the defense and speed of Josiah Jordan and they should find their way back to the playoffs.

Coach: Matt Coldren, 21st season, 357-167.
Last season: 11-1 Berks I co-champ, Berks Conference champ, 20-2 overall.
District 3 classification: 6A.
Last District 3 playoff appearance/victory: 2021/2021.
Key losses: All-State G Stevie Mitchell, All-Berks G Christian Vazquez.
Top player: 5-11 junior G Cameron Jones.
Key players: 6-3 junior C Ofure Odiale, 6-3 senior F Foday Sillah, 5-9 junior G Cleveland Harding, 6-0 senior G Keegan Coldren, 6-2 junior F Aidan Melograna, 6-1 junior F Nick Weitzel.
Outlook: No one in the league lost as much as the Bulldogs, who must replace two All-Berks picks, including the greatest player in program history. Cameron Jones figures to emerge as one of the league’s top all-around players, and there’s nice length to complement him.

Coach: Matt Ashcroft, third season, 16-23.
Last season: 2-10 Berks I, 3-14 overall.
District 3 classification: 5A.
Last District 3 playoff appearance/victory: 2018/2014.
Key loss: All-division F Adam Wanner.
Top players: 6-2 senior G Colin Payne, 6-6 junior F Joey Schlaffer.
Key players: 6-1 junior G Teddy Snyder, 6-6 junior C Anthony Caccese, 5-9 junior PG Zyion Paschall, 6-3 sophomore G Kevin Saenz, 6-2 sophomore G Reece Garvin, 6-3 junior F Trevor Keperling, sophomore point guard Alex Kelsey.
Outlook: Eagles went through some difficult growing pains last season. They return their top two scorers, in Colin Payne (14.5) and Joey Schlaffer (10.7), and top two outside threats, in Payne (28 3’s) and Teddy Snyder (25 3’s), who came on strong late in his sophomore season. As much length as any team in the division.

Coach: Kyle Conrad, fourth season, 35-34.
Last season: 6-6 Berks I, 9-9 overall.
District 3 classification: 6A.
Last District 3 playoff appearance/victory: 2020/2020.
Key losses: All-division G Greg Suber, all-division C Justin Spotts.
Top player: 6-3 senior F Matt Harley.
Key players: 5-11 junior G Delsin McNeil, 6-2 senior F Mason Woolwine, 6-1 junior F Gerrell McNeil, 6-6 sophomore F Bailey Ziolkowski, 6-4 senior F Xavier Price, 6-1 junior G Tyler Minick, 5-11 senior G Aaryan Kapoor, 5-11 junior G Christian Massillon.
Outlook: Mustangs graduated four starters and five of top seven scorers from a team that struggled to put points on the board. Matt Harley returns as top outside threat after making 16 3’s in 18 games. Lineup around him is athletic but unproven at this level.