Top seed in BCIAA girls tourney remains up for grabs after loss by Saints

By Mike Drago Last updated Feb 9, 2022

Seven of the eight spots in the BCIAA girls basketball tournament have been secured but the No. 1 seed remains up for grabs after Berks Catholic’s overtime loss to Wilson Monday night.

With two days remaining before the cutoff deadline the Saints (.741) have a slim lead over Schuylkill Valley (.735) in power rating, which will be used to seed the playoff qualifiers from one through eight.

The quarterfinals are Saturday, at the site of the higher-seeded team.

Berks Catholic (18-4), Twin Valley (14-6), Schuylkill Valley (19-1) and Brandywine Heights (17-3) have clinched the four division titles and automatic playoff berths. Wilson (14-5) has clinched the Berks I-II runner-up spot. Wyomissing (13-8) has clinched the Berks III-IV runner-up spot.

The remaining two wild card spots go to the teams with the highest power rating. Gov. Mifflin (.676) will secure the first of those. The second remains tightly contested between Fleetwood (.586) and Reading High (.570), according to unofficial figures posted on the District 3 website earlier today.

Reading High (10-10) has two games remaining: Tuesday vs. Harrisburg (8-10) and Wednesday at Gov. Mifflin (14-7). Fleetwood has one game remaining: Wednesday vs. Manheim Central (15-4).

Berks Catholic has completed its regular season schedule. Schuylkill Valley wraps up its regular season Tuesday at Brandywine Heights. A win by the Panthers could lift them past the Saints for the No. 1 spot.

Power ratings are also affected by the wins and losses of all opponents played, so its possible other games could affect these tightly contested spots.

Gov. Mifflin (.676) has a slight lead over Brandywine Heights (.660) in the power ratings. Those teams are currently fourth and fifth and could meet in the opening round; home court advantage remains up for grabs.

The semifinals will be played Tuesday, Feb. 16 at Santander Arena. The championship game will be played Friday at Santander as the front end of a girls-boys championship doubleheader.