Reading High falls in heartbreaker to Archbishop Wood

(This story will be updated with details and postgame reaction.)

EASTON — Reading High nearly completed a miraculous comeback Sunday, trimming all but two points off a 25-point deficit before falling to Archbishop Wood 64-58 in a PIAA Class 6A second-round game

The District 3 champion Red Knights (26-4) trailed 40-15 early in the second half before using runs of 16-0 and later 13-0 to scramble back into the game.

Reading was within 57-55 after Joey Chapman’s basket with 40 seconds left before the Vikings (19-7) pulled away with seven free throws.

Archbishop Wood advances to the state quarterfinals to play District 1 runner-up Norristown or District 7 runner-up North Hills; those teams play later today.

Ruben Rodriguez scored a game-high 21 points for Reading, 17 in the second half and 11 in the final quarter, including a pair of 3-pointers.

The loss snapped Reading’s winning streak at eight-game winning streak, and keeps coach Rick Perez’s win count at 249, two short of Jim Gano’s program record. That mark will have to wait until next season.