Boys basketball: Berks II team-by-team capsule previews

By Mike Drago Last updated Dec 1, 2022

Berks Catholic Saints

Coach: Snip Esterly, 12th season, 227-79 (769-212 overall, including 22 seasons at Central Catholic).
Last season: 9-3 Berks I, 23-5 overall, District 3 Class 4A champ.
Schedule: Click here.
PIAA Classification: 4A.
Last D3 playoff appearance/victory: 2022/2022.
Key losses: All-Division (Berks 1) F Aidan Sands, C Tyler Givens.
Top players: All-Berks 5-10 Sr. PG Josiah Jordan, all-division (Berks 1) 6-4 Sr. F Ryan Koch, 5-10 Sr. G Jack Miller.
Key players: All-Division (Berks 4) 6-3 Jr. F Joshua McKoy, 6-1 Sr. C Jaxon Geddio, 5-11 Sr. G Kevin Lawlor, 6-1 Jr. G Parker Nein, 6-1 Fr. G Kingston McKoy, 6-2 Jr. F Javen Diaz.
Outlook: With three starters returning Saints would’ve been favored to make another run at a district championship. Now, with the addition of Joshua and Kingston McKoy they’re deeper than ever and favored to win both the division and district titles.

Coach: Matt Ashcroft, fourth season, 29-38.
Last season: 5-7 Berks I, 13-15 overall.
Schedule: Click here.
PIAA classification: 5A.
Last D3 playoff appearance/victory: 2022/2022.
Key losses: All-Berks G Colin Payne, F Joey Schlaffer.
Top players: 6-6 Sr. C Anthony Caccese, 6-3 Jr. F Reece Garvin, 6-1 Sr. G Teddy Snyder.
Key players: 5-9 Sr. PG Zyion Paschall, 6-3 Jr. G Kevin Saenz, 6-3 Sr. F Trevor Keperling, 5-11 Jr. PG Alex Kelsey, 6-3 Fr. F Aidan Dauble, 6-6 Sr. C Deven Sheerin.
Outlook: Eagles won’t have a single player who can fill the scoring void left by Colin Payne (18.4 per game) but they’ll have a more balanced offense with several capable shooters, including 3-point marksmen Teddy Snyder and Reece Garvin. Anthony Caccese emerged as one of the league’s most dominant post men last year and will be again this season. Deeper than a year ago, when they improved by 10 wins and made state tournament.

Coach: Matt Herbener, first season.
Last season: 3-8 Berks II, 10-12 overall.
Schedule: Click here.
PIAA Classification: 5A.
Last D3 playoff appearance/victory: 2012/1995.
Key losses: All-Division G Danny Yost, G/F Beau Altman.
Top player: All-Division 6-3 Sr. F Kannon Zdimal, 6-0 Sr. PG Josh Phillips.
Key players: 5-10 Soph. G Evan Johnson, 6-0 Sr. F Luke Strausser, 5-10 Soph. G Evan Myers, 6-1 Soph. G Kooper Zdimal, 6-1 Soph. G/F Matt Knight, 5-11 Sr. G Mitch Aukamp, 6-4 Sr. F Jack Shugar, 5-8 Sr. G Josh Winters.
Outlook: Raiders have three starters back from team that more than doubled its win total a year ago, including leading scorer Kannon Zdimal. Big gap between them and top division contenders but hope to narrow it by controlling pace and playing defense. Had a productive and active summer and fall under new staff.

Coach: Rich Miller, second season, 8-14.
Last season: 3-8 Berks II, 8-14 overall.
Schedule: Click here.
PIAA Classification: 4A.
Last D3 playoff appearance/victory: 2021/2018.
Key losses: All-Division C Charlie Dobb, all-division G Aanjay Feliciano.
Top player: 5-11 Soph. G Donovan Gingrich.
Key players: 5-10 Soph. G Brady McKee, 6-1 Soph. F Evan Miller, 6-2 Soph. F Gavin Rapp, 5-8 Jr. G Riley Civiello, 6-2 Sr. F Brady Snyder, 6-0 Sr. F Alex Snyder, 5-4 Jr. G Joshua Miller.
Outlook: Scouts are young, inexperienced and small. They’ll rely a lot on Donovan Gingrich, who emerged as one of the top freshman in the league last season and was an All-Star pick in the West Reading Summer League. Just three seniors on the roster. Definitely a rebuilding season.

Coach: Craig Tranovich, third season, 2-37.
Last season: 0-11 Berks II, 0-22 overall.
Schedule: Click here.
PIAA classification: 5A.
Last D3 playoff appearance/victory: 2010/2010.
Key losses: None.
Top player: 6-2 Soph. G Brendan Gaines.
Key players: 6-4 Sr. C Mason Sacarello, 6-1 Soph. G Matt DiGioacomo, 5-9 Jr. G Tyson Pinchok, 6-1 Soph. F Harrison Delissaint, 6-4 Jr. C Kevin Rodriguez-Guzman, 5-9 Soph. G Noah Sherman.
Outlook: Blazers looking to snap a 26-game losing streak that extends to the 2020-21 season. They return all five starters, including Brendan Gaines, who averaged 12.4 points, was one of the league’s best 3-point shooters and one of its top freshmen. Mason Sacarello had a strong offseason and earned All-Star honors in the West Reading Summer League.