Super sophs save Saints in Berks I opener
By Sean McBryan — MikeDragoSports.com correspondent
Wilson’s defensive game plan was clear from the beginning: Do not let Berks Catholic’s Caraline Herb beat them.
The Bulldogs held the Saints’ leading scorer in check.
Saints sophomores Molly McFadden, Sydney Corado, and Madison Langdon picked up the slack, leading to a 43-34 victory Friday night in a Berks League Division I opener at Lloyd Wolf Gymnasium.
“Molly picked us up early on,” Berks Catholic head coach Bob Birmingham said. “Sydney played really well, especially in the fourth quarter. Madison handled a lot of the pressure and did a nice job on Laila Jones. Laila’s going to get her points, you just have to make her work and I think we did that tonight.”
McFadden scored nine of her team-high 13 points in the first half as the Saints took an 18-16 lead into the break.
“You just have to step up and be there for your team,” McFadden said. “Caraline is being heavily guarded so you’ve got to step up. There’s no other option.”
Langdon scored 10 points and was steady throughout; she remained calm when breaking fullcourt pressure and provided committed defense on Jones.
Jones had a game-high 18 points for the Bulldogs (0-1, 2-4) but was held to 7-of-20 shooting from the field. The future is extremely bright for the freshman, who was making her league debut on the road. She plays fast, has a great handle, plays tough defense, and has a smooth shooting form.
Corado had five of her 11 points in the fourth quarter when the Saints (1-0, 2-2) outscored the Bulldogs 16-7 to pull away.
Hardwood success is nothing new for the Berks Catholic sophomores. They have played together since the fifth grade in AAU for the Mid-Atlantic Magic and Lehigh Valley Fever. The chemistry can easily be seen on the court; each brings a unique style of play to the team that complements the other’s skillset.
Langdon handled the ball. The 5-10 Corado played inside and out, hitting two 3’s and grabbing nine rebounds. The 5-9 McFadden played inside and out, too, but utilized her slashing and playmaking skills more often to keep the offense moving and get to the free throw line. All play great defense and can shoot free throws.
“It’s so special how we work together and the team chemistry on the floor,” Corado said. “It’s just so fun with them.”
Corado attended Exeter before transferring to Berks Catholic last season and got to play with her two good friends. Corado and Langdon played in all 28 games as freshmen; McFadden played in 20.
“Ever since I was little it’s always been us three playing basketball,” Langdon said. “On the court and off the court that helps a lot.”
Herb, a senior, leads the team in scoring at 12.5 per game. McFadden (10.8), Langdon (10.5), and Corado (8.0) provide balance for a Berks Catholic team that always has its sights set on a Berks County championship and making noise in the district playoffs.
The Saints led last season’s undefeated PIAA Class 6A state champion Plymouth-Whitemarsh by four at the end of three quarters before ultimately falling by six in their season-opener. The win over Wilson, which went to the county final last season, is the beginning of a quest for more playoff success.
“We want to win a county championship and a district championship and then see what we can do (in states),” Birmingham said. “That’s the way we play every time. That’s our goal every single year no matter who’s back, no matter who’s on our team. We set those goals and we don’t think they’re unrealistic.”
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final | |
| Wilson | 6 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 34 |
| Berks Catholic | 9 | 9 | 9 | 16 | 43 |
| Bulldogs (2-4) | FG | FT | 3’s | A | R | Points |
| Jones | 7-20 | 0-0 | 4-8 | 1 | 4 | 18 |
| Moncada | 1-3 | 1-6 | 0-0 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| E. Robinson | 3-7 | 1-4 | 0-0 | 0 | 5 | 7 |
| Crocona | 1-2 | 1-2 | 1-1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Tisdale-Aviles | 1-3 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Asplen | 0-0 | 0-2 | 0-0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Maletto | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Williams | 0-0 | 0-2 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kruper | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peacock | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Totals | 13-35 | 3-16 | 5-9 | 5 | 17-22 | 34 |
| Saints (2-2) | FG | FT | 3’s | A | R | Points |
| Herb | 2-13 | 4-7 | 1-6 | 4 | 10 | 9 |
| Mad. Langdon | 3-9 | 3-4 | 1-4 | 2 | 7 | 10 |
| McFadden | 4-8 | 4-8 | 1-3 | 0 | 8 | 13 |
| Corado | 3-6 | 3-4 | 2-5 | 1 | 9 | 11 |
| Roberts | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0-1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Mac. Langdon | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brown | 0-4 | 0-0 | 0-4 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| Totals | 12-41 | 14-23 | 5-23 | 9 | 39-44 | 43 |
Turnovers: Wilson 14, Berks Catholic 19.
