Exeter’s Anthony Caccese earns Wyomissing PT Player of the Week
Wyomissing Physical Therapy Offensive Player of the Week
Exeter players hear it from their coach, Matt Ashcroft, every day at practice, every night before a game – and then repeatedly throughout the game: “Get the ball inside to Cheese.”
In their biggest game of the season they did that better than ever, repeatedly delivering the ball to 6-6 center Anthony Caccese in the low post where he dominated the game.
The senior scored a career-high 27 points and grabbed 17 rebounds as the Eagles were credited with assists on 12 of 18 baskets in a 49-45 win over Berks Catholic last week.
Caccese has been named Wyomissing Physical Therapy Player of the Week for the first time.
“Our goal is to run our offense inside-out through Anthony,” Ashcroft said. “We always want to go inside. We want to go inside a hundred times a game if we can. We continue to remind them we want to play inside-out.”
Ashcroft knows that creates mismatches and also allows his wing shooters – Reece Garvin, Kevin Saenz and Teddy Snyder – open looks on 3-pointers.
Despite being saddled with three early fouls Caccese proved close to unstoppable. He hit 12-of-16 shots over the final three periods and second 19 second-half points as the Eagles dug out of an early eight-point deficit.
“They couldn’t stop him,” said Saenz, “so we kept feeding him and he ended with almost 30 (points).”
Caccese is averaging 11.6 points per game, second on the team. He has scored in double figures in five straight games. Before Thursday his career high had been 22 points, against Reading.
“He has been absolutely outstanding,” Ashcroft said. “He’s one of the best rebounders I’ve ever coached.”
The win over Berks Catholic was Exeter’s fifth straight and ninth in 10 games and puts it in position to win the Berks II title.
Caccese drew three first-quarter fouls against Berks Catholic and took a seat on the bench six minutes into the game.
He didn’t stay there long. Ashcroft sent him back into the game less than 90 seconds into the second quarter and Caccese was able to play the rest of the game.
“I just tried to settle down more, (do) a little less pushing and elbows, and tried to get better position and get quick buckets,” Caccese said.
Ashcroft knew it was a gamble but didn’t want the game to get out of hand. He inserted Caccese back into the game after the Saints took an eight-point lead in the opening minute of the second quarter.
“BC had the momentum, and our thought process was that if we can get this to a one- or two-possession game by halftime, we’re gonna be in great shape,” Ashcroft said.
Exeter trailed 19-15 at the half, tied the game midway through the third quarter and took the lead for good with 1:47 remaining.
Caccese, an All-State lineman, is committed to play football at Delaware. He was named Lineman of the Week after a strong performance in a 44-22 win at Hempfield last season.
He came on strong for the Eagles late last basketball season when he scored 19 points in a Berks quarterfinal win over Wilson, 19 in a District 3 Class 5A win over Milton Hershey and 16 in a state tournament loss at Chester.
Caccese is the first Exeter player to earn Wyomissing Phyical Therapy Player of the Week honors this season. The Eagles’ Colin Payne was selected last season.
Players considered for Player of the Week honors are nominated by their coaches or by members of the MikeDragoSports.com coverage team.
Also considered for Wyomissing Physical Therapy Player of the Week:
- Jovan Hollis, Antietam
- Brady McKee, Conrad Weiser
- Gerrell McNeil, Gov. Mifflin
- Myles Schmidt, Kutztown
- Keith Neal, Oley Valley
- Aris Rodriguez, Reading High
- Mark Rajnath, Schuylkill Valley
- Seamus Breslin, Wilson
Players selected earlier this season:
- Dec. 12: Jake Karnish, Fleetwood
- Dec. 19: Mark Rajnath, Schuylkill Valley
- Dec. 26: Ryan Koch, Berks Catholic
- Jan. 2: Myles Grey, Reading High
- Jan 9: Jake Karnish, Fleetwood
- Jan. 16: Yadiel Cruz, Reading High
- Jan. 23: Ruben Rodriguez, Reading High
- Jan. 30: Aiden Soumas, Fleetwood
Players selected last season:
- Dec. 20: Matt Harley, Gov. Mifflin
- Dec. 27: Colin Payne, Exeter
- Jan. 3: Jake Karnish, Fleetwood
- Jan. 10: Myles Grey, Reading High
- Jan. 17: Danny Turchi, Oley Valley
- Jan. 24: Ruben Rodriguez, Reading High
- Jan. 31: Julian O’Brien, Wyomissing
- Feb. 7: Xavier Goodman, Kutztown
- Feb. 14: Danny Turchi, Oley Valley
- Feb. 21: Ruben Rodriguez, Reading High
- Feb. 28: Hector Tiburcio, Antietam
- March 7: Joey Chapman, Reading High
