Saints headed back to District 3 semifinals after routing Rams

Ryan Koch knocked down three 3-pointers and scored a game-high 20 points as top-seeded Berks Catholic advanced in the District 3 Class 4A Tournament with a 61-39 win over Kennard-Dale Thursday at Wolf Gymnasium.

The defending champion Saints (21-4) will play at home again Monday when they meet fourth-seeded Octorara in the semifinals. The winner will play for the championship Thursday afternoon at Giant Center.

The Saints broke the game open in the third quarter, holding the Rams to two baskets and outscoring them 13-4. They led 47-27 entering the fourth quarter.

Berks Catholic senior Josiah Jordan scored 17 points to push his program scoring record to 1,163. Koch pushed his program-record 3-point total to 158.  Koch and Jordan were all-division picks.

Junior Josh McKoy scored 14 for the Saints. Zach Orwig had 15 points, 10 in the final quarter, to lead the Rams. Levi Sharnetzka scored 11.

Second-seeded Fleetwood will host third-seeded Littlestown in the other semifinal Monday.

Berks Catholic improved its record in District 3 Tournament play to 27-8. The Saints haven’t lost to a Class 4A team this season: Their losses have come to Reading High, Muhlenberg and Exeter (twice).

They are 7-0 against Class 4A teams, with an average margin of victory of more than 15 points.

Octorara advanced with a 71-69 overtime victory over fifth-seeded Eastern York. Berks Catholic defeated Octorara 71-59 at Wolf Gymnasium in December.

The Saints are 10-1 at home this season, their lone loss coming to Exeter Feb. 2 in a game that essentially decided the Berks II title.