Red Knights heading back to Coatesville

By Mike Drago Last updated Mar 19, 2023

Reading's Malik Osumanu shoots a free throw last week at Coatesville. (PhilMarPhoto)

Reading High heads back to Coatesville Tuesday to meet Spring-Ford in a PIAA Class 6A semifinal at 7.

The Red Knights (30-1) beat Upper Darby 83-58 at Coatesville in the second round. They advanced to the semifinals with a 72-48 win over New Castle on Saturday.

The District 1 runner-up Rams advanced with a 45-39 win over State College. Spring-Ford (28-3), in the state semifinals for the first time, opened the state tournament with a 56-46 win over Central York at home and beat Hempfield 43-39 at the Geigle.

Reading, the District 3 champ, will be the Rams’ third District 3 opponent in the tournament.

Tuesday’s winner will play for the PIAA championship Saturday at 8 at Giant Center.

Roman Catholic, the District 12 champ, gets a rematch with Archbishop Wood in the other state semifinal. The Cahillites (26-3) beat the Vikings (19-8) 66-59 in the district tournament. They also beat them 77-56 in a Catholic League game in early January.

Those teams met in last year’s PIAA championship game, with Roman prevailing 77-65.

Reading has won 21 straight games.