Kingston McKoy’s 20 lead Berks Packing to West Reading Summer semifinals
Rising sophomore Kingston McKoy scored a game-high 20 points as Berks Packing continued its quest for a third straight Ron Krick Memorial League championship Tuesday with a 40-39 win over Marrella Financial in the West Reading Summer League quarterfinals.
Berks Packing, comprised of players from Berks Catholic, defeated Marrella in the championship game in each of the two past summers.
Lamm & Witman Funeral home, Apex Advertising and Dulin Tire were the other winners Tuesday and advance to a semifinals doubleheader Wednesday, starting at 5:25, at the West Reading Playground courts.
Berks Catholic used its summer league victories the last two seasons as springboards for big seasons, each of which included a District 3 Class 4A championship.
McKoy wasn’t part of the Saints’ summer league championship run last summer; he and older brother Josh transferred from Antietam to Berks Catholic just before the start of school last year.
Each played a big part in a season that saw the Saints go 23-5 and beat Fleetwood in the district title game. Kingston emerged as the Berks Conference’s top freshman and excelled on defense; now he’s adding an offensive element to his game, as he showed in Berks Packing’s one-point win over Marrella.
Berks Packing will face Dulin Tire, a 46-23 winner Tuesday over King’s Auto Repair. Reece Garvin scored a game-high 21 points for Dulin, which is comprised of players from Exeter. King’s is comprised of Wyomissing players.
Garvin was a key component for the Eagles last season when they edged the Saints for the Berks II title, beat them in the Berks playoffs, then went on to win their first District 3 championship, taking the Class 5A title.
Wednesday’s other semifinal will match Lamm & Witman Funeral Home and Apex Advertising.
Lamm & Witman advanced with a 52-43 win over Tom Masano Auto Group. Brady McKee, a rising junior at Conrad Weiser, led Lamm & Wittman with 15 points. Matt Koehler, a rising junior at Gov. Mifflin, had 14 points for Tom Masano.
Apex advanced with a 47-35 win over Glass & Sons Collision.
Carter Horst and Caleb Johnson, who play at Warwick, each scored 16 points for Apex. Carter Schmidt, who plays at Twin Valley, led Glass & Sons with 10 points.
The winners Wednesday advance to the championship game Thursday at 5:25.
The All-Star Game follows at 6:20.
Season awards, for the league’s most valuable player, most improved player, and best defensive player will be announced at the games Thursday.
In case of inclement weather, the games will be moved to Wyomissing High School, in the old gym, off Evans Avenue.
Girls games will follow the boys games each night. On Wednesday, Wyomissing will play Wilson at 7:15 and Berks Catholic will play Conrad Weiser at 8:10. On Thursday, Wilson will play Conrad Weiser at 7:15 and Berks Catholic will play Wyomissing at 8:10.
