Top Players to Watch in Berks I boys basketball

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2023 Berks basketball coverage presented by

Utilities Employees Credit Union

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Jeremiah Camara

Reading High

Buzz has been building around the program about the 5-10 guard for the past several years; he has arrived at a good time, with the program in transition.

The freshman will likely open the season off the bench but should make an immediate impact with his all-around game any time he’s on the floor.

“Jeremiah is ready to take the helm as the next general there,” said Muhlenberg coach Matt Flowers, the former Reading assistant and familiar with Camara’s growth. “He’ll make his teammates around him better.”

With their top three scorers graduated the Red Knights will need an offensive spark and Camara should eventually be able to bring that: He can put the ball on the floor, shoot it and – most importantly – pass it.

No one gets on the court at Reading if they can’t play both ends of the floor, and the 14-year-old Camara can.

“He’s a defensive menace,” said his head coach and father, Francis Camara.

Nick Chapman

Reading High

The 5-10 guard was mostly a defensive presence – and a key one – as a junior but he showed in the state title game against Roman Catholic that there’s more to his game than just that.

He hit a clutch 3-pointer in the fourth quarter to give the Red Knights the lead, then hit two critical free throws with 26 seconds left in regulation to snap a 51-51 tie. He finished with a career-high nine points, grabbed four rebounds, and had three assists in the 63-56 overtime victory.

“It doesn’t surprise us,” teammate Amier Burdine said of Chapman’s clutch play, “because it’s something we see (every day at practice). We know he can get it done.”

He’ll have to this year, with the Red Knights replacing three All-Berks picks.

“He’ll push the tempo for us (on offense) and make teams feel uncomfortable (on defense),” said Reading coach Francis Camara. “He can guard basket to basket.”

Yadiel Cruz

Reading High

Cruz was an x-factor in the Red Knights’ 32-1 season, playing a Kevin McHale-type role off the bench as an offensive spark and presence on the boards. He showed a knack for making plays around the basket and scoring in clutch moments.

Now, with Reading’s top three scorers graduated, he’ll be counted on to take a lead role and be a top scorer. He’s more than capable, said Red Knights coach Francis Camara.

“Our offense will go through him more this season,” Camara said. “He’s offensively very talented. He can play inside/out. He plays on the glass.”

Cruz averaged 8.5 points and hit double figures 12 times, including four times during the postseason with a playoff-high of 17 against Upper Darby in the state tournament.

Cruz made just nine 3-pointers last season but has the ability to hit from beyond the arc and concentrated on that throughout the offseason.

“This year you’ll have a chance to see his overall game,” Camara said.

Andrew Galantuomo

Gov. Mifflin

This 5-6 junior might be the best player in Berks no one knows about.

He emerged as one of the league’s top points guards last season and, despite his size, makes a big impact on the court with his ballhandling, quickness and ability to distribute the ball.

“He understands the game,” said Mifflin coach Brian Wrobel. “He knows how to get to his spots, knows what he can do, can’t do. He plays like he’s 6-5.”

Galantuomo averaged 6.8 points, made 21 3’s and was the league’s best at the free throw line, where he made 30-of-32 shots (93.8 percent).

“He has a great handle, and his quickness in unbelievable,” Wrobel said.

Galantuomo gained valuable experience in the summer when he was part of West Reading’s travel team, along with Josiah Jordan, Jake Karnish and Reece Garvin, which toured northern California.

He also was named a West Reading Summer League all-star.

Madyx Gruber

Wilson

The 5-10 junior guard showed his ability to score last season: He had six 3-pointers and 26 points in a playoff win at Fleetwood and 23 points against York High in a state-qualifier win.

Now that he won’t have full-time point guard responsibilities he figures to become a more consistent scorer after averaging 8.6 points as a sophomore (tops among returning players in the division).

“Madyx is our most versatile player,” said Bulldogs coach Matt Coldren. “He’ll be able to do a lot of things for us.”

Coldren plans to split up point guard duties. That should help free Gruber and allow him to make better use of his outside shooting; he had 28 3’s last season. It could also help him get to the line more often; he was good on 72.3 percent of his foul shots last season.

Gruber is a talented all-around athlete. He was a second-team all-league pick as a wide receiver after catching 28 passes with a team-high nine touchdown receptions this season. He was also the team’s top defensive back and kick returner and led the team in all-purpose yards.

He was good enough to earn a spot on West Reading’s travel team, alongside Berks Catholic’s Josiah Jordan, Fleetwood’s Jake Karnish and Exeter’s Reece Garvin, which toured northern California.

Michael Miller

Muhlenberg

Miller’s time on the court was limited last season, in part because of the depth and inexperience in front of him, in part because of his own inconsistency.

The freshman showed the potential to carry the team when he scored 13 fourth-quarter points in the Muhls’ 64-54 comeback win at Unionville in the opening round the PIAA Tournament.

“He was locked in,” said Muhls coach Matt Flowers. “He let it all hang out.”

That 15-point effort was by far Miller’s best and showed his potential to be a top player in the league this season.

He’s a 6-1 guard with speed and strength, as evidenced by his strong sophomore season on the football field, where he was a linebacker and running back.

“He’s super-athletic,” Flowers said. “He’s steadily improving. When he’s rolling (like he was at Unionville) it’s pretty hard to stop.”

Malik Osumanu

Reading High

The 6-5 postman played a key defensive role in the Red Knights’ run to league, district, and state titles. Now he’ll need to add an offensive layer to his game to keep his team on top.

Reading coach Francis Camara believes he can.

“Malik is skilled offensively,” Camara said, “he just didn’t get a chance to show that. Our senior class has been overshadowed. We have some talented guys and great leaders in that class.”

Osumanu cracked double digits just once last season but showed offensive potential. He was good on 77 percent of his free throws and knocked down five 3-pointers.

Osumanu will be the defensive anchor of what should be another strong defensive team. He’s long and can be a shot-blocker.

“His defensive presence in the middle as well as his ability to finish around the rim will provide the foundation of what we need in the early part of the season,” Camara said.

Other players to watch in Berks II:

• Correll Akings, soph., Wilson
• Alex Collado, senior, Muhlenberg
• Tommy Hunsicker, senior, Wilson
• Jayden Kantner, junior, Muhlenberg
• Shermar Killens, junior, Muhlenberg
• Luke Levan, junior, Wilson
• Weshly Rosario, soph., Reading High
• Kevin Twiford, senior, Wilson