Player of the Week Kevin Saenz shows it’s ‘Showtime’ again at Exeter

By Mike Drago Last updated Jan 10, 2024

It’s been a transitional season for the Exeter Eagles with three new starters, a new head coach, and a new offensive system.

It’s meant a new role for senior Kevin Saenz, who moved from the wing to point guard, a position he had never played before.

He looked like a natural in that spot last week against Reading High, leading the Eagles to a 24-point win with his crisp passes, court vision and all-around floor game.

“I think the light bulb has turned on for Kev running the point,” Eagles coach Jeff VanGorder said after watching Saenz score 21 points, grab nine rebounds and record nine assists in that 79-55 win at the Geigle. “He is doing an awesome job right now.”

Saenz’s big performance is worthy of the Weeber/Langdon Team of Merrill Lynch Player of the Week award. It’s his first this season and second overall; he also earned Player of the Week honors as a junior with his standout play in the PIAA Tournament.

Despite playing a role that means setting up teammates Saenz is still putting the ball in the basket himself.

Saenz is averaging a team-leading 17.0 points, nearly six points higher than a year ago. He has 14 3-pointers in nine games and is shooting 67.6 percent at the foul line.

“Now, it’s (becoming) natural to me,” Saenz said of playing point guard. “I’m seeing a lot of things, different presses, different defenses every game so it’s helping me become a better point guard.”

Saenz was an all-division pick as a junior when Exeter went 27-7, reached the Berks title game, won the District 3 Class 3A championship and made it to the PIAA title game.

He had a huge effort in a 75-72 overtime win over Peters Township in the state quarterfinals, scoring 19 points with five rebounds and two assists. With three of his teammates already fouled out, Saenz took over down the stretch and scored Exeter’s final six points.

“We call him ‘Showtime Kev,’ ” teammate Anthony Caccese said, “and that was ‘Showtime’ right there at the end.”

Players considered for Weeber/Langdon Team of Merrill Lynch Player of the Week honors are nominated by their coach or by members of the MikeDragoSports.com coverage team.

Also considered for Player of the Week:

AJ Scheifly, Antietam
Parker Nein, Berks Catholic
Brendan Gaines, Daniel Boone
Hunter Svoboda, Fleetwood
Shermar Killen, Muhlenberg
David Turchi, Oley Valley

Players selected earlier this season:

Dec. 11: Alex Collado, Muhlenberg
Dec. 18: Madyx Gruber, Wilson
Dec. 25: Nate Herb, Fleetwood

Players selected last 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
Feb. 6: Anthony Caccese, Exeter
Feb. 13: Cooper Hohenadel, Schuylkill Valley
Feb. 20: Ruben Rodriguez, Reading High
Feb. 27: Ruben Rodriguez, Reading High
March 6: Anthony Caccese, Exeter
March 13: Myles Grey, Reading High
March 20: Kevin Saenz, Exeter
March 27: Nick Chapman, Reading High

Players selected in 2021-22 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