Reading High runs past Muhlenberg, returns to Berks championship game
2024 Berks basketball coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
(This story will be updated later tonight with a full boxscore, additional details and postgame reaction.)
By Mike Drago — MikeDragoSports.com Managing Editor
Reading High, counted out by some at midseason, continued its strong push to the Berks Conference championship game, running past Muhlenberg 69-47 in a semifinal Wednesday at Santander Arena.
The second-seeded Red Knights advance to face fourth-seeded Wilson in the championship game Friday at 8 back at Santander. The Red Knights have won the last two Berks title games and a record 25 overall.
Muhlenberg was seeking its first title game appearance since in 1974.
Reading has won a season-best seven straight games and 10-of-11, it’s lone loss in that stretch coming at Berks Catholic.
Eight days after getting blown out by the Knights at the Geigle the Muhls made a strong run at it Wednesday, taking a 20-18 lead on Drew LeClair’s transition basket with 3:14 left in the first half.
The Red Knights took control after that with a 15-2 run, sparked by a seven-point possession. Freshman Jeremiah Camara knocked down four straight free throws after he was fouled, and then a technical was added to it. Reading retained possession after the technical and got a three-point play from Malik Osumanu for a 33-22 lead.
The Muhls never challenged again.
Camara finished with a game-high 20 points; Osumanu had 18. Shermar Killen led the Muhls with 15.
Reading showed it is playing its best all of the season in dispatching No. 7 Schuylkill Valley 78-40 in Monday’s quarterfinal. Muhlenberg held off Fleetwood 60-46 on the road in its quarterfinal.
Muhlenberg won the first meeting between the Berks I rivals 87-74 in two overtimes at Laureldale on Jan. 9.
A month later, with the Division I title up for grabs in the regular season finale at the Geigle, it was no contest: The Red Knights dropped 27 first-quarter points and put the mercy rule into effect on the way to an 83-46 victory.
Nick Chapman, who did not play in the first game while recovering from an orbital fracture, dominated the rematch on both ends of the floor. He scored 18 points and spearheaded a defensive effort that saw Muhls scoring leader Shermar Killen limited to five points – his lowest output since cracking the starting lineup early in the season.
Everything went right for the Red Knights in that game: Nico Sosa and Weshly Rosario knocked down buzzer-beaters in the first two quarters, they ran the floor well in transition, and they saw league scoring leader Yadiel Cruz drop 26 points. They held the Muhls to a season-low 46 points.
“I love the basketball that we’re playing,” first-year Reading coach Francis Camara said afterward.
The Red Knights are a much different team than the one that began the season with just one return starter, no proven scorers and a freshman and sophomore in their backcourt. They took their lumps the first six weeks of the season, were 6-5 at one point and played eight games at midseason without Chapman.
His return, which triggered a big win over District 1 standout Spring-Ford, has made all the difference in the world.
“They got their leader back,” Muhls coach Matt Flowers said of Reading’s turnaround. “It’s that simple. He keeps them glued together. He is the guy that keeps that locker room in check, no matter what’s going on. When you have guys like that in your locker room you’re always going to be successful.”
