Red Knights continue to grow, reach D3 semis with win over Thundering Herd
2024 Berks basketball coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
By Mick Reinhard — MikeDragoSports.com correspondent
CARLISLE — Trailing Carlisle by three points with 2:09 remaining, Reading High didn’t look like a team on the precipice of its first loss in District 3 play in four years.
That could be because of the experience the Red Knights have as three-time defending champions and reigning state titlist. Maybe that was the toughness and passion of the players on the hardwood, mirroring their head coach, invested in every possession and every second like it was their last.
Whatever the answer, the Red Knights weren’t ready to relinquish their hardware just yet.
Fueled by Berks Player of the Year Yadiel Cruz and a swarming defense that caused countless turnovers they went on a nine-point run for a 68-62 win Friday over third-seeded Carlisle in a District 3 Class 6A quarterfinal game in the hostile confines of Gene Evans Gymnasium.
The sixth-seeded Red Knights (19-8) advance to the semifinals Tuesday to play at No. 2 Cumberland Valley in a rematch of last year’s championship game.
The Red Knights are looking for their fourth straight title in the highest classification, a feat that has never been accomplished before in the history of the longstanding tournament.
“In this atmosphere, you have to keep your composure,” said Reading coach Francis Camara said. “This is a small gym, and it’s packed and loud. Our guys just stayed together and kept their composure and were able to come out on the other side of it, which was great to see.”
Reading raced to a 17-8 lead in the first quarter, generating second and third chances on every offensive possession as Carlisle struggled to secure rebounds. The problem put the Herd in a hole and ultimately cost them in the last two minutes.
“It doesn’t matter who you use from the bench or the starting lineup if you come out and get out-toughed from the gate,” Carlisle head coach Andre Anderson said. “We threw the ball to them a million times.
“We missed opportunities to close possessions out with defensive rebounds. That toughness. We must be a lot tougher to win these district basketball games.”
Carlisle (18-5) gained its first lead seconds into the second half as Jaydon Smith converted a driving layup into a three-point play. Dunks from Parker Smith and Tyler Royal sent the partisan fans into a frenzy and gave the Herd their largest lead at five points. The Red Knights kept clawing at the deficit to keep it a one-possession game.
“Those kids are a group of fighters who love to be doubted and love to be underrated,” Camara said. “They’re going to keep throwing punches. If they get knocked down, they’ll get back up.
“That’s that Reading mentality. Our kids come from nothing, and they have to work hard to earn everything they get in life. It’s an everyday battle and struggle for our team, so we embrace it.”
Cruz led the way with 25 points, including nine in the final quarter when he went 5-of-6 from the free throw line. Weshly Rosario added 15 points as he found a seam in the Carlisle defense inside the key.
“My coaches told me and the team to stay focused,” Rosario said. “We know we have to overcome that. We came to win.”
Parker Smith, the Mid-Penn Conference’s leading scorer, topped all players with 27 points; Jaydon Smith scored 17 for Carlisle. Royal, a freshman, had eight points and provided quality minutes off the bench.
“We’ve been growing all season long,” Camara said. “Not to mention, the front end of our season was rough. Our schedule isn’t easy on purpose. We do that to prepare for the stretch runs down in February and if you’re blessed to play in March.
“The season is about growing through your mistakes and growing through adversity. Our guys have been doing that all season long, and I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final | |
| Reading High | 17 | 14 | 17 | 20 | 68 |
| Carlisle | 12 | 18 | 21 | 11 | 62 |
| Red Knights | FG | FT | 3s | Points |
| Cruz | 10 | 5-7 | 0 | 25 |
| Camara | 2 | 0-0 | 0 | 4 |
| Chapman | 3 | 0-0 | 0 | 6 |
| Rosario | 6 | 2-5 | 1 | 15 |
| Osumanu | 4 | 0-1 | 1 | 9 |
| Sosa | 2 | 0-0 | 0 | 4 |
| Burgess | 1 | 0-0 | 1 | 3 |
| Beatty | 1 | 0-0 | 0 | 2 |
| Totals | 29 | 7-13 | 3 | 68 |
| Thundering Herd | FG | FT | 3s | Points |
| Johnson-Holmes | 0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 |
| P. Smith | 10 | 6-7 | 1 | 27 |
| J. Smith | 6 | 4-5 | 1 | 17 |
| Ream | 1 | 0-0 | 0 | 2 |
| Griffie | 2 | 0-0 | 0 | 4 |
| Royal | 3 | 2-3 | 0 | 8 |
| Spraglin | 2 | 0-0 | 0 | 4 |
| Fischer | 0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mastrangelo | 0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 |
| Totals | 24 | 12-15 | 2 | 62 |
