Another big night by Ryan Koch helps Berks Catholic dodge Weiser upset bid

Ryan Koch’s hot shooting bailed Berks Catholic out for the second time in as many nights, the senior wing scoring 13 fourth-quarter points in a 63-57 Berks Conference Division II win at Conrad Weiser Tuesday.

The Scouts (0-1, 2-3), on the strength of their 3-point shooting, led by as many as nine points in the third quarter before the Saints (2-0, 5-0) stormed back.

Koch finished with a game-high 21 points and hit four 3-pointers. He was good on 5-of-6 free throws in the final quarter, helping the Saints take the lead for good.

The Scouts knocked down a dozen 3-pointers, including five by sophomore Donovan Gingrich, who finished with a team-high 20 points. They made three 3’s in each quarter.

Sophomore Brady McKee scored 14 points for the Scouts and hit four 3’s, the last of which pushed their lead to 41-32 midway through the third quarter. The Scouts were still within 58-54 in the final minute after a Gingrich 3-pointer.

Josiah Jordan scored 16 points and Jack Miller 10 for the Saints. Evan Miller had 11 for the Scouts.

Weiser led 28-26 at halftime and 43-42 after three quarters.

Koch scored a career-high 31 points Monday in a 71-59 win over Octorara.

The Scouts last beat the Saints 46-44 at Robesonia late in the 2020-21 season when Jake Plummer scored 21 points.

Berks Catholic plays at Exeter Thursday in an early Berks II showdown. The Eagles improved to 3-0 Tuesday as Teddy Snyder and Kevin Saenz each scored 12 points in a 64-39 win at Daniel Boone.