Boys basketball: Berks I team-by-team preview capsules
2023 Berks basketball coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
Reading High Red Knights
(Susan L. Angstadt photo)
PIAA classification: 6A.
Coach: Francis Camara, first season.
Last season: 11-0 Berks I champ, 32-1 overall, District 3 and PIAA champ.
Schedule: Click here.
Last D3 playoff appearance/victory: 2023/2023.
Key losses: Berks Player of the Year G Ruben Rodriguez, All-Berks G Myles Grey, All-Berks G Aris Rodriguez, all-division F Amier Burdine.
Top player: All-Division 6-3 Sr. F Yadiel Cruz.
Key players: 6-5 Sr. C Malik Osumanu, 5-9 Sr. G Nick Chapman, 6-0 Soph. G Weshly Rosario, 5-10 Fr. G Jeremiah Camara, 5-9 Sr. G Nick Sosa, 5-10 Sr. G Daquan Burgess, 5-7 Jr. G Jowen Reyes-Rodriguez.
Outlook: Red Knights underwent staggering offseason losses, including head coach Rick Perez, but there’s still plenty left here to be a playoff factor. Yadiel Cruz showed flashes in his first season in the program and could emerge as one of the league’s top players. Nick Chapman and Malik Osumanu were role players on last year’s championship team; they bring defensive toughness and experience and both are expected to take leading roles. There’s a wealth of young talent, led by sophomore Weshly Rosario and Jeremiah Camara, who could be the league’s top freshman.
Wilson Bulldogs
(PhilMarPhoto)
PIAA classification: 6A.
Coach: Matt Coldren, 23rd season, 401-188.
Last season: 7-4 league, 19-10 overall.
Schedule: Click here.
Last D3 playoff appearance/victory: 2023/2023.
Key losses: All-Division F Aidan Melograna, G Cam Jones, C Ofure Odiale, G Cleveland Harding.
Top player: 5-10 Junior G Madyx Gruber.
Key players: 6-1 Sr. G Tommy Hunsicker, 5-10 Soph. G Correll Akings, 6-4 Jr. C Luke Levan, 5-10 Sr. G Kevin Twiford, 6-0 Jr. G Tom McFadden, 6-2 Jr. F Christo Hunsicker, 6-1 Fr. C Michael Glover, 6-0 Jr. G Cam Zullinger, 6-3 Sr. F Jewell Wright.
Outlook: The Bulldogs lost five of their top six scorers but did a quick reload and saw several young players make strides in the offseason; they’ll provide much-needed depth and interior play. Madyx Gruber, coming off a strong football season, is the lone proven returning scorer; he should get more shots now that he’ll be playing less point guard. Correll Akings has the making of an outstanding guard in the mold of Cam Jones. First-year varsity players Luke Levan and Michael Glover will add a valuable inside presence. Throw in the leadership and all-around abilities of Tommy Hunsicker, the QB on the football team, and you have a team capable of a playoff run.
Muhlenberg Muhls
(Tim Macrina photo)
PIAA classification: 5A.
Coach: Matt Flowers, third season, 36-18.
Last season: 6-5 league, 18-11 overall.
Schedule: Click here.
Last D3 playoff appearance/victory: 2023/2023.
Key losses: All-Division G J’Daniel Mosquera, all-division G Xzavion Robertson.
Top players: 6-1 Soph. G Mike Miller, 6-1 Sr. G Alex Collado, 6-2 Jr. G Shermar Killen, 6-0 Jr. PG Jayden Kantner.
Key players: 6-3 Sr. F Kyle Archie, 5-11 Jr. G Julian Zaballa, 6-1 Fr. G Eli Hemmings, 6-1 Jr. F Matt Marte, 5-11 Sr. G Drew LeClair, 5-10 Sr. G Juelz Martinez.
Outlook: The Muhls graduated their top five scorers and more than 200 3-pointers. They’ll be young, with only a few seniors mixed into the rotation, but the program is sound and keeps churning out players. Look for Michael Miller, who flashed big-time potential as a freshman, to step up. Jayden Kantner, Brandywine Heights’ leading scorer last season, steps in at point guard and will set the tone for an up-tempo game. Alex Collado should step up as one of the top scorers. Shermar Killens adds athleticism and an offensive spark. There’s some length and defensive ability. Will challenge for top spot.
Gov. Mifflin Mustangs
(Gov. Mifflin photo/Tim Kreider)
PIAA classification: 6A.
Coach: Brian Wrobel, second season, 7-15.
Last season: 3-8 league, 7-15 overall.
Schedule: Click here.
Last D3 playoff appearance/victory: 2020/2020.
Key losses: All-Division G Delsin McNeil, F Gerrell McNeil.
Top player: 5-6 Jr. G Andrew Galantuomo.
Key players: 6-2 Jr. F Cole Renninger, 6-3 Jr. F Jahmair Johnson, 6-2 Jr. G Matt Koehler, 6-2 Jr. G Bryce Detwiler, 6-11 Sr. F Darryll Jonnson, 5-11 Jr. G Stephen Mayo, 5-10 Jr. G Javien Pletz, 6-0 Soph. G Lebron Leaf.
Outlook: Mustangs will be the least experienced team in the division and will have fewer seniors involved than any other team. They’ll have one of the top players in point guard Andrew Galantuomo, a 5-6 dynamo and natural point guard who can take the ball to the basket and distribute. He can hit from the 3-point line and is lethal at the foul line, where he dropped a league-leading 93.7 percent last season. Otherwise, the rest of the lineup is unproven at this level.