Bulldogs’ Madyx Gruber is Weeber/Langdon Team of Merrill Lynch Player of the Week
Madyx Gruber is leading Wilson in scoring, but the 5-10 junior guard does way more on the court than just put the ball in the basket.
He had six assists and two steals early last week in a win over Manheim Township and five assists in a win over Owen J. Roberts.
“Madyx was a major reason for us going 3-0 this week,” said Bulldogs coach Matt Coldren. “He is becoming a leader at practice every day. Not only did he lead us in scoring but he had a good week on the defensive end as well. He is making his teammates better.”
Gruber averaged 13.7 points over Wilson’s three wins last week and has been named the Weeber/Langdon Team of Merrill Lynch Player of the Week.
The Bulldogs are off to a 5-1 start and take a four-game winning streak into their Berks Conference opener Tuesday against Twin Valley in West Lawn.
Gruber is Wilson’s lone returning starter and only player with much game experience. He is expected to do a little bit of everything for his team this season. Last year he was a point guard whose No. 1 job was to distribute.
“I think he wants more out of me (this season),” Gruber said of Coldren. “He wants me to be the leader of the ship. I’m the most experienced guy on the team. I try to give the advice that I got from the seniors last year to these young guys. Just pick them up and be a leader.”
Gruber scored a game-high 19 points, with three 3-pointers, in a 43-32 win last week over Warwick.
“My first thought is always to score,” Gruber said, “but as soon as the defense pressures me, I like to dish it, give my guys the ball, let ’em do their thing. I enjoy everything (about the game but) I like to pass the ball the most.”
Gruber has great hands and court vision and whips the ball around the court. He also has as much range as any shooter in the league. He’s good from halfcourt, too, as he showed last year when he nailed a buzzer-beater in a one-point playoff win at Fleetwood.
“Offensively, he’s stronger now (than a year ago),” Coldren said. “When he goes to the rim he’s not falling down.”
Gruber is coming off a strong football season that saw him lead the team in receptions and touchdown catches and earn all-league second-team honors at wide receiver. He was also a starting cornerback, leading the team with eight pass breakups and three interceptions; he was third on the team in tackles.
“The farther we get away from football season the more his shot’s gonna come around,” Coldren said. “He shot really well this summer. He’s shooting well now but I’ve seen him shoot better.”
Gruber is averaging 11.7 points per game, up slightly from his 8.6 average as a sophomore when he finished third on the team in scoring. He had 28 3-pointers in 29 games last season; he has increased that production as well, with nine 3’s in six games.
Gruber played in 25 of Wilson’s 26 games as a freshman and averaged 5.6 points with 20 3’s.
Gruber is Wilson’s first Player of the Week recipient in the three seasons of the award.
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:
- Parker Nein, Berks Catholic
- Tommy Clark, Brandywine Heights
- Donovan Gingrich, Conrad Weiser
- Brendan Gaines, Daniel Boone
- Kevin Saenz, Exeter
- Aiden Soumas, Fleetwood
- Shermar Killen, Muhlenberg
- Jacob Zimmerman, Schuylkill Valley
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
