Schools

(Updated to correct playoff appearance reference.) Eric Luckenbill never envisioned himself as a basketball coach. Years ago he offered to keep the scorebook at Emmaus, where he teaches social studies. That drew him deeper into…

The Wilson Bulldogs’ hitting slump is officially over. Five days after scoring a season-high 11 runs in a win over Exeter, the Bulldogs collected nine hits and rallied to beat Muhlenberg 9-7 Monday in a key Berks League Division I…

Twenty-five years ago the Tulpehocken Trojans etched their name in the national high school record book. Not in a good way, though. The Trojans were victims of a historic performance by Minersville’s Keith Witkowski, who hit five…

The reigning Berks Pitcher of the Year is a pretty good hitter, also. Alexander Velez had key hits in each of Gov. Mifflin’s wins last week to earn Utilities Employees Credit Union Player of the Week honors for the first…

Wilson’s Matt VanOstenbridge calls his big-breaking curveball “The Hammer.” The left-hander used it effectively last week to nail down an 11-2 victory over Exeter, a game which saw him strike out 10 batters and allow just…

By Julie Pelchar Cohen -- MikeDragoSports.com senior correspondent The prestige of the Penn Relays was palpable the moment Twin Valley’s distance runners arrived at Franklin Field Friday. Anthony Engle and the Raiders…

The momentum of a big postseason run last year carried into this season for the Fleetwood Tigers, who have won six straight games and are on the cusp of their first division title since 2018. “The experience we got in districts and…

Ryker Jones had no idea how badly he was injured when he got hit in the back of the knee in Wyomissing’s state semifinal last December. He was on the edge, setting a block for his fullback, Matt Kramer, when a player from…

It’s appropriate that Oley Valley baseball coach Jeff Pinder gives lessons at The Hitting Club in Boyertown. His Lynx are just that: A hitting club. They put the bat on the ball consistently Thursday afternoon, spraying 13 hits…

Tyler Minick and two relievers combined on a four-hitter as Gov. Mifflin beat Muhlenberg 3-1 Wednesday night to take over sole possession of first place in Division I of the Berks League. The Mustangs (7-1, 11-3) scored twice in…

Down a couple of runs to Exeter with Deven Sheerin on the mound can seem like an insurmountable deficit. “Two-nothing against Deven seems like 5-0,” said Wilson coach Bill Underwood. Matt VanOstenbridge didn’t seem to notice, or…

Wyomissing sophomore Amaya Stewart and Fleetwood senior Alexis Hess have been named to the Pennsylvania Sportswriters All-State Class 4A first team. Stewart, a 6-1 sophomore, led Wyomissing to its first league and District 3…

When it’s time to select the All-Berks baseball team it’ll be hard to decide whether to choose Carson Renner as a hitter or pitcher. The Brandywine Heights senior dominates no matter what side of that pitcher/hitter battle…

Joe Crist hit the first pitch he saw Saturday for a home run. It was a good omen for the Brandywine Heights shortstop and catalyst. He followed with homers in his next two trips, giving him four home runs for the week…

By Julie Pelchar Cohen -- MikeDragoSports.com senior correspondent Katelyn Murphy suffered a sprinter’s worst nightmare on her sport’s biggest stage a year ago. A false start ended her season and dashed her dreams in a…

By Julie Pelchar Cohen -- MikeDragoSports.com senior correspondent A year ago on the same track, Zack Zerbe and all milers were dusted by the champion. It wasn't the margin of victory that caught Zerbe’s attention, but…

By Julie Pelchar Cohen -- MikeDragoSports.com senior correspondent Wyomissing held high hopes for Alexis Hardy before she even stepped onto the track for her high school career. As an eighth grader, Hardy zoomed…

By Julie Pelchar Cohen -- MikeDragoSports.com senior correspondent The county cross country banquet is filled with speeches every November. Twin Valley’s Anthony Engle delivered a memorable account last fall of his…

By Julie Pelchar Cohen -- MikeDragoSports.com senior correspondent A gold medal always tells a story. The tale of a title for Chanel Hercules is one of sheer surprise. Fleetwood’s current track and field queen…

If was tough not to pick Gov. Mifflin’s Bryce Detwiler as Utilities Employees Credit Union Player of the Week since no one was able to get him out last week. The sophomore third baseman/pitcher went 5-for-5 at the plate…