Fast starts by Fleetwood, Tulpehocken will boost hopes for district playoffs

By Mike Drago Last updated Dec 21, 2021

Fleetwood captains, from left: Dylan Fickes, Will Ryan and Jake Karnish.

The Fleetwood Tigers haven’t made the District 3 boys basketball tournament in over 20 years. After seeing the Tigers get off to such a strong start this season, winning their first four games, you’ve got to think this may be the year they end the longest district playoff drought in Berks boys basketball.

Fleetwood is one of several teams off to fast starts. Tulpehocken is 4-0 heading into Tuesday’s Berks Conference III-IV crossover at Wyomissing. Brandywine Heights is 4-1 as it plays Antietam Tuesday in a Berks IV game. Berk Catholic, Muhlenberg and Reading High are undefeated and in strong position in the early District 3 power rankings.

Yes, it really early to be thinking about the postseason — the district tournament won’t tip for another two months — but the first 10 days of the season have been very encouraging for a number of Berks team.

Fleetwood hasn’t opened a season with four straight wins since 2007-08; a win over Catasauqua Thursday will give the Tigers their best start since they opened 6-0 in 1986-87.

District 3 qualifiers
Class 6A	12
Class 5A	16
Class 4A	10
Class 3A	6
Class 2A	6
Class 1A	8

According to unofficial power ratings posted on the District 3 website Tuesday the Tigers were ranked No. 5 in Class 5A and well-positioned for a shot at the postseason. The top 16 teams qualify for districts in that classification.

District qualifiers vary by classification. In Class 6A, the top 12 teams qualify. In 4A, the top 10 qualify. Class 3A: Top six. Class 2A: Top six. Class 1A: Top eight.

Reading High is No. 1 in 6A heading into Tuesday’s game at Wilson, which ranked No. 6, one spot behind Muhlenberg. The Muhls and Red Knights are among five remaining unbeatens in Class 6A.

Exeter is in strong early position to make it back to the tournament for the first time since 2018. Despite a pair of early losses, to Reading High and Spring-Ford, the Eagles are No. 4 in Class 5A, one spot ahead of Fleetwood.

In Class 4A, Berks Catholic, which has won its first four games, is No. 1; the only other unbeaten in that class is Middletown. The Saints play Gov. Mifflin Tuesday.

Tulpehocken, off to its best start in 23 seasons, is No. 2 in Class 3A. The Trojans are 4-0 for the first time since 1998-99, when they won their first six games.

Brandywine Heights, which won its first four games before losing to Roberto Clemente Charter on Saturday, is No. 4 in 3A; Kutztown is No. 6.

PIAA qualifiers from District 3
Class 6A	7
Class 5A	9
Class 4A	5
Class 3A	3
Class 2A	5
Class 1A	3

Antietam is No. 2 in class 2A. It’s only loss in four games came to top-ranked Lancaster-Mennonite, the team that beat it in the 2021 district championship game.

Rankings are based on power ratings, which combine a team’s winning percentage with its strength of schedule. Teams earn more points for playing and beating teams from larger schools and for beating teams with better records.

District 3 has announced a return to Giant Center for its championship games. They will be played on Thursday March 3 and Saturday March 5. There will be six games each day, with boys and girls championships alternating.

Last year District 3 championship games were played at home sites. Reading High beat Wilson for the Class 6A championship at Berks Catholic, where the Red Knights played all of their home playoff games.