Five Players to Watch in Berks II boys basketball
Tashiro Alexis
Muhlenberg
The 6-1 senior guard brings experience, athleticism and a key leadership component to a young lineup that’s replacing its top three scorers. He averaged 4.1 points and hit nine 3-pointers in 16 games last season but those figures are expected to grow exponentially. He’ll use his quickness to get to the basket or find open spots on the floor.
“His 3-point shot has gotten better over the years,” said Muhls coach Matt Flowers, who first coached Alexis at Reading High. “As long as his confidence is high, the kid can shoot with the best of them in the county. He can really stroke the ball.”
Flowers said Alexis took a big step up on the defensive end over the summer.
“He was able to guard the best players we saw,” he said.
Charlie Dobb
Conrad Weiser
High school bigs are in short supply but the Scouts have one in Dobb, who blocks shots, passes well and and hits 3-pointers.
The 6-7 senior often played in the high post last season; with Jake Plummer graduated he’ll see more time on the offensive blocks where he figures to use his size to keep balls alive on the glass.
“Charlie was more assertive and physical over the summer,” said Scouts head coach Rich Miller. “He’s realizing the guys guarding him are 6-2, 6-3, and that he can be more of a force down low and make things happen.”
Dobb was an All-Star in the West Reading Summer League. He averaged 7.0 points as a junior and hit seven 3-pointers — more than any returning Weiser player.
J’Daniel Mosquera
Muhlenberg
His coach calls him “Mighty Mouse,” and for good reason: The junior guard is small but swift and strong.
“Since Day 1, he has been the toughest kid we’ve had,” said Muhls coach Matt Flowers. “He’s not the biggest kid on the floor but he’s one of strongest guards in the county. He’s tough as nails. He doesn’t back down.”
Mosquera is a whippet on the court, with the ability to race up and down the floor and distribute the ball. The junior point guard can hit from 3-point range but he’s best in the open floor or getting to the basket. He didn’t score much coming off the bench last season but showed his shooting ability by hitting 13-of-14 free throws.
He’ll play a big role on the perimeter defender as well.
“He’s an elite defender,” said Flowers. “He sets the tone for us. He’s the heart and soul of the team.”
Edwin Suarez
Muhlenberg
Suarez was dominant in the post as a junior when he earned All-Berks honors after averaging 12.1 points and 10 rebounds and showed a knack for blocking shots. Now he’s two inches taller, at 6-7, 20 pounds heavier, and ready to expand his game further.
“I told him he’s a great big man, but he can be even better,” said Muhls coach Matt Flowers.
Suarez, in his first season with the Muhls, was a terror on the boards, where he used his combination of length, timing and aggressiveness to wipe the glass clean. He had 21 rebounds in a 74-62 win over Executive Education and 15 in a 79-46 win at Exeter.
Flowers said Suarez’s offensive game has expanded — he’ll take some looks from the 3-point line — and he’s improved on the glass, too.
“He jumps so high,” he said. “His rebounding all summer was phenomenal. He’s on every rebound.”
Kannon Zdimal
Twin Valley
The 6-2, 190-pound junior made it a point over the offseason to hit the weight room and get stronger and that should help him on the defensive end, and with his shooting.
He made 17 3-pointers in 19 games as a sophomore, when he averaged 7.4 points per game and earned all-division honors.
“Kannon always could stroke it a little bit, but he’s more consistent now,” said Raiders coach Chad Walters. “He’s gonna be a guy that will be able to stretch the floor for us. You have to guard him at the 3-line and guard him inside. He worked on his feet in the offseason, and his agility’s gotten better. That’s going to round out his game.”
Zdimal has started since his freshman season. He’s also a standout pitcher and first baseman for the Raiders.
Other key players to watch in Berks II:
- Beau Altman, 6-3 senior G/F, Twin Valley
- Matt DiGiacomo, 6-1 freshman F, Daniel Boone
- Aanjay Feliciano, 6-2 senior G, Conrad Weiser
- Brendan Gaines, 6-2 freshman G, Daniel Boone
- Jarret Jackson, 6-2 senior G, Muhlenberg
- Logan Klitsch, 6-3, senior F, Conrad Weiser
- Alexavior Tomlinson, 6-2 senior F, Muhlenberg