Octorara hands Fleetwood first loss in Tiger Classic finale
2023 Berks basketball coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
Tournament Most Valuable Player Zack Kirk scored 11 fourth-quarter points as Octorara held off Fleetwood 52-51 Thursday in the championship game of the 59th annual Tiger Classic.
Aiden Soumas led a fourth-quarter comeback bid by the Tigers (8-1), who outscored the Braves 20-14 in the final quarter. Soumas scored a game-high 23 points, two off his career high in Wednesday’s win over Upper Perkiomen.
Fleetwood entered the game ranked No. 2 in the District 3 Class 4A power ratings, one spot ahead of Octorara. The Braves will likely move up to No. 2.
The Tigers suffered their first loss because of their inability to convert at the free throw line where they made just 5-of-16, including 2-of-10 in the final quarter.
Nate Herb, who scored 15 points for Fleetwood, had seven poin5w in the first quarter as the Tigers bolted to a 15-5 lead. Octorara trimmed that lead to two by halftime, then outscored Fleetwood 15-6 in the third quarter.
Kirk finished with 18 point to lead the Braves
Kirk was joined on the all-tournament team by Soumas, Herb, Cody Levengood of Brandywine Heights and Tre Willams of Upper Perkiomen.
Brandywine Heights defeated Upper Perk 63-44 in the consolation game, with Levengood scoring a career-high 23 points.
Fleetwood opened last season with 13 straight wins, it’s first loss coming to Manheim Central on Jan. 14.
The win was the fourth straight for Octorara since its only loss, 81-47 to Berks Catholic Dec. 12 in Atglen.
