Player of the Week Kingston McKoy has set himself apart at Berks Catholic
Before Kinston McKoy played his first varsity game his coach at Berks Catholic was already comparing him favorably to Wilson great Stevie Mitchell at the same point of his career.
A year later Snip Esterly hasn’t changed his thoughts on McKoy, who has led the Saints to a 10-0 start.
“I don’t know how he’s going to develop,” Esterly said of McKoy, “but he’s just as good as Stevie (was) as a sophomore, and that’s not a knock on Stevie. (If he doesn’t reach that level), it won’t be because he’s not gonna work hard or because he doesn’t have a passion for the game.”
McKoy rose to the occasion last week as the Saints faced their first two big league tests. He combined for 32 points, 20 rebounds, five blocked shots and four assists in wins over Exeter and Muhlenberg to earn Weeber/Langdon Team of Merrill Lynch honors for the first time this season.
McKoy’s scoring has been consistent this season — he’s averaging 17.4 points — and his rebound total is impressive – especially for a 6-2 guard. The strength of his game remains his defense. He has a long wingspan, good lateral movement, and true defensive instincts. And he enjoys playing that part of the game; he earned starters’ minutes as a freshman because of his ability as a lock-down defender, often guarding the opposing’s team’s top scorer.
He played a key part last week as the Saints held Exeter to 18 first-half points and Muhlenberg to 20.
“Our defense is crazy,” Kingston McKoy said. “That’s the best part of our game. Defense is what’s gonna win games. We can score at will, but if we play defense, too, it’s a deadly combo.”
Esterly also appreciates McKoy’s leadership. The sophomore – he’s a team captain, along with seniors Parker Nein and Josh McKoy — called a team shoot-around Friday afternoon before the game against Muhlenberg.
“He was so upset at himself for missing foul shots (against Exeter),” said Esterly, “he said: ‘We’re having a shoot-around, Coach.’ That’s the leadership he has.
“I’ve had some great players,” Esterly said, “(but) as a leader . . . I don’t know if I’ve ever had a sophomore like him.”
Mitchell, who scored 2,060 points at Wilson, is a junior at Marquette, where he’s a two-year starter. He was a two-time Berks Player of the Year who led the Bulldogs to their only District 3 championship.
McKoy was a key ingredient last season as Berks Catholic won its second straight District 3 Class 4A title. The Saints are No. 1 in the Class 4A power ratings this season.
McKoy is just the second Berks Catholic player ever selected Player of the Week; Ryan Koch was selected last season.
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:
- Shawn Raffety, Antietam
- Donovan Gingrich, Conrad Weiser
- Brendan Gaines, Daniel Boone
- Aiden Soumas, Fleetwood
- Andrew Galantuomo, Gov. Mifflin
- Shermar Killen, Muhlenberg
- Johnny Turchi, Oley Valley
- Yadiel Cruz, Reading High
- Dominic Giuffre, Schuylkill Valley
Players selected earlier this season:
- Dec. 11: Alex Collado, Muhlenberg
- Dec. 18: Madyx Gruber, Wilson
- Dec. 25: Nate Herb, Fleetwood
- Jan. 1: Yadiel Cruz, Reading High
- Jan. 8: Kevin Saenz, Exeter
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
