Reading High’s Yadiel Cruz is Wyomissing Physical Therapy Player of the Week
Wyomissing Physical Therapy Offensive Player of the Week
“La Sencacion” lived up to his nickname last week.
Yadiel Cruz, a junior and first-year player at Reading High, had his best all-around game of the season in a key win over Muhlenberg and scored a career-high 20 points in a win over Twin Valley as the Red Knights went 3-0.
“The light bulb went off in terms of what we need from him,” said Reading coach Rick Perez. “He’s undersized, but he does an outstanding job rebounding, and he’s a great finisher. He’s embracing that physicality, throwing his body around.”
Cruz averaged 14.7 points, 11.7 rebounds and 2.7 steal over three games last week to earn Wyomissing Phyical Therapy Player of the Week honors for the first time. He shot 75 percent from the field over three games.
Cruz, a 6-3 forward, moved from the Dominican Republic to Reading in June. He earned the nickname “La Sencacion” in his homeland because of his sensational play.
He began playing with the Red Knights later in the summer and made such an impression on Perez that he was in the starting lineup for the season-opener against Central York.
He was moved to a sixth-man role in early January. Coincidentally or not he took off after that, with a 15-point, 14-rebound performance in a 77-60 win over Muhlenberg last week. He followed with 20 and 14 against Twin Valley and had 10 rebounds Saturday in a win at Downingtown West.
“Maybe that did light the fire ((under him) a little bit,” Perez said of the role change. “He has embraced every bit of it.”
Cruz is averaging 7.6 points per game. His key role has been rebounding, an area where the Red Knights need help because of their lack of size.
“He’s not a big man, but he just rebounds so well,” said Perez. “He’s just gotten used to the physicality (of play in the United States). He’s embracing that physicality, throwing his body around.”
Cruz is the second Reading High player to earn Wyomissing Phyical Therapy Player of the Week honors this season; Myles Grey was picked two weeks ago.
Players considered for Player of the Week honors are nominated by their coaches or by members of the MikeDragoSports.com coverage team.
Also considered for Wyomissing Physical Therapy Player of the Week:
- Nate Winkler, Brandywine Heights
- Kevin Saenz, Exeter
- Morgan James, Hamburg
- Xzayvion Robertson, Muhlenberg
- Ben DeBalko, Oley Valley
- Dominic Giuffre, Schuylkill Valley
- David Bednarczyk, Tulpehocken
- Kannon Zdimal, Twin Valley
- Cleveland Harding, Wilson
Players selected earlier this 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
Players selected last 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
