Up next: A look at the best in Berks boys basketball for the ’23-24 season (updated)
(This story has been undated to reflect that Jayden Kantner, who played at Brandywine Heights this season, is planning to transfer to another Berks school.)
After an historic season which saw Reading High win a state championship, Exeter reach a PIAA title game and Berks teams combine for a record number of state tournament victories, what’s next?
It would be realistic to expect a significant drop-off. All seven All-Berks picks will graduate, as will 15 of 24 all-division selections. Only four of the Berks Conference’s top 20 scorers return.
Then again, you never know. A year ago at this time Aidan Melograna of Wilson, Mark Rajnath of Schuylkill Valley and Zyion Paschall and Kevin Saenz of Exeter were role players or bench players. Each dedicated himself to transforming his game in the offseason, and did: Each was an all-division pick as a senior and led his team into the district playoffs.
There’s a promising group of freshmen in the Class of 2026. The Class of 2025 looks deep. And somewhere in the Class of 2024 there is a player or two disappointed with his junior season, who thinks he can do better and will work at it this spring and summer to emerge as a top player for the 2023-24 season.
There are only a few teams that figure to be significantly better next season: Gov. Mifflin, Conrad Weiser, Wyomissing and Brandywine Heights.
Despite that, it doesn’t appear a whole lot will change in the standings: Reading High, Exeter, Fleetwood and Oley Valley each could repeat as a division champ. Wyomissing will give the Tigers a battle in Berks III. Brandywine and Antietam will make it a tight three-team race in Berks IV.
It’s looks like a rematch in the Berks Conference championship between Reading High and Exeter.
Here’s an early look at the top returning players in Berks basketball, broken down by class (and listed in alphabetical order):
Class of 2024
Nick Chapman, Reading High: Was the unofficial MVP of the Red Knights’ state championship win over Roman Catholic. His role off the bench increased steadily throughout the postseason and he showed a high ceiling in the thrilling finale. He was a hard-nosed defensive specialist this season but expect him to emerge as one of the top all-around guards in the league.
Yadiel Cruz, Reading High: His rebounding and interior defense were indispensable to the Red Knights. He was the Kevin McHale of the Berks Conference, coming off the bench to deliver game-changing minutes. He even hit the game-winning free throws in the district championship game. Averaged just 8.5 points but Red Knights coach Rick Perez insists he has a perimeter game as well. We may see that next season.
Reece Garvin, Exeter: All-Division pick has long arms, gets off the floor quickly and is tenacious on the boards. He’s got an all-around offensive game, too; he hit 50 3-pointers and shot nearly 73 percent from the foul line.
Josh McKoy, Berks Catholic: All-Division pick played in the shadows of accomplished senior teammates Josiah Jordan and Ryan Koch. Expect him to step up and be the Saints’ go-to guy next season. Averaged 9.6 points but there’s more there; can become legit 3-point threat.
Kevin Saenz, Exeter: Evolved from deep bench role to all-division pick. Played well in the clutch. He came up big several times in the state tournament to keep the Eagles’ run alive. Expecting more growth in his game.
Aiden Soumas, Fleetwood: Transformed into physically tough guard. Able to outmuscle smaller players at the rim; equally strong perimeter game. Tough competitor will take lead role with Tigers’ all-time scoring leader Jake Karnish graduating.
- Alex Campbell, Wyomissing
- Alex Collado, Muhlenberg
- Andrew Forrey, Wyomissing
- Nate Herb, Fleetwood
- Dominic Giuffre, Schuylkill Valley
- Alex Kelsey, Exeter
- Malik Osumanu, Reading High
- Kahlil Samuel, Reading High
- Aiden Schippers, Wyomissing
- Nico Sosa, Reading High
- Hunter Svoboda, Fleetwood
- David Turchi, Oley Valley
- Julian Zaballa, Muhlenberg
Class of 2025
Ben DeBalko, Oley Valley: Pure shooter led the county with 65 3-pointers and led a veteran Lynx team in scoring at 11.1 per game. Hit nearly 74 percent from the foul line. Consistent scorer had at least one 3-pointer in 25 of 26 games. Cousin of Jake Karnish is on similar career path.
Andrew Galantuomo, Gov. Mifflin: Could emerge as top point guard in the league. Small but does everything well: Shoots it, passes it, handles it, has great court vision. Already the best free throw shooter in the league; hit nearly 94 percent this season.
Donovan Gringrich, Conrad Weiser: Gifted 6-2 wing averaged 14.3 points, hit 60 3-pointers and earned all-division honors in Berks II. He’ll again be one of the best shooters in the league. Scouts’ dual-threat quarterback will also be one of the best athletes on the court every time out.
Madyx Gruber, Wilson: Scoring numbers were suppressed because he had to take on new role as point guard, but he showed an all-around game. Still able to score, as he showed when he dropped six 3-pointers and a game-high 26 points in playoff win at Fleetwood. Very court savvy.
Jayden Kantner: Athletic guard followed up big freshman season with a strong sophomore campaign at Brandywine Heights. Averaged better than 16 points in three meetings against Oley Valley and a team-high 12.6 for the season. According to a source close to the team, he is transferring to a Berks I school.
Brady McKee, Conrad Weiser: Came on strong at the end of the season, with 25 points and five 3-pointers against Cedar Crest and 24 points and seven 3’s against Bishop McDevitt. Made 57 3’s in 22 games.
Best of the rest:
- Brendan Gaines, Daniel Boone
- Cooper Hohenadel, Schuylkill Valley
- Dylan Latourelle, Wyomissing
- Tom McFadden, Wilson
- Evan Miller, Conrad Weiser
- Josh Plummer, Conrad Weiser
- Jowen Reyes-Rodriguez, Antietam
- Julious Williams, Antietam
Class of 2026
Correll Akings, Wilson: Didn’t see many minutes on deep, senior-oriented Bulldogs team but showed flashes that he could eventually emerge as one of the top players in the league. Has all the makings of a good guard.
Aidan Dauble, Exeter: Would’ve started on most other teams in the league. Tremendous poise. Played big in big minutes during state tournament. Exceptional rebounder. Strong all-around game.
Kingston McKoy, Berks Catholic: The head of a very strong freshman class. Saints coach Snip Esterly, in the preseason, compared him to Stevie Mitchell as a freshman and McKoy did not disappoint. Earned starter’s minutes off the bench because of his strong on-ball defense. Could emerge as one of the league’s best players by next season.
Michael Miller, Muhlenberg: Didn’t get a lot of minutes because the Muhls were so deep at guard but he showed his big upside when he scored 15 points in a state playoff win at Unionville. Will emerge as one of the top two-sport athletes in the county; also big upside on the football field.
Jayden Ware, Exeter: Didn’t score a varsity point during the regular season but helped the Eagles out of a couple of tight spots in the postseason when he was forced into action against Hershey and Peters Township because other guards had fouled out. Showed poise and skills to become a top-flight player.
Nate Winkler, Brandywine Heights: Most advanced of Bullets’ outstanding freshman class. Averaged 8.7 points, hit 23 3-pointers. Was the only freshman tabbed for Berks IV postseason honors.
Best of the rest:
- Nick DeBalko, Oley Valley
- Danny Fleischood, Wyomissing
- Weshly Rosario, Reading High
- Scotty Ray, Brandywine Heights
- AJ Scheifly, Antietam
- Noah Walakovits, Brandywine Heights
