READING HIGH CAPTURES 6A CROWN! Red Knights Take Down Archbishop Wood 58-57
Written by: Bruce Badgley on Sunday, March 28th, 2021
(Hershey) The announced attendance for the Reading High, Archbishop Wood 6A Championship game was less than 1,300 fans . But if you ask any Reading High basketball fan from this day forward, they will tell you that they were in the Giant Center for the game. The Red Knights second 6A title win in school history Saturday was so very special, and so very emotional, everyone wants to be a part in some way. The Reading win against a powerhouse Archbishop Wood team Saturday night was just another in a series of events that the Red Knights had to overcame this season. A season that was culminated with a 58-57 PIAA Championship Saturday night.
Reading Senior Moro Osumanu ruled the game emotionally and on both ends of the court. Moro finished with 21 points. Ruben Rodriguez chipped in with 12 and Daniel Alcantera had 10. Archbishop Wood was led by standout Rahsool Diggins and his 26 points.
An emotional Reading High Head Coach Rick Perez said it was a year of “get to the next one, get to the next day, pass the next COVID protocol, these kids just handled it all in stride.” Rick had some wonderful things to say about the Red Knights their post season home. “Berks Catholic, we were blessed to go there. Mr. Hess has an amazing heart. The way he loved our kids they just felt like they had another uncle.”
@RDGschools 2021 @PIAASports 6A Champions. I can’t believe what I just typed. @LLhoops @LLHoopsNEPbeat @AndyBrackets pic.twitter.com/KJd1mpMjrR
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 28, 2021
Turnabout is fair play @RDGschools intercepts the @WoodBoysBball and are @PIAASports 6A Champs! 58-57 ! Incredible! @LLhoops @LLHoopsNEPbeat @AndyBrackets pic.twitter.com/99OEjQBjle
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 28, 2021
The game did not start out the way the Red Knights wanted. Archbishop Wood jumped out to a quick lead and led 19-13 after one.
@WoodBoysBball off to a quick start 8-2 over @RDGschools 5:42 quarter one Randolph with the three! @LLhoops @LLHoopsNEPbeat @AndyBrackets pic.twitter.com/OxNxHSMQPJ
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 27, 2021
Newton gets the bounce for @WoodBoysBball and it’s 13-4 over @RDGschools 4:10 quarter one @PIAASports 6A Championship @LLhoops @LLHoopsNEPbeat @AndyBrackets pic.twitter.com/OU6AXxunMV
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 27, 2021
Tough time inside for @RDGschools as @WoodBoysBball leads 15-6 2:50 quarter one @PIAASports 6A Title game @LLhoops @LLHoopsNEPbeat @AndyBrackets pic.twitter.com/ASMbvCmG4Q
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 27, 2021
There’s Osumanu inside for @RDGschools 16-10 @WoodBoysBball up 1:42 quarter one @PIAASports 6A Final @LLhoops @LLHoopsNEPbeat @AndyBrackets pic.twitter.com/tsNULmyvFv
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 27, 2021
Rahsool Diggins a sweet three for @WoodBoysBball a spirited first quarter has The Vikings up 19-13 over @RDGschools after one @PIAASports 6A Final @LLhoops @boblongsports @LLHoopsNEPbeat @AndyBrackets pic.twitter.com/dGqTKzWLf5
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 27, 2021
Reading High hung around in quarter two. It was a seven point lead for Archbishop Wood as we went to the break.
Nice work by @RDGschools Myles Grey the bucket but @WoodBoysBball still maintains a 22-15 lead 6:36 quarter two @PIAASports 6A Final @LLhoops @LLHoopsNEPbeat @AndyBrackets pic.twitter.com/dTXbAWaY5X
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 28, 2021
@RDGschools beats the pressure Burdine the hoop @WoodBoysBball leads 22-19 4:56 until halftime @PIAASports 6A Final @LLhoops @LLHoopsNEPbeat @AndyBrackets pic.twitter.com/vevHM7sd1B
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 28, 2021
@RDGschools hanging with @WoodBoysBball it’s 23-21 Vikings 3:49 until halftime @PIAASports 6A Final @LLhoops @LLHoopsNEPbeat @AndyBrackets pic.twitter.com/WZLKUQxPqW
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 28, 2021
@WoodBoysBball has been deadly from beyond the arc Jaylen Stinson here and they have a 30-23 lead over @RDGschools at halftime of the @PIAASports 6A Final @LLhoops @LLHoopsNEPbeat @AndyBrackets pic.twitter.com/LrQO2kGFu7
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 28, 2021
Reading Highs confidence grew in quarter number three. Daniel Alcantera’s late bucket put the Red Knights in front after three quarters.
Ruben Rodriguez gets @RDGschools going in the 2nd half but @WoodBoysBball still maintains a 34-29 lead with 5:45 remaining in the third quarter @PIAASports 6A Final @LLhoops @LLHoopsNEPbeat @AndyBrackets pic.twitter.com/unlLJLu6nA
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 28, 2021
Osumanu for @RDGschools ! 34-32 @WoodBoysBball in front 4:10 quarter three @PIAASports 6A Final @LLhoops @LLHoopsNEPbeat @AndyBrackets pic.twitter.com/gG5bocYsn3
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 28, 2021
Osumanu again! Ties it at 34 @RDGschools @WoodBoysBball @PIAASports 6A Final @LLhoops @LLHoopsNEPbeat @AndyBrackets pic.twitter.com/RcaO2agyjC
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 28, 2021
Getting to good here, Diggins the bucket for @WoodBoysBball up 39-36 over @RDGschools 1:48 quarter three @PIAASports 6A Final @boblongsports @LLHoopsNEPbeat @LLhoops @AndyBrackets pic.twitter.com/rBYheIe1qq
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 28, 2021
Alcantara! Gives @RDGschools the lead ! Now 43-42 over @WoodBoysBball after three quarters of the @PIAASports 6A Final @LLHoopsNEPbeat @LLhoops @AndyBrackets pic.twitter.com/53NCFu2e7p
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 28, 2021
Reading High dictated the tempo in the fourth quarter. The Vikings went cold down the stretch and the Red Knights had their second state title in school history!
Ruben Rodriguez off the steal for @RDGschools it’s 45-44 over @WoodBoysBball 6:20 remaining @PIAASports 6A Championship @LLhoops @LLHoopsNEPbeat @AndyBrackets pic.twitter.com/xJYI3cwAru
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 28, 2021
Myles Grey dealing for @RDGschools now up 49-44 over @WoodBoysBball 5:04 remaining @PIAASports 6A Championship @LLHoopsNEPbeat @LLhoops @AndyBrackets pic.twitter.com/vVq6dnj6zl
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 28, 2021
@RDGschools the steal! Leading 51-44 over @WoodBoysBball 2:54 left @PIAASports 6A Final @LLhoops @LLHoopsNEPbeat @AndyBrackets pic.twitter.com/RRk30b9dYp
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 28, 2021
@WoodBoysBball coming right back with consecutive steals but @RDGschools leads 51-46 with 2:35 remaining @PIAASports 6A Championship @LLHoopsNEPbeat @LLhoops @AndyBrackets pic.twitter.com/ItcRhHeyJR
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 28, 2021
Shepard the put back for @WoodBoysBball @RDGschools still hanging on 51-48 with 1:45 remaining @PIAASports 6A Championship @LLhoops @LLHoopsNEPbeat @AndyBrackets pic.twitter.com/jIPyzPmWje
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 28, 2021
Ruben Rodriguez two free throws and it’s 53-50 @RDGschools over @WoodBoysBball 31.3 remaining! @PIAASports 6A Championship @LLHoopsNEPbeat @LLhoops @AndyBrackets pic.twitter.com/C70b7T1sAU
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 28, 2021
Alcantara now with two free throws @RDGschools 55 @WoodBoysBball 52 :26.2 remaining @PIAASports 6A Championship @LLHoopsNEPbeat @LLhoops @AndyBrackets pic.twitter.com/EFE1O7p7iE
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 28, 2021
Oh my! Diggins a three for @WoodBoysBball ! @RDGschools still up 58-57 :05.7 left @PIAASports 6A Championship @LLHoopsNEPbeat @LLhoops @AndyBrackets pic.twitter.com/O1zT1UFNPj
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 28, 2021
Turnabout is fair play @RDGschools intercepts the @WoodBoysBball and are @PIAASports 6A Champs! 58-57 ! Incredible! @LLhoops @LLHoopsNEPbeat @AndyBrackets pic.twitter.com/99OEjQBjle
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 28, 2021
Follow LLhoops on Twitter @LLhoops