Reading 90 Allentown Central Catholic 62

The Reading Red Knights improved to 11-0 on the season with a solid victory over the Vikings of Allentown Central Catholic on Thursday night in the opening round of the Reading Holiday Tournament at the Geigle Complex. Here are my thoughts on the game:

1. Jordan Burdine led the way tonight with 34 points. He is well on his way to being tournament MVP. He seems to have gotten out of his shooting funk. I also think when this team is in a close game he will be the go to guy when we need points.
2. Jermain Jackson also had a solid game tonight. He wasn't spectacular, but worked hard on the glass and had a really tough match up in the rotund center Carlos Pujols of ACC.
3. Macho had another good game running the point. He was very successful in maneuvering his way into the paint and getting layups against the ACC 2-3 zone. The Internet rumor that he wouldn't be there cause he was attending to a wedding was a Pennlive hoax just like the rumor that Jaren Burdine wouldn't play for a couple weeks while resting his ankle.
4. I really like how we have picked up the intensity on the defensive end of the court. While we have given up some rebounding presence with putting Nelson Leon in the starting lineup, we have increased our foot speed on defense. Also, I have heard a few people complain that we are giving up too many three pointers. When your constructing a defense you cant take away everything and I like the strategy since the three point shot is a low percentage shot. With the tempo we play at and as the game proceeds into the second half those long jumpers come up short and our like the outlet pass to our fast break.
5. We now will play Upper Darby tomorrow night. I know they are not as talented as they were last year, but this is a team we cant take for granted. They are 6-5 on the young season but you know they believe they can beat us after beating us the last two years in the holiday tournament and are going to come on the court a very confident team.