Reading 55 West York 53

The Reading Red Knights continued their perfect season with a thrilling, heart stopping 55-53 win over the Bulldogs from West York tonight at West York. Here are my thoughts on the game:

1. Jermaine Jackson had probably his best game of his Reading career tonight with 20 points and the winning basket on a driving dunk in the last minute of the game. Every great player has a landmark performance and I think for Jermaine tonight was his. Great job by Coach Reyes to see we had a big size advantage and keep attacking it and forcing West York to make an adjustment.
2. I heard numerous people on the board and after the game complain about the officiating. I thought the officials let both teams play and decide the game. Folks I think the thing to remember here is when you go on the road and especially to another county to play a road game your never going to get a whole lot of calls. The officials really grasped the concept that no one paid their $4 to come watch them, they came to watch the players from both schools play.
3. Tonight's game was a total team effort. Every player seemed to have made a contribution. This is a sign that this team is special and is going to do whatever it takes to win.
4. Nelson Leon woke up out of his offensive doldrums and hit two big three's in the fourth quarter to get Reading back in the lead. In the fourth quarter he also played some great lock down defense.
5. Demrick Cook played very solid and was definitely a force on the defensive side of the court in the limited minutes he played tonight. It was also valuable since it gave Jermaine some time to rest on the bench.
6. Tonight's game was what makes high school basketball special. Two great teams battling it out in a playoff type environment in front of a packed raucous gym.
7. Credit goes out to both teams for playing in this kind of game so close to the end of the regular season. I think you will see this game will make both teams better. West York was definitely as I expected a well coached team who didn't come in to the game in awe of Reading. I think they are definitely a contender for a county title in York County and definitely a contender for the district crown in AAA. Who is to say we might have seen two district champions going at it tonight.
8. I must give props to West York because I think Reading has probably played teams with better talent but I think of all the teams they have played in the regular season they were the smartest and best coached team the Red Knights have seen to this point. I wish them well and their fans had class which is something you cant say for another team nicknamed the Bulldogs.
9. So the season of dreams continues with 4 more Berks league games before we can clinch a perfect regular season. I hope we come back at full strength with all of our players on Tuesday.