JotCast | Boys High School Basketball Chat

Boys High School Basketball Chat

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Mike Drago

11:38

Good morning. Chat will start at noon today.

You can enter questions and comments now.

12:06

Good afternoon, and welcome to our weekly Berks hoops chat.

If you were at the games last night, and want to talk about them ...

or if you want to talk about Friday's championship game, you're in the right place.

12:07

Log your questions and comments now and I'll try to get to as many as I can over the next hour.

MIKE

12:07

Good to see the Redknights bounce back and become county champs. Bc just doesn't have enough offense and Reading has the best player on the floor.

Mike Drago

12:08

Wow, so it's a forgone conclusion Reading's going to win Friday?

I might as well not bother writing an advance for the game today.

Granted, Reading is the favorite after what we've seen the last few weeks, but I'm not as sure as you are about all of that, Mike.

Knights of the Roundball

12:09

Wesley is obviously the MVP, but Reading's season really started to click once Choco took the next step and started playing with some major confidence. Excited to see how he finishes the year and then takes the reins next year

Mike Drago

12:09

Good point, 'ball

Red Knights have been a team in transition all season, but once Choco gained some confidence and started scoring they became a different team.

Lots of other factors involved, too.

12:10

And you can't overlook the way Wes Butler put this team on his back the first month or so. When he wasn't scoring, they weren't scoring through those first 8, 10 games.

Kingforaday

12:10

Any reason BC struggled the last 2 games pulling out close wins? Is it all because Painton is out sick?

Mike Drago

12:10

Well, they certainly miss Luke Painton. Who wouldn't miss a 6-7 center and All-State defensive end in the middle of your defense?

12:11

That's not the only reason.

Saints have not been shooting the ball well lately. In fact, other than Luis Garcia, and Nick Gaspari off the bench, they haven't shot well from the outside much of the season.

Kutztown exposed some holes in the Saints' game last night. Ted Snyder did a great job coming up with a game plan, and his players hung in there much longer than anyone expected.

Kingforaday

12:12

Will Painton play Friday?

Mike Drago

12:12

I'm not expecting it.

He hasn't played or practiced in about two weeks, so it's very unlikely we see him Friday.

Brian19

12:12

This Kutztown team has impressed me this year. Lorencz isn't the only threat anymore and they gave BC a game last night. Their schedule was definitely more of a challenge this year, as well. Do you think they can make a district or even state tournament run?

Mike Drago

12:13

I can see the Cougars getting back to the Class 3 finals again. Last night had to be a tremendous confidence-booster for them.

Also a great experience playing in a big arena like that. That will get them ready should they reach title game at Giant Center.

Knights of the Roundball

12:14

For two programs (and fan bases) that have a contentious relationship, it's actually kinda nice how much Perez and Coldren like each other. Even last night before a HUGE matchup, their pregame interaction tells that there's no hatred there.

Mike Drago

12:14

There's a mutual respect there. Don't forget, Rick play at Wilson when Matt was an assistant coach there, so their relationship goes back a long way.

There's mutual respect between the players, too.

12:15

It wasn't always like that. Back in the 80s and 90s, when Coldren played, it was pure blood and guts.

Will never forget the brawl over at Wilson during the Kerry Collins/Donyell Marshall days.

That rivalry is in a much higher place now.

JOHNNY

12:16

After watching Muhlenberg the last few games its pretty evident that while they have come a long way,there still not ready for the big games yet, maybe next year they will be. This is a program that is used to being done with 4 wins every year.

Mike Drago

12:17

Muhls sort of hit the wall a few weeks ago. They had a great week in mid January, beating Wilson and taking Reading to the wire at the Geigle.

Since then they've lost a little something. Don't seem to be as aggressive offensively.

Or, just maybe teams finally adjusted to their open offense and all the shooters they have.

12:18

More good things coming for the Muhls. Remember, Tyrone Nesby got a late start heading into his first season. They made a lot more progress between Years 1 and 2. Expect more of the same heading into next season.

Kenny

12:19

Hi Mike, I watched the boys games last night and was not impressed with BC. A lot of unforced errors and sloppy play. After watching Reading play I would say they have the edge with toughness and a few more athletes. It felt like the Reading/Wilson game was the championship game. I feel BC has really been helped by the playoff set up to get to the championship every year. Of course the games against Reading always depend on how well you can handle their pressure. Im predicting a score of 57-49 Reading. What say you?

Mike Drago

12:19

That's a mouthful, Kenny.

You made a lot of points, and I mostly agree with you.

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