What to know about the boys basketball teams in Division III of the Berks Conference

Brian Smith, Reading Eagle, Pa.
·2 min read

Nov. 29—Fleetwood

Coach: Terry Sitler, 11th season, 96.115.

Last season: 9-2 Berks III, 16-8; District 3 Class 5A qualifier.

PIAA classification: 4A.

Top players: All-Berks 6-2 G Jake Karnish, all-division 5-11 G Aiden Soumas, 6-0 PG Nate Herb, 6-3 F Braden (Kevin) Williams

Others to watch: 6-7 C Hunter Svoboda, 6-0 PG Liam Hilburt, 6-3 C Travis Loy.

Outlook: The Tigers appear to have the talent to repeat as Berks III champions. Jake Karnish averaged 17.2 points per game and Aiden Soumas 10. With a versatile offense that is bolstered by height and experience, the Tigers figure to post the top scoring numbers in the division.

Schuylkill Valley

Coach: Taylor Grim, 11th season, 99-122.

Last season: 3-8 Berks III, 7-14.

PIAA classification: 4A.

Top players: Mark Rajnath, Elijah Houser, Dominic Giuffre.

Others to watch: Cooper Hohenadel, Kelton Faulk, Jacob Zimmerman.

Outlook: The Panthers are looking for a bounce-back season after a solid summer. Schuylkill Valley will need breakout years from players like Dominic Giuffre, Elijah Houser and Mark Rajnath after the graduations of Ben Eddinger and Troy Frantz, the team's leading scorers from last season.

Hamburg

Coach: Kevin McFarland, first season.

Last season: 2-9 Berks III, 5-17.

PIAA classification: 4A.

Top players: 6-5 F/C Xander Menapace, 6-3 G/F Kevin McFarland, 5-10 G Luke Bensinger.

Others to watch: 6-0 G Conner Licklider, 6-2 F Connor Gruber, F/C 6-2 Morgan James.

Outlook: The Hawks have a large senior class that is looking to end on a positive note. After playing for years, Hamburg will look to learn as a group and make a splash under a new head coach.

Wyomissing

Coach: Ryan Ludwig, sixth season, 60-49.

Last season: 8-3 Berks III, 12-11; District 3 Class 4A qualifier.

PIAA classification: 4A.

Top players: 5-11 G Drew Eisenhower, 6-2 F Ben Zechman.

Others to watch: 5-10 G Logan Hyde, 6-1 F Evan Blickley.

Outlook: After losing last year's top three scorers who combined to average 35 points per game (Julian O'Brien, Amory Thompson and Nevin Carter) the Spartans will need a new group to step up. Senior leaders Drew Eisenhower and Ben Zechman may be forced to do the heavy lifting on offense. Wyomissing will need defensive intensity to remain competitive.