Riverside's Reed named all-state in Class 3A basketball

Apr. 29—Brandon Reed continues to carve out an impressive senior year.

Reed emerged as the go-to guy and leader of the Riverside basketball team, helping the program attain championship success it had not enjoyed in several years. His efforts also earned him a spot on the Pennsylvania Sportswriters' Class 3A All-State third team announced Wednesday.

Idris Ali, a senior who led Loyalsock to the state title is Player of the Year and Loyalsock coach Ron Insinger is Coach of the Year. The teams were compiled by sportswriters who cover high school basketball in the state.

It is the second all-state selection this school year for Reed, a senior, who was also chosen in soccer.

"The whole Riverside community is very proud of what Brandon has accomplished this year," Riverside coach Josh Aniska said. "Yes there is the scoring, but what many people outside don't realize is that he led our team in just about every statistical category. He led us in rebounding, steals, assists and field-goal percentage.

"You look at where he was four years ago as a freshman, and a lot of people may not have expected him to improve this much, but he has a long list of accomplishments. He has proved a lot of people wrong and that speaks volumes to his work ethic and commitment."

Following an All-Region season as a junior, the 5-foot-9 Reed became a prominent scorer and defender for the Vikings, who won the Lackawanna Division III and District 2 Class 3A titles. Those were the first championships from the program since 2011.

He averaged 19.8 points per game and was the Lackawanna Division III co-Player of the Year. Reed finished his career with 1,102 points.

A dramatic buzzer-beater against Holy Cross was one of his highlights, but Reed had his best games in the postseason.

He scored 24 points in a District 2 semifinal win against Lakeland, then 24 in the championship game win in overtime against Wyoming Seminary as Riverside reached the state playoffs for the second straight season. Reed scored 17 points in a PIAA first-round loss to Lancaster Catholic.

Reed, who will continue his playing career at Marywood University, averaged

5.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.5 steals per game overall.

"The one thing he proved this year beyond a doubt, and it's a sign of a great player, is that in the biggest moments, those pressure situations, Brandon really thrived and played his best basketball," Aniska said. "Late in a game where we needed a play or a basket, he came through for us.

"In terms of his accomplishments on the court, he is one of the best ever at Riverside. Being named all-state, it doesn't happen that often. He's placed himself in exclusive company and we are all so proud of him and the person he is both on and off the court."

The remaining schedule for release of the all-state team is: Class 4A today; Class 5A on Friday; Class 6A on Saturday.

PENNSYLVANIA SPORTSWRITERS' ALL-STATE BASKETBALL

Class 3A

First team

* Idris Ali, 5-9 Sr. Loyalsock

Nisine Poplar, 6-5 Sr., Math, Civics & Science

Saraj Ali, 6-5 Jr., Loyalsock

Jevin Muniz, 6-5 Sr., Executive Education

Aaron Collins, 5-11 Sr., Erie First Christian

Brendan Boyle, 5-10 Jr., Notre Dame-Green Pond

Second team

Ty Barrett, 6-0 Jr., Troy

Justin Moore, 6-1 Jr., Bishop McDevitt

Michael Balichik, 6-3 Sr., Mount Carmel

Devin Atkinson 6-0 Sr., Lancaster Catholic

IV Pettit, 6-2 Jr., Devon Prep

Kobe Magee, 6-4 Jr., Executive Education

Third team

Kobe Kratzer, 6-3 Sr., Palmerton

Matt Whysong, 6-0 Jr., Chestnut Ridge

Brandon Reed, 5-9 Sr., Riverside

Ethan Hartman, 6-5 Sr., Warrior Run

Benny Cano, 6-3 Sr., Greenville

Cameron Khoza, 6-7 Sr., Bishop Guilfoyle

Coach of the Year: Ron Insinger, Loyalsock

* Denotes Player of the Year

Contact the writer: jbfawcett@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9125; @sportsTT on Twitter