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Berks Catholic can look back with pride and ahead with optimism.
After coming within one win of scaling the PIAA basketball summit, the Saints can take solace in a historic season.
In their first-ever PIAA Class 4A State championship appearance, they fell to Devon Prep 55-39 at the Giant Center in Hershey on Thursday night but left an indelible mark on Berks County basketball.
The Saints (25-6) trailed 38-36 heading into the fourth quarter but went scoreless for the opening six minutes, which ultimately sealed the game for the District 12 champions.
Junior Kingston McKoy, the BCIAA Player of the Year, led the team with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Carmelo Harper, a freshman and a big reason for optimism about the future, scored nine points.
“You know he’s good with when every team focuses, and that’s their game plans to stop in Kingston,” Saints coach Snip Esterly said of his leading scorer. “That’s where some of the other guys got to come offensively. Hopefully, they’ll work on their game in the summertime. I thought Melo did a super job off the bench today, but a couple of other guys struggled offensively.”
It was a heartbreaking loss after an entertaining first 24 minutes for fans in Hershey, but Saints’ fans should still appreciate the impressive run they witnessed over the past month.
“I appreciated the run. I mean, without them, we wouldn’t be here,” Esterly said. “They were so enjoyable to coach. It was so nice to come into the gym. They work hard, they have fun, and they like each other. That’s what’s great about it.”
The Saints finished the regular season with a 17-4 record, as McKoy was named Berks Player of the Year, and senior Zach Suski earned All-Division 1 Honorable Mention honors.
Berks Catholic’s Zach Suski shoots a 3-pointer on his way to a 19-point game in a 67-44 District 3 Class 4A championship victory over Eastern York on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, a the Giant Center in Hershey. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
The clear favorite to win and claim their first county title since 2018 after securing the top seed in the BCIAA playoffs, the Saints were upset by Reading High in the semifinal round at Santander Arena on Feb. 13.
That loss flipped a switch in the locker room for the young Saints team, which had only two seniors playing significant minutes throughout the season.
As the top-seed again in District 3 Class 4A, Berks Catholic defeated Bishop McDevitt, Susquehanna Township, and Eastern York en route to the school’s sixth district title.
The Saints won by an average of 20 points. McKoy led the team with 17 points per game, and Suski followed up with 15 ppg.
“Zach (Suski) made himself a nice little player,” Esterly said of his graduating senior. “I can’t say enough about Zach. He just played his heart out and gave us a tremendous run.”
The District 3 champs remained hot on both ends of the court heading into the PIAA state playoffs.
Berks Catholic’s Carmelo Harper drives for two of his nine points in a 55-39 loss to Devon Prep in the PIAA Class 4A state championship on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at the Giant Center in Hershey. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
McKoy kicked off the first round with a 30-point performance, leading the Saints to a 61-36 victory over District 12 fifth-place finishers, Simon Gratz.
In the next round against Scranton Prep, the Saints trailed 39-37 heading into the fourth quarter. However, behind Bryce Gumby’s 12 points off the bench, they managed to secure a 51-47 win.
Throughout the entire season, different players have stepped up to take a hand in scoring the basketball.
Even on McKoy’s off nights, Suski, Gumby or Harper picked up in getting points on the board, which made this 2024-25 Saints team dangerous in the playoffs.
“That’s what is great about playoffs. You have no clue who’s going to step it up,” Esterly said. “Everybody steps up has a great role in this, and they’re doing a fantastic job.”
In their quarterfinal 67-58 win over Sharon, McKoy scored 23 points, reaching the 1,000-point career milestone.
With six consecutive wins, the Saints were on top of the world but stayed focused on their ultimate goal: a state title.
District 7 second-place finishers, North Catholic, stood between the Saints and a state appearance. With eight minutes remaining in the semifinal game, the Saints trailed 47-44.
Midway through the quarter, Harper hit a three-pointer to give the Saints the lead, and they never looked back.
“What a great year he had. He’s only a freshman. I mean, he made some freshman mistakes, but my God, he was not scared at all, and he was playing hard,” Esterly said. “And I can’t say enough, he’s going to be a nice, wise player, because he has a great work ethic like Kingston does, and he’s going to be even better next year.”
Gumby (13), Harper (6) and McKoy (6) scored all of Berks Catholic’s 23 points in the final period to seal the game, 67-59.
Against Devon Prep, nerves played a factor early for both teams. However, after settling in, it turned into a heavyweight matchup as the teams traded blows.
Berks Catholic was never able to take the lead after having an opportunity to do so late in the third.
But in the fourth quarter, the Saints’ offense vanished, while the Tide’s offense went on a 12-0 run.
After a playoff run where the Saints found scoring from players other than McKoy, they weren’t as fortunate on the big stage.
“Offensively, anyone can hurt you in this sport, and we’ve got to be able to get that,” Esterly said. “I’m looking at next year, and that’s what we have to have next year. We can’t just rely on Kingston and Carmelo for that matter. We have to get more scoring.”
The sorrow on the faces of the Saints as they exited the court was visible, but the future is bright at Berks Catholic.
The Saints graduate five seniors: Zach Suski, Bryce Gumby, Jonathan Bennett, Jake Linderman and Michael Fidler.
“High school, you get new faces every year, and I’m gonna miss them,” Esterly said of his senior class. “All my seniors, they’re good kids. You can’t ask for anything better than that.”
On the bright side, McKoy enters his senior season and will only continue to improve during the offseason. He put the state on notice with his talents this season.
Harper will return as a sophomore and could be a real threat to earn all-county honors next season. His playmaking and scoring ability as a freshman were certainly a sight to see.
Other key contributors returning include Gavin Welker, Brady Altimar, Jackson Kozik and Johnny Giesa.
“They know to get back here to put the work in,” said Esterly. “Players are made in the summer, teams are made in the winter.”
Continue reading...
After coming within one win of scaling the PIAA basketball summit, the Saints can take solace in a historic season.
In their first-ever PIAA Class 4A State championship appearance, they fell to Devon Prep 55-39 at the Giant Center in Hershey on Thursday night but left an indelible mark on Berks County basketball.
The Saints (25-6) trailed 38-36 heading into the fourth quarter but went scoreless for the opening six minutes, which ultimately sealed the game for the District 12 champions.
Junior Kingston McKoy, the BCIAA Player of the Year, led the team with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Carmelo Harper, a freshman and a big reason for optimism about the future, scored nine points.
“You know he’s good with when every team focuses, and that’s their game plans to stop in Kingston,” Saints coach Snip Esterly said of his leading scorer. “That’s where some of the other guys got to come offensively. Hopefully, they’ll work on their game in the summertime. I thought Melo did a super job off the bench today, but a couple of other guys struggled offensively.”
It was a heartbreaking loss after an entertaining first 24 minutes for fans in Hershey, but Saints’ fans should still appreciate the impressive run they witnessed over the past month.
“I appreciated the run. I mean, without them, we wouldn’t be here,” Esterly said. “They were so enjoyable to coach. It was so nice to come into the gym. They work hard, they have fun, and they like each other. That’s what’s great about it.”
The Saints finished the regular season with a 17-4 record, as McKoy was named Berks Player of the Year, and senior Zach Suski earned All-Division 1 Honorable Mention honors.
Berks Catholic’s Zach Suski shoots a 3-pointer on his way to a 19-point game in a 67-44 District 3 Class 4A championship victory over Eastern York on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, a the Giant Center in Hershey. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
The clear favorite to win and claim their first county title since 2018 after securing the top seed in the BCIAA playoffs, the Saints were upset by Reading High in the semifinal round at Santander Arena on Feb. 13.
That loss flipped a switch in the locker room for the young Saints team, which had only two seniors playing significant minutes throughout the season.
As the top-seed again in District 3 Class 4A, Berks Catholic defeated Bishop McDevitt, Susquehanna Township, and Eastern York en route to the school’s sixth district title.
The Saints won by an average of 20 points. McKoy led the team with 17 points per game, and Suski followed up with 15 ppg.
“Zach (Suski) made himself a nice little player,” Esterly said of his graduating senior. “I can’t say enough about Zach. He just played his heart out and gave us a tremendous run.”
The District 3 champs remained hot on both ends of the court heading into the PIAA state playoffs.
Berks Catholic’s Carmelo Harper drives for two of his nine points in a 55-39 loss to Devon Prep in the PIAA Class 4A state championship on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at the Giant Center in Hershey. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
McKoy kicked off the first round with a 30-point performance, leading the Saints to a 61-36 victory over District 12 fifth-place finishers, Simon Gratz.
In the next round against Scranton Prep, the Saints trailed 39-37 heading into the fourth quarter. However, behind Bryce Gumby’s 12 points off the bench, they managed to secure a 51-47 win.
Throughout the entire season, different players have stepped up to take a hand in scoring the basketball.
Even on McKoy’s off nights, Suski, Gumby or Harper picked up in getting points on the board, which made this 2024-25 Saints team dangerous in the playoffs.
“That’s what is great about playoffs. You have no clue who’s going to step it up,” Esterly said. “Everybody steps up has a great role in this, and they’re doing a fantastic job.”
In their quarterfinal 67-58 win over Sharon, McKoy scored 23 points, reaching the 1,000-point career milestone.
With six consecutive wins, the Saints were on top of the world but stayed focused on their ultimate goal: a state title.
District 7 second-place finishers, North Catholic, stood between the Saints and a state appearance. With eight minutes remaining in the semifinal game, the Saints trailed 47-44.
Midway through the quarter, Harper hit a three-pointer to give the Saints the lead, and they never looked back.
“What a great year he had. He’s only a freshman. I mean, he made some freshman mistakes, but my God, he was not scared at all, and he was playing hard,” Esterly said. “And I can’t say enough, he’s going to be a nice, wise player, because he has a great work ethic like Kingston does, and he’s going to be even better next year.”
Gumby (13), Harper (6) and McKoy (6) scored all of Berks Catholic’s 23 points in the final period to seal the game, 67-59.
Against Devon Prep, nerves played a factor early for both teams. However, after settling in, it turned into a heavyweight matchup as the teams traded blows.
Berks Catholic was never able to take the lead after having an opportunity to do so late in the third.
But in the fourth quarter, the Saints’ offense vanished, while the Tide’s offense went on a 12-0 run.
After a playoff run where the Saints found scoring from players other than McKoy, they weren’t as fortunate on the big stage.
“Offensively, anyone can hurt you in this sport, and we’ve got to be able to get that,” Esterly said. “I’m looking at next year, and that’s what we have to have next year. We can’t just rely on Kingston and Carmelo for that matter. We have to get more scoring.”
The sorrow on the faces of the Saints as they exited the court was visible, but the future is bright at Berks Catholic.
The Saints graduate five seniors: Zach Suski, Bryce Gumby, Jonathan Bennett, Jake Linderman and Michael Fidler.
“High school, you get new faces every year, and I’m gonna miss them,” Esterly said of his senior class. “All my seniors, they’re good kids. You can’t ask for anything better than that.”
On the bright side, McKoy enters his senior season and will only continue to improve during the offseason. He put the state on notice with his talents this season.
Harper will return as a sophomore and could be a real threat to earn all-county honors next season. His playmaking and scoring ability as a freshman were certainly a sight to see.
Other key contributors returning include Gavin Welker, Brady Altimar, Jackson Kozik and Johnny Giesa.
“They know to get back here to put the work in,” said Esterly. “Players are made in the summer, teams are made in the winter.”
Continue reading...
