Xavier Davis will attend the University of Tampa and major in business.
Drew Shelton will attend Penn State and play football as a four-star recruit.
But Davis’ physical play against the 6-6, 290-pound Shelton set the tone for Reading High’s defense in a 56-42 victory over Downingtown West in a PIAA Class 6A boys basketball opener Wednesday night at Geigle Complex.
Davis had eight points, seven rebounds and five steals and limited Shelton, who’s 5 inches taller and about 90 pounds heavier, to seven points.
Davis knew Shelton by his number (44) but not his name. He was told that Shelton was a highly touted offensive lineman.
“He didn’t seem like it against Reading High,” Davis said. “I didn’t even know who he was. We treat everybody the same. We’re going to come out and play with the same energy no matter what.”
The District 3 champion Red Knights (26-3) advanced to the second round Saturday and will play Archbishop Wood, a 77-50 winner over Plymouth-Whitemarsh, in a rematch of last year’s state title game at a time and site to be announced.
Reading forced the Whippets (18-9), the No. 12 team from District 1, into 26 turnovers and held them to 6-of-22 shooting in the second half.
West at times played a front line of Shelton, 6-11 Jake Warren and 6-5 Donovan Fromhartz against Reading, which played no one taller than 6-2. The three combined for only nine points.
“We’re usually outsized so that was nothing,” said Ruben Rodriguez, who had 23 points for the Red Knights. “We have to be able to hit the big men, get them tired and keep them running. Big men can’t really take that for a long time.”
Reading wore down its opponent like it usually does with pressure and a rapid transition game. After the Whippets trimmed it to 32-29 in the third quarter, Rodriguez converted two steals into layups and then scored on a break with an assist from Davis.
West got no closer than five the rest of the way.
“It’s states,” Rodriguez said. “We know every game’s going to be a battle, no matter what team we’re playing or how low they are in the rankings.
“We had to come out, play together and fight. We had a couple ups and downs, but I feel like we did a good job finishing it off.”
Myles Grey scored 11 points for Reading, including eight in the second half.
Whippets junior Dylan Blair, who was averaging 20 points a game, had 15 but none in the final 12 minutes when the Red Knights often double-teamed him.
“We were pressuring him and getting the ball out of his hands,” Rodriguez said. “He’s a really good scorer. We just had to limit his shots.”
Reading jumped to a 13-2 lead before West changed its defense from man-to-man to zone, which caused problems. The Red Knights had trouble attacking inside because of the Whippets’ size and made just 9-of-33 attempts in the first half.
“We were just rushing shots early,” Reading coach Rick Perez said. “Defensively we weren’t getting good rotation. When you play poor offense, you’re going to play poor defense.”
Blair made back-to-back 3s to put the Whippets up 19-16 midway through the second. Shelton’s inside basket made it 22-18 before Reading scored the final five points of the half.
Grey grabbed a defensive rebound and threw a pretty outlet pass to Rodriguez, who converted a three-point play. Then Rodriguez fed Justin Walker for a layup that just beat the buzzer.
Reading never trailed again.
Davis, who’s the president of Reading’s senior class, and classmates Joey Chapman and Walker played in their final game at the Geigle and came away with a win.
“It was amazing,” Davis said. “It was my last game here. I remember my first game as a freshman. I’m ecstatic. The energy was amazing. I knew that with states, it’s win or go home. The next game is not guaranteed.”
Davis had six points, four assists and four rebounds in the second half when the Red Knights decided it.
“X has been the glue guy since he became a starter in 10th grade,” Perez said. “He wasn’t even 6-1 back then, but he still brought the heat. He’s going to do whatever it takes for us to win.”
Source: Berkshire mont
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