HERSHEY – Tate Landis, Warwick’s best player, looked exhausted by the end of the second quarter.
Reading High’s relentless defense first took its toll on Landis and then the rest of the Warriors.
“I just tried to force him into the help from my teammates,” said junior Amier Burdine, who was among three Red Knights who rotated on Landis. “I tried to contest every shot he took.
“Our defense wore them down. They couldn’t run with us at all when we turned the pressure up on them.”
Ruben Rodriguez scored 23 points and Reading’s pressure subdued Warwick in the second half of a 68-43 victory for the District 3 Class 6A title Saturday night at Giant Center.
“I tried to tire him out,” said junior Myles Grey, another Red Knight who guarded Landis. “I tried to put pressure on him the whole time. Not a lot of people can handle our pressure for a whole game. That’s what happened tonight.”
Landis scored 10 points, well below his 17.8 average, on just 3-of-9 shooting. The Red Knights forced Warwick into 15 turnovers and converted many of them into fastbreak chances.
The seventh-seeded Warriors (20-6), making their first appearance in a district final since 1984, trailed by 12 at halftime and pulled within 41-36 in the third quarter on two free throws by Caleb Johnson.
Reading responded with a 9-0 run to close the quarter, including a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Rodriguez after a Warwick inbound pass was tipped by Grey.
“When we play defense like we do for all four quarters, teams get tired,” senior Xavier Davis said. “Some teams get tired in the first quarter.
“Fatigue is the main distraction when you play against anyone. It deteriorates your performance and we take advantage of that.”
Joey Chapman scored a career-high 19 points while again wearing the No. 21 jersey of injured teammate Daniel Alcantara, who watched in street clothes. Chapman had the first three baskets of the fourth quarter, which came in the middle of a 25-2 run that floored Warwick.
“We stayed patient,” Davis said. “We hit with a couple jabs and when they think they’re on their run, we throw the haymaker.”
The top-seeded Red Knights (25-3) won back-to-back district titles for the first time since 1977 and picked up their record 23rd championship overall. It’s also their fourth crown under coach Rick Perez.
“That’s just pretty cool,” Perez said. “We don’t go out to set records, but that’s awesome.”
Rodriguez was superb on offense, making 8-of-13 shots and delivering five assists. He made his first four shots of the night.
“I felt my shot going in during the pregame,” Rodriguez said. “I kept getting the ball and seeing it go in. I don’t know. It was just crazy. I was making everything.”
Davis had 11 points for Reading, which became the first team since Carlisle (1984-88) to reach five straight District 3 finals in the highest classification.
The Red Knights will open the PIAA Tournament Wednesday at Geigle Complex against the No. 12 team from District 1.
Avery Sapp and Johnson each had 10 points for Warwick, which last won a district title in 1984 in Class 3A.
In the first half, Warwick neutralized Reading’s pressure by making 6-of-9 shots in the first quarter and stayed within 17-15. Carter Horst had five points for the Warriors.
Rodriguez, though, made his first four attempts — including a pair of 3-pointers — and had 10 points.
The Red Knights’ defense began to get to Warwick in the second quarter. They began to trap, even in the backcourt, and forced five turnovers.
At the other end of the court, Chapman was very active. He found Davis for two layups, converted an assist from Rodriguez and then put back a miss. Rodriguez scored after a steal and Aris Rodriguez drained a 3 to give Reading a 12-point lead, which the Red Knights maintained at the break (35-23).
It was a special night for Chapman and Davis, who won gold as seniors.
“It means a lot,” Davis said. “Winning as a senior is just amazing.”
Source: Berkshire mont
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