District 3 Playoffs

AAAA

Finals--Giant Center, Hershey

March 6, 2010

Reading 54 Hempfield 46

In a battle of District 3 heavyweights, the Reading Red Knights beat the Hempfield Black Knights.:) Reading entered at 26-2, and Hempfield was 27-0. Trenity Burdine, 6’5” senior forward for Reading was the difference. Burdine, a Seina - bound recruit, hit huge threes to bring the Knights back and jumpers to extend the lead. Reading would go a few mini-runs thanks to their defensive pressure. The turnovers were even but Hempfield’s turnovers led to hoops. Reading’s wing span on the def end also kept Hempfield away from its power inside game. Reading wins its 19th District 3 title with the win.

During the first quarter, both teams were feeling each other out. The refs let them play early, which seemed to be advantage to Reading. Both teams played half court man, but the Raeding Knights used a variety of full court traps (2-2-1, diamond, and a 1-1-3 zone) to keep Hempfield guessing. Jalen Bradford , listed as 6’ but more like 5’9”, started the game hot. He nailed a three and a lay-up to score Reading’s first 5 points. Hempfield took a 9-6 lead on a three ball by Zach Sheetz at the 3:30 mark. Reading would turn up the heat on the def. end as Yamil Echavarria scored 5 points in a row off of Hempfield turnovers. 14-9 Reading with 2:24 on the clock. The quarter ended at 16-13.

Hempfield would use the three ball to take the lead in the third. Triples by Christian Walck(2), 6’1” sn. and Sheetz would provide enough offense to give Hempfield a 26-23 lead at the break. Burdine, at this point, only had 4 points. Hempfield had 8 turnovers for the half as did Reading.

The tempo would increase greatly in the third. Reading again would pressure Hempfield with full and half court defense. The Black Knights would score first to take a 28-23 lead but then Reading went to work. Burdine would hit 3 three balls in the quarter with the last one coming with 00 on the clock from the deep corner. Reading finished the quarter with a 10-0 run as the turn-over bug bit the Black Knights during the quarter. Reading 36-29.

Hempfield would ride the three-ball to get it closer. The Black Knights closed the gap to 2 points at 43-41 with 3:08 on the clock on 2 foul shots by 6’5” center, Taylor McDuffie. Reading would put and end to any thoughts of a Hempfield win as the Red Knights ran off a 9-0 run capped off by a banker 3 by Burdine. Some fouls and keep away would finish off the game. 54-46.

Stats

Rebounds
Reading 22 Hempfield 18

Turnovers
Reading 15 Hempfield 16

Blocked shots
Hempfield 5 Reading 2

Points
Reading
Trenity Burdine 20
Yamil Echavarria 14

Hempfield
Christian Walck 20
Zach Sheetz 12
Taylor McDuffie 10

Quotables…Reading’s head coach Tim Redding…”We wanted Trent to be more active in the second half…We wore them down with our bench..Trent always is up for a big game. He lets the game come to him but we still need to draw up some plays to keep him involved…Our guys were hungry and we had a high level of intensity..

Hempfield’s Warren Goodling…”Burdine made big plays…we missed some shots we usually make..They forced us to speed up….Walck is a very good player. We know that.We wanted to win today but we also wanted the opportunity to get into the PIAA tournament.”

This and That..a nice crowd at Hershey today…seems like attendance is not released anymore..Sam Gruber, ex PIAA/college ref, was observing the game…Answer to trivia question of how many steps from the first floor to the court is ..60…Good to see Jason G courtside. Jason is writing for the Reading Eagle this year…States start next weekend. Look for both of the Knights to be close to home. Rumor has it that there will be a lot of games played at the Arena.

Food review..Penn Hotel and Sports Bar in Hershey. Good wings..Great place to watch games..excellent service/management.

~ Dell Jackson