Instant classic.
It’s hard to describe the BCIAA boys basketball championship game any other way.
From the intensity of two crosstown rivals to clutch shots under the bright lights of Santander Arena, and capped off by an overtime thriller that went right down to the wire, it had everything a fan could ask for.
But in the end, only one team could come out on top, as the Berks Catholic Saints earned a hard-fought 62-57 victory over Reading High on Friday night.
“Amazing,” senior All-State guard Kingson McKoy said. “Finally, we got a chip. That’s what I’ve been working for. I wouldn’t want to win against anybody else, except Reading, especially an overtime win. It’s like you earned it. You wanted to earn it.”
Lifting their first Berks County championship since 2018 was well deserved for the top-seeded Saints (22–2), who showed an all-around effort not just Friday night, but all season long, a run that’s seen them go nearly 50 days without a loss.
Reading’s Javon Merriweather goes for two of his eight points against Berks Catholic in a 62-57 Saints victory over the Red Knights in the BCIAA boys’ final on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at the Santander Arena. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
“I’m so happy for these guys. I couldn’t be prouder of them,” Saints coach Snip Esterly said. “I thought in regulation, we almost blew it. We took some ill-advised shots sometimes with the lead but on that last possession defensively, that was probably the best defense we’ve played all year. I begged them to just play the one possession. It’s all we need, and we got the turnover. It was great.”
Late in the fourth quarter, the Saints held a 54-48 lead. But if Reading High coach Rick Perez’s teams are known for anything, it’s that they never quit.
Reading’s Cameron Jones answered with a bucket, then went 1-for-2 from the free-throw line to cut the deficit to a single possession.
The third-seeded Red Knights (18-7) stepped up defensively, forcing key stops before Weshly Rosario and Jostin DeCastro each went to the line, combining to hit 3-of-4 free throws to tie the game with 1:22 remaining in regulation.
The Saints ran down the clock to set up the final shot of regulation.
Berks Catholic’s Carmelo Harper drives for two of his 14 points against Reading’s Weshley Rosario in a 62-57 Saints victory over the Red Knights in the BCIAA boys’ final on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at the Santander Arena. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
McKoy, who finished with 29 points and six assists, had the ball in his hands with a chance to deliver the game-winner. Driving right with Rosario on his hip, the Saints’ leading scorer put up a layup through contact, but the shot rolled off the rim, sending the game into overtime and giving fans some free basketball.
Jones knocked down a step-back three from the right wing, putting the Red Knights back in front for the first time since halftime.
But that would be Reading’s final basket of the night.
On the following possession, McKoy drove and kicked it out to Brady Altimar in the left corner. Without a moment’s hesitation, Altimar let it fly, and drilled nothing but net on the biggest shot of the year to tie the game.
“Playing here, it’s Reading, so it’s kind of like their home (court),” Altimar said of the game’s atmosphere. “Reading’s intensity is always a bit more, but we know how to keep our composure and do our best.”
“I told him and I told everybody on our team that they need to shoot the ball with confidence because we need everybody,” McKoy said. “We need effort from all five guys on the court at one time. So, for Brady to make that it was huge and he’s clutch.”
After two crucial defensive stops, Altimar and McKoy each drew fouls and calmly sank their free throws, extending the Saints’ lead to 61-57 with 20.7 seconds left.
“It feels awesome,” Altimar said of the win. “We lost freshman year in the semis, sophomore year in the semis, junior year in the semis, and to finally get over that hump and beat a really good Reading team in the county championship, it just means a lot.”
Berks Catholic’s Kingston McCoy takes one of his five 3-pointers against Reading in a 62-57 Saints victory over the Red Knights in the BCIAA boys’ final on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at the Santander Arena. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
To cap off an all-around stellar performance, Carmelo Harper stole the ball from Jones to seal the victory, sparking the celebration for Berks Catholic.
“Just had to put pressure on them,” Harper said. “Once we put pressure on them, we know they’re going to throw offensive turnovers. Getting up on them, we know they will fumble the ball. And we just all play that role defensively.”
The Saints forced more than 10 turnovers, including several key stops in the final stretch, showing just how badly they wanted the win.
While one sideline erupted in celebration, there were tears on the Red Knights’ side.
Yet each Reading player and coach went over to congratulate the Saints on their accomplishment as they headed toward the locker room.
Rosario and Jones each finished with 12 points and were instrumental in keeping Reading in the game.
For the Saints, Harper had 14 points and three assists, while Oye Guilavoqui contributed eight points, including two three-pointers.
Reading’s Jostin DeCastro is fouled as he drives against Berks Catholic in a 62-57 Saints victory over the Red Knights in the BCIAA boys’ final on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at the Santander Arena. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
The Red Knights will enter the District 3 Class 6A playoffs as the fifth seed next week, while Berks Catholic again holds the top seed in Class 4A with hopes of winning their fourth title in five years.
The championship game itself was a treat from the opening tip.
Both teams scored on their first four possessions, trading buckets and giving fans a clear idea of the thrilling contest to come.
Tied at 10 apiece, McKoy stood at the left wing, jab-stepped to create separation, and drained his first of five deep balls of the game, forcing Perez to switch Reading into a zone defense.
“You wouldn’t want to play anywhere else,” McKoy said. “The atmosphere is amazing. Every bucket feels like it’s earned. Every bucket feels like a big bucket and that’s what we want.”
At the 3:40 mark of the second quarter, the Red Knights tied it again after Jones threw a slick backdoor pass to Raybin Rubio, who converted the layup.
Jamier Jacob then pulled up in transition to retake the lead, eventually sending the teams into halftime at 26–24.
In the second half, McKoy dominated, finding his spots on the court with the same ease as OKC Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Colgate commit scored five quick points to reclaim the lead, and later, Harper found him in transition for another three-pointer, giving the Saints their largest lead of the game at 40-33.
“One of the main goals I had today was making it known on the court that I’m the best player on the floor,” McKoy said. “I got to it early. I wanted to create. I wanted to get to the paint, create for others and that’s what opened it up. I was able to hit some threes. I’ve been settling for threes ever since I developed a jump shot. So, being able to get downhill, get to the rim, and create for my teammates is really what won us the game. It opened up the midrange and it’s been great for us.”
Reading High coach Rick Perez congratulates Berks Catholic coach Snip Esterly following a 62-57 Saints victory over the Red Knights in the BCIAA boys’ final on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at the Santander Arena. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
At the buzzer to end the third quarter, Rosario backed Altimar in the post and made a tough shot while falling to tie the game at 45.
The final 13 minutes of the game delivered a basketball performance that everyone in attendance will remember for years to come.