Fantastic journey nearing its end for decorated Reading High boys basketball seniors

Mar. 24—The same few words come up again and again.

Bond. Brotherhood. Love.

Reading High's Amier Burdine, Myles Grey and Ruben Rodriguez have grown up together, had success together, been disappointed together, and gotten closer through it all.

Those tight relationships are a big reason the Red Knights will be playing for their second state boys basketball title in three years Saturday against defending champ Roman Catholic in the PIAA Class 6A final at Hershey's Giant Center at 8 p.m.

Those three were key contributors as sophomores when Reading High beat Archbishop Wood 58-57 in the title game — they're the only three who played in that game who will see the court Saturday — and now are the seniors and elder statesman.

"They exemplify the growth that's supposed to take place," Red Knights coach Rick Perez said. "They came in, they were so eager to learn, and they learned and they never stopped wanting to learn. They embraced every single habit, every single value that we've had. So from when they came in to the day that there'll be done, they left the program in a better place.

"It's just awesome to have a front row seat to their growth."

For many, it's been awesome to have a front row seat to watch them on the basketball court, too.

They've led the Red Knights (31-1) to an 83-7 record over the last three seasons, including the last two Berks Conference titles and three straight District 3 championships.

It's a journey that started more than 13 years ago.

Rodriguez said he has a picture of him and Burdine from pre-kindergarten. Grey said he and Burdine met in first grade at Riverside Elementary.

"My first time playing basketball, he was on my team," Grey said of Burdine. "There's where our bond grew, our brotherhood grew."

All three eventually ended up playing in the Reading KTB program — along with current teammates such as All-Berks guard and fellow senior Aris Rodriguez, as well as Berks Catholic's Josiah Jordan and Wilson's Cameron Jones — which is where the dreams of future glory began to take shape.

"They just put us all together on a team one time and it was history from there," Rodriguez said.

"We talked about this moment, getting here when we were younger," Burdine said. "We talked about our senior year that we're gonna get to the state championship.

"It's crazy. It's really crazy having the thoughts of it at a young age, then it coming to life."

The road from those elementary school gyms to Saturday's game at Giant Center has had its twists and turns.

But through it all, those close relationships, apparent when Grey throws a blind pass because he knows where Rodriguez is going to be, have stayed strong.

"That love has always been there," Burdine said. "We knew coming in that that love was always gonna be there. And it's great that we kept that love together throughout all the years."

Rodriguez, a 6-2 guard, has become the star. He played his freshman season at Muhlenberg, winning his first of four District 3 titles, before building his legacy as a Red Knight.

He is a three-time All-Berks pick, a two-time Berks Player of the Year and a two-time first-team All-State selection. He scored his 2,000th career point in the Red Knights' 55-32 semifinal win over Spring-Ford, becoming the seventh boys player in county history to reach that milestone. He's averaging 22.2 points per game to lead the county for the second straight season. He has committed to play at Rider.

"He's just a born winner," Perez said. "You have to just trust in Ruben's process. He's going to take you the right way. He's the king of the castle. That's the bottom line. He's the king of the castle. And I'm just lucky to be at the right hand of the king."

Rodriguez is also the one with the big smile and personality.

"There's a lot of things I can speak on," Grey said. "A lot of things. He's just obviously a great person, a great friend, always smiling, always laughing."

"Hard worker," Burdine said. "Been through a lot, so it's great to see him live that moment and be a 2,000-point scorer. He always talked about this. And this is, I don't know words to explain it, the love I got for him and to see him accomplish all these things."

Grey, an exceptional student, has become the leader and renowned for his work ethic and his kindness. Burdine said Grey is the one who offers to give others a ride home. The 5-10 guard emerged as a starter two seasons ago and was an All-Berks pick this season. He is averaging 13.3 points per game.

"He's the brains of everything," Burdine said. "He's always been a hard worker; first person in, the last person out of the gym."

"He's honestly the true definition of a leader," Rodriguez said. "He always puts everybody else first. ... And you know, he does everything the right way on and off of the court, in the classroom. He just cares for everyone. That's why I love him because he always puts everyone before him."

Perez said Rodriguez and Grey run the program and everyone else, including himself, just falls in line.

"Myles is the general," Perez said. "He knows where we need to be and what we need to do."

Football has become Burdine's No. 1 sport. Last season, he was the Red Knights' quarterback and an All-State pick as a defensive athlete on the Pennsylvania Football News Coaches Select All-State team in Class 6A. He has committed to attend Sacred Heart University and play safety.

Still, Burdine, a 6-2 forward, earned all-division honors this season in basketball, though he is averaging just 3.2 points per game. That speaks to the impact he makes on defense and by doing the little things.

"Amier is just that silent assassin man," Perez said. "He does what's best for the team. He does what's best for us. He just quietly impacts the entire game."

Both Grey and Rodriguez were quick to mention Burdine's ever-present smile and determination on the court.

"Always smiling," Grey said. "Very chill, very laid back but you know on the court he gets the job done every single night. He knows exactly what we need from him and goes out there and puts it all on the line for us."

"He just finds a way to come out and prevail and I love Amier because he cares for everyone else," Rodriguez said. "He makes sure that everyone else is happy. Always smiling; he's always smiling. Love to be around him."

Burdine, Grey and Rodriguez have experienced playing in a state final before. This one will be different, though, and not just because there will be no attendance restrictions, as there were due to COVID-19 in 2021. This will be their final time on the court together as Red Knights.

"It's crazy to think that this is our last game no matter what," Rodriguez said. "It's gonna be very emotional. And win, lose or draw we've put our heart out on this court in practice, just together since we've been younger, so no matter what, I will forever always love them. No matter what, we're always winners.

"Trying not to think about it just yet," Grey said. "I'll reminisce after Saturday night and all next week, but we got a job to finish. When we're able to finish the job, it will definitely be something very meaningful, and something that we can always look back on with a smile on our face."