Reading High rolls past Muhlenberg as Ruben Rodriguez hits scoring milestone

Jan. 11—After being held to a season-low seven points in Reading High's last game against Wilson, Ruben Rodriguez bounced back in a big way as the Red Knights defeated Muhlenberg 77-60 Tuesday in a Berks Conference Division I game at the Geigle.

Rodriguez scored a game-high 26 points and surpassed former Reading High greats Stu Jackson (1,563) and Donyell Marshall (1,581) in career points with 1,582. Rodriguez has 1,294 points for the Red Knights after scoring 288 as a freshman at Muhlenberg.

"I'm just feeling blessed," Rodriguez said. "I had a couple of bad games and I'm happy to be able to come out of it against a good team like that."

With his team leading 35-28, the 6-2 guard took over at the start of the second half when he made a breakaway dunk after the Red Knights (4-0, 12-1) stole a pass on the Muhls' opening possession. Rodriguez, who has committed to play at Division I Rider, made a 3-pointer on Reading High's next possession to give the Red Knights a 10-point lead.

Rodriguez scored 13 of Reading High's 27 third-quarter points after scoring 11 in the first half. The Red Knights held a 60-43 lead after three quarters.

"Really, I just knew that we had to separate the lead," Rodriguez said. "I tried to help us separate and, when my shot is falling and they're giving me looks like that, it's easy."

Rodriguez scored one field goal in the fourth quarter before being taken out as Reading High hovered around a 20-point lead for much of the final eight minutes.

"Congratulations to him and his family, they deserve it," Red Knights coach Rick Perez said. "Basketball is his calling, not because of his play. Basketball is his calling because that's how Ruben speaks his message and spreads his message to the rest of the world. Ruben is always smiling and he shows us a different way to play basketball.

"He's the guy with the most experience and he's been here the most. They've been in some very tight games and he has been able to really mentor people, lead and get them where they need to be."

While Rodriguez' dominant third quarter defined the second half, foul trouble was the main story of the first as the emotions surrounding the rivalry translated into a physical affair. Each team committed 10 team fouls in the half and Reading High shot 11-of-20 from the free throw line, while Muhlenberg (2-2, 7-5) was 8-of-10.

A raucous crowd added to the intensity brought on the court by two teams that have plenty of history with each other.

"We knew it was going to be a physical game and we know what (Muhlenberg coach Matt) Flowers is all about, and we know what that team is all about," Rodriguez said. "So it was just staying together and fighting through adversity. In the beginning, it was a lot of contact, but we just got through it. We're used to that (physicality) and we just just played with it and hustled."

The Muhls handed the Red Knights' their only league loss last season, winning 63-61 at Laureldale to snap a 32-game head-to-head losing streak to Reading High that dated to 2001.

"They fought through an emotional battle," Perez said. "This was the highest level of emotion that we have played with. So we lost ourselves a little bit in it. In a space where it's fight or flight, our guys did a great job recouping themselves and fighting.

"Toughness is not talking trash. Toughness is not pushing people around. Your toughness is poise. Toughness is confidence and execution, and that's what they do."

For Perez, the playoff-like environment is to be expected any time he goes against his former assistant and lifelong friend in Flowers.

The night started off in ceremonious fashion as Perez was honored for surpassing Jim Gano (251) as the winningest coach in school history and Flowers delivered a speech in Perez's honor. Perez has 260 wins.

"My brother coaches at Muhlenberg; I know what's gonna happen out here," Perez said when asked if he expected the game to be more physical than usual. "He and I are putting our hearts out there, those guys are putting our hearts out there; we know them. I love those Muhlenberg kids. I've watched them, so I'll be at his (Flowers') very next game that I can possibly be at. I'll be behind his bench and showing those guys love, and he will be doing the same.

"He'll be on the phone with (Reading's) Myles (Grey) this evening and I'll be doing the same (with the Muhls). It's just when we come out here, unfortunately, it is what it is."

For Muhlenberg, Dan Mosquera finished with a team-high 23 points, including 10-of-10 from the line. Xzayvion Robertson had 19 points for the Muhls.

"I thought we played a pretty decent first half," Flowers said. "We talked about limiting their transition points. That third quarter opened up and you know they got what they wanted.

"The first half we played a very physical game. I thought we matched their physicality, we went pound for pound with them, but that third quarter was just a killer.

"The atmosphere was amazing. Two teams going toe-to-toe with each other for two-and-half quarters and then their maturity kicked in."

Also for Reading High, junior guard Yadiel Cruz scored a season-high 15 points and 14 rebounds coming off the bench. Cruz is playing his first season with the Red Knights.

"In the DR (Dominican Republic), where he's from, they call him 'La Sencacion,' the sensation," Perez said. "And we saw a little bit of that here today. Yadiel, you know, he's coming into a new situation and he's adapting well. And he's the ultimate team player because I'll tell you what, Yadiel is arguably one of our better 3-point shooters. But he's like, 'I see what Aris (Rodriguez) does, I see what Ruben does, I see what Myles does. What else can I be to be part of the team?'

"And you know, that's what really makes him special. There's not a selfish bone in his body and he just wants to win. Keep in mind, he's been here since July, so how much is he learning in a short time? I think he's doing an exceptional job."

With both teams playing in Berks I, Reading High and Muhlenberg will play again for a second time in the regular season finale for both teams at Laureldale on Feb. 7.

With his team on the right side of the first matchup, Ruben Rodriguez made it a point to thank the fans for providing an electrifying environment.

"Fans, thank you for today; the gym was crazy," he said.