High school sports coverage is disappearing. It's sad. Some things in life are worthwhile even if they're not lucrative. These stories are meaningful to people. They empower our students and bring our communities together. We'll miss them when they're gone.
Everyone connected to high school sports lost great memories today. Championships never won. Records never broken. Stories never told. I'm sorry for all the disappointment the athletes and coaches are feeling. I wish I had the words to make it better.
Had two heartfelt conversations with Reading High football players. Their school doors are staying closed. They won't have a season. As a society, we have failed them and so many other students. They deserve better.
Stevie Mitchell is the fan who storms the court at the fourth grade championship game, the person who waves to kids from inside the Easter bunny costume and arguably the greatest basketball player in Wilson history.
#berksgameday
Nick Niedert, the
@ECHL
's most well-known EBUG, was struggling with alcoholism when his 37-save performance for the
@ReadingRoyals
last season went viral. Today, he's more than 100 days sober. "I'm clean. I'm living a great life right now."
Peyton McDaniel takes her place in Berks history with her 2,000th career point in Twin Valley's win over Spring Grove in the District 3-5A quarterfinals.
#berksgameday
My soccer coverage, which has been Berks County's only soccer coverage for most of the past decade, has a new home starting Monday. Thanks to everyone who has supported my work. I hope you'll keep reading.
Peyton McDaniel is one of Berks County's greatest girls basketball players. Her influence at Twin Valley extended far beyond the court. “Everything with her is about everyone else, the community, the staff, her teammates.” By
@brismitty
.
#berksgameday
History for Katie Dallas. Wilson's junior won the Class 3A 800. Her time of 2:13.60 breaks the county record held by Fleetwood's Sarah Crissman.
#berksgameday
Berks Catholic’s Keeley Suzenski has broken the county shot put record at the PIAA meet. She hit 46-7.5 and leads heading into the finals. This is her third throw: 46-5.5.
#BerksGameday
One thing 27 years of traveling to high school sporting events has taught me: People are genuinely appreciative if you just show up. That’s all they want from their local newspaper.
Myles Grey is the ultimate winner. Great shooter, passer, defender and leader. He’s a two-time state champion because he gave Reading High whatever it needed.
A look back at Peyton McDaniel's career. By choosing to stay at Twin Valley, she elevated the girls basketball program and created a legacy.
#berksgameday
Lonnie Walker IV was moved to tears when he saw the bobblehead handed out by
@ReadingFightins
. "I was looking at it for about 15 minutes. I was like, ‘Wow, who would have thought?’ I sure as heck didn’t. It’s a little bit of a dream.”
#berksgameday
Radnor coach Mark Jordan on Peyton McDaniel after she hit six 3-pointers, scored 27 points and carried Twin Valley to a PIAA win: "She’s probably the best I’ve seen ever. Is she always that good?”
#berksgameday
Feels like a good time to tell people I’ll be writing for
@LancasterSports
going forward. Boys soccer and football this fall. Thanks to everyone who made this possible and supported me through my meandering journey.
Twin Valley's Peyton McDaniel named All-State first team in Class 5A. James Madison coach Sean O'Regan on his prized recruit: “I’m as high on her as anybody we’ve brought in."
#berksgameday
Saddest day on my sports calendar is the one after Berks soccer season ends. This was the most fun I've had in years. Thanks to everyone who treated me like I still mattered. If I'm not back for 2022, thanks for the memories. I've made more than my share.
To finally put Twin Valley in a championship game, all Peyton McDaniel needed to do was make free throws. There was no way she was going to miss them.
#berksgameday
Four Athlete of the Year profiles written in a week. 160 minutes of interviews turned into 150 inches of copy. Thanks to Connor, Abby, Nat and Shelby for letting a washed-up sportswriter try to capture your greatness.
Left my house at 7:45 a.m. for my daughter's tournament. Finished writing three district finals at 12:15 a.m. It was a great day. Sports are amazing. Don't let anyone tell you differently.
Nearly a year after five Berks natives helped
@CabriniCavs
win a national championship in men's lacrosse, it remains a cherished memory. There's no feeling quite like it.
#berksgameday
For the record, most media members referencing Berks high school stats are getting them from
#BerksGameDay
. They usually don't provide proper acknowledgement of the hours of work required to maintain that site. But that's where they get the information.
Peyton McDaniel has become the sixth Berks girls basketball player to reach 2,000 career points. She has 34 against Spring Grove, including 25 in the second half.
#berksgameday
Tommy Byrne's amazing return from injuries suffered in a jet ski accident has sparked
@CWScoutsSports
boys soccer team's breakthrough season.
#berksgameday
Berks soccer season has reached the end. Thanks to everyone who followed along and read the stories. Thanks to the coaches and athletes for your cooperation. It was a fun ride.
Next Athlete of the Year nominee profile is Fleetwood's Andrew Slusser. All-Berks soccer player won all the gold medals and was a captain for all seasons.
#berksgameday
That’s a wrap for the L-L League and CCAC boys hoops season. Thanks to everyone who followed along and said kind words about LNP’s coverage. I know it wasn’t always perfect. All I can tell you is no one tried harder and no one cared more.
Oley Valley became the first Berks boys soccer team to win a county and District 3 championship in the same season since Fleetwood in 2009.
#berksgameday
.
@MuhlsAthletics
senior Jonathan Thrush was supposed to run the 3200 at the District 3 championships today. He had a chance at a gold medal. He's one of the best distance runners in the state.
#berksgameday
With spring sports canceled, the BCIAA should recognize Jeff Kline's indoor achievements. Fleetwood's senior has the longest shot put in county history. He deserves a place in the record book.
#berksgameday
Next Athlete of the Year nominee profile is Allison Brattley. Fleetwood grad was All-State in volleyball, class valedictorian, plays five musical instruments and is headed to MIT.
#berksgameday
Tonight was one of Peyton McDaniel's greatest games. She scored 16 points in the fourth quarter. She had 7 points in 11 seconds to tie it with 7 seconds left. It was like Reggie Miller vs. the Knicks out there.
#berksgameday
Berks Catholic's hockey team is retiring Anthony Myers' number before tonight's game against SV/Weiser/Fleetwood at Body Zone. Ceremony scheduled to start at 6:30.
#berksgameday
Three Berks medalists in the PIAA Class 3A shot put: Berks Catholic’s Brandon George was third, Fleetwood’s Jeff Kline fourth and Wilson’s Jack Miller eighth.
#berksgameday
Local sports coverage is important. It empowers our high school students and celebrates community achievement. Some things are valuable even if they don't generate a lot of money.
@jimrutenberg
@DerekBodnerNBA
@NYTnickc
We don't have to make this silly concession. They all count. Those were the rules. The Supreme Court had a chance to change them and punted.
Berks Catholic defeats Wyomissing 55-45. Caroline Reedy with a team-high 19 points. Saints are Berks champions for the first time since 2018.
#berksgameday
Wilson's Caryn Rippey is third in the Class 3A 1600. Junior's time of 4:58.89 was a PR and about three seconds off the county record that has stood for 28 years.
#berksgameday
From a turnover that could have haunted him to a steal that will live forever in Reading High basketball history, Joey Chapman lived a wild final six seconds.
#berksgameday
@JakeGambino1
See, it's difficult because you're applying a criminal prosecution standard to a question of political consequence while using a word that doesn't exist.