West Reading All-Stars use defense to win twice in California tournament

ELK GROVE, Calif. – The West Reading Basketball League All-Stars overcame a sluggish start and rallied past Marin Catholic 66-56 Saturday in the Shelton-Franklin Summer Jam at Franklin High School.

West Reading fell behind 15-4 in the first quarter before using a 17-2 spurt to briefly take the lead in the second quarter.

Marin Catholic, which is located in Kentfield, Calif., led 31-29 at the half and 49-48 going into the fourth quarter.

West Reading took the lead for good at 51-50 on a three-point play by Andrew Galantuomo (Gov Mifflin) and held Marin Catholic to two field goals in the final 10 minutes.

Zach Suski (Berks Catholic) scored a team-high 14 points for West Reading, and Aidan Dauble (Exeter) and Galantuomo each had 10 points.

Earlier Saturday, West Reading forced 17 turnovers and defeated Benicia (Calif.) High School 66-57. Suski and Galantuomo each scored 12 points, Madyx Gruber (Wilson) had nine and Matt Koehler (Gov. Mifflin) eight.

West Reading improved its pool play record in the tournament to 3-1. The local team will play Sunday in the elimination round before returning to Pennsylvania on Monday.

West Reading has gone 4-2 on its trip, which is part of the annual West Reading-Sacramento Basketball Cultural Exchange.