Berks Conference: POY Watch List for 2024-25

Below is a review of the prospects who are the front runners to win the POY award in southeastern Pennsylvania's Berks Conference.    Akings is a versatile guard prospect who posted a noteworthy surge over the last five games of the 2023-24 season. During that stretch of outstanding play Akings averaged 15 points per contest. That was a significant increase over his season average of 11.6 ppg. Akings also posted a season high 23 points (2 threes) during that run of games. Akings is capable of scoring at all three levels. But his dribble pull-up game is his most effective weapon. Plus, Akings can use his speed and crafty handles to score in the open court. Akings also owns the IQ and court vision to work as a pass-first primary ball handler     As a junior, Gruber registered 11.6 points per night, was a 1st Team All-Berks selection and led Wilson to the Berks Conference title. But after a monster summer circuit in which Gruber was a walking bucket, there are expectations for an even bigger season in 2024-25. Simply put, Gruber is an offensive playmaker. He can get into the lane off the bounce and then unleash a tear drop or finish at the cup with either hand. Gruber will also drive into the paint and then kick out to an open shooter. When he plays off the ball, Gruber can pop threes or slice to the basket for a catch and lay-in. His ability to create shots in the mid-range is noteworthy.     This 1st Team All-Berks guard is one of the most aggressive backcourt prospects in the region. Killen (15.3 ppg. in 2023-24) uses his speed and tight handles to relentlessly attack the cup off the dribble. If the opposing team's defense fails to cut him off, Killen will get lay-ups all day. On those occasions where the help defense slides on time, Killen will slam on the brakes and knock down a pull up. Killen's jump shot is automatic from the 3-point line too. Killen's solid frame allows him to back down smaller guards and then execute a drop step for an easy bucket. Defensively, Killen can switch 1 through     Before an injury ended his 2023-24 season, McKoy was averaging 15 points per game and poured a season high 29 points against Trinity. That was enough to earn him a 1st Team All-Berks nod after his sophomore campaign. McKoy has been fully healthy for months now and after what we witnessed from him at the Comp Edge Fall League, he is headed for a monster 2024-25 season. Over the last two months of fall ball action, McKoy dominated the competition with his versatility, open court game and three level scoring in the half court. His ability to grab a defensive rebound, get downhill in a flash and then go coast to coast is unique. He can finish the break with authority or a creative touch. When he is not popping threes, hitting runners, or taking smaller guards to the weight room, McKoy does a fantastic job of live dribble distributing to open teammates.     In 2023-24 Rosario averaged 9 points per night as the 3rd option for Reading. He posted as season high 17 points against Erie McDowell. In the state tourney he netted 13 points versus eventual 6A champion Central York. This season Rosario will be the No. 1 option at Reading, and it appears this extraordinarily athletic and ultra-quick prospect is ready for that promotion. Rosario can work as a point guard, shooting guard or wing. At all those positions Rosario is a legitimate three-point threat. Once he has knocked home a few triples, Rosario will execute a ball fake, then put the ball on the deck so he can get to the rim for lay-in. Rosario can also generate points out of high screen action that gets him downhill and into the lane. His speed and creative finishing moves enable Rosario to excel in transition. Rosario is tenacious on-ball defender with a knack for picking pockets.

Below is a review of the prospects who are the front runners to win the POY award in southeastern Pennsylvania's Berks Conference.