Reading High basketball coach Rick Perez shares with Zeke what it was like to coach an outstanding group of young men to an amazing 28-4 season, their second straight Berks Conference title, their first District 3-AAAA title in six years, and their first trip to the PIAA semifinals in 33 years. Perez says this team has a special bond and chemistry that united the Reading community.
He speaks of his team as an exceptional family that led the charge. "They bought into the concept of family, loyalty and commitment. It became their habit." Perez tells Zeke that he doesn't recruit or accept high-quality transfers because he wants an inclusive home-cooked program with a deep connection that develops trust, and that trust is a big part of this team's success. "Everyone has a voice," he says. "Everyone is important. What we're trying to sustain is much bigger than this year's accomplishments.
The culture of Reading High basketball is family, loyalty and commitment." When Zeke asks Perez what he will remember the most about this special season, he says, "Dancing at practice. Ultimately basketball is a game. What do you do in a game? You play." Perez also talks about coaching such an elite talent as Lonnie Walker IV, the Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year and first-team All-Stater who is being heavily recruited by numerous marquee college basketball programs.
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