West Reading-Sacramento Basketball Cultural Exchange Scheduled for June 7-14 in Berks

The 54th edition of the West Reading-Sacramento Basketball Cultural Exchange is set to occur from June 7 to June 14 in Berks County. A squad featuring ten athletes from Franklin High School and Elk Grove High School, located in Elk Grove, California, will engage in several games and host a clinic during their visit.

Upon their arrival on Sunday, the team, accompanied by three coaches, will kick off their activities with a breakfast and panel discussion with residents at the Highlands at Wyomissing on Monday at 10 a.m. Following this, they will head to Washington, D.C. for sightseeing.

The California representatives will play their opening match against Gov. Mifflin on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Gov. Mifflin Athletic Community Center. Later that evening, they will attend a Reading Fightin Phils game against Portland at 7 p.m.

On Wednesday, the team will compete in two games at Gov. Mifflin, facing Exeter at 11 a.m. and Wilson at 1 p.m. Thursday will see them conduct a youth clinic at 10 a.m. at the West Reading Playground, followed by a series of showcase games at Berks Catholic’s Lloyd M. Wolf Gymnasium, where they will play Bishop McDevitt at 4 p.m., Cedar Crest at 5 p.m., and Berks Catholic at 7 p.m. Cedar Crest will play Bishop McDevitt at 6 p.m.

The final game of the trip is scheduled against Wyomissing at the West Reading Playground on Friday evening at 6 p.m. The team will then travel to New York on Saturday, June 13, to explore sites including the 9/11 Memorial, Wall Street, and Rucker Park. They will conclude their trip with visits to Philadelphia attractions on Sunday, June 14, before returning home to California.

Over the years, the Exchange has seen participation from more than 500 local athletes, including former Reading High stars like Stu Jackson and Donyell Marshall, as well as former Wilson standout Stevie Mitchell. The event has also featured notable NBA players such as Bill Cartwright and Kevin Johnson from Sacramento.