In March of 2018, the Community Courier featured an article on Immaculate Conception Academy (ICA) fifth-grader Caraline Herb of Birdsboro, who at the age of 11 won the Pennsylvania State Championship Free Throw Contest presented by the Knights of Columbus. To achieve this feat, she faced off against the girl winner from every district throughout the state.

Today, at the age of 16, Caraline, who will be a junior this fall at Berks Catholic High School (BCHS) in Reading, is continuing her success on the basketball court. This past year she set the school record by scoring 12 3-pointers in one game, beating the previous record of 7.

"I had 12 3-pointers in my game against Reading High, where I went 12 for 15 from the 3-point line," Caraline said. "I had 38 points in this game, which was my career high and a Berks Catholic single-game point record. My high school team won the county championship this year." She was also selected as a member of the All-Berks girls' basketball team and won Most Valuable Player (MPV) for BCHS this season.

After graduating from ICA in 2018, Caraline was named a member of the BCHS Saints as a varsity player during her freshman year. She immediately made an impact with her 3-point shooting skills. "I had 40 3-pointers my freshman year, and last year, I was sixth in 3-pointers for the season," she noted. "This past season, I led the county with 60 3-pointers."

Caraline noted that play in 2020 was particularly challenging because players had to wear masks because of the pandemic. Games were also halted for a two-week period of time. "We had to wear masks at practice, too, so that prepared us for the games," she said. "It was not awful, but we could have done without them."

Caraline maintains a rigorous schedule during the school year. "During my high school season I have practices almost every day or games. If I do not have games or practice, I am always practicing outside at my house," she noted.

The schedule will continue this summer since Caraline is playing with the Lehigh Valley Fever team, part of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). Currently, she practices with her AAU team on Mondays and Wednesdays, plays games at Spooky Nook Sports in Manheim on Tuesdays and attends open gym at BCHS on Thursdays. Weekends are generally reserved for tournament play.

Caraline credits her success in basketball to a strict practice schedule, as well as support and encouragement from BCHS coach Bob Birmingham and her brother, Janssen. "It's a lot of hard work," she said, adding, "Coaches throughout the years have taught me a lot. I did not know how to play defense in high school, which coach Birmingham taught me, and my other brother, Janssen, practices with me and shows me how to work on my form."

Caraline, who noted that her favorite NBA player is Steph Curry, said she plans to continue breaking records this upcoming school year. "I hope to play Division I and to beat my 12 3-point record. I would like to be a part of my (high school) team reaching higher than the districts level," she added.