ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - This year marks 52 years of the West Reading-Sacramento Cultural Exchange Program, where the Franklin Wildcats basketball program participated in this year. 

The Wildcats traveled to Pennsylvania for seven games and two youth clinics. The student-athletes from Franklin also got to visit Washington, D.C., New York City and Philadelphia. 

“We are privileged to represent Franklin High and the entire Sacramento Region in this amazing basketball exchange with West Reading, PA,” head coach Ken Manfredi said on X. “It is such a great experience for our young men!” 

According to the Reading Eagle, the Wildcats will be there from June 11-18. On June 13 they were to present a clinic then play three games against local schools. 

The next day the Wildcats played two games then attended a game of the Reading Fightin Phils, the Philadelphia Phillies’ Double-A affiliate.  

On June 17 the Wildcats made a presentation before conducting their last clinic and last game before they returned home to California on June 18. 

In another tweet from Manfredi on June 12 he said, “The Franklin Wildcats are privileged to travel to West Reading, Pennsylvania to represent Sacramento and participate in the 52nd Annual Basketball Cultural Exchange! Today, we toured Washington D.C. and were blessed with phenomenal weather and amazing sights!”

Student-athletes from the Franklin Wildcats basketball squad visiting the White House on June 12 as a part of their trip to the West Reading-Sacramento Cultural Exchange Program. Photo courtesy of @coachmanfredi on X

The Wildcats took down Wilson High School by a score of 75-47, Wyomissing by a score of 78-38, Governor Mifflin by a score of 60-49 and Smithsburg by a score of 78-64 from what was posted on X, as well as live streamed on YouTube. 

A sports broadcaster from Pennsylvania, Paul Roberts, on X said, “His (Manfredi) team really shares the ball. They can all handle, pass and shoot. I got to see them at today’s basketball showcase at Berks Catholic.”