Reading High’s Kya Washington is UECU Player of the Week
Uilities Employees Credit Union Player of the Week
So far, COVID has been the only thing to stop Kya Washington from getting to the basket.
Her opponents haven’t been able to.
The Reading High senior hit 11 free throws in a 51-47 win over Exeter Friday and went 8-for-8 from the line during a career performance in a win over Lebanon Saturday.
She has been named the inaugural Utilities Employees Credit Union girls basketball Player of the Week.
Washington, a 5-7 guard, had 29 points, nine rebounds, six steals and four assists in the 63-57 win over Lebanon. She had 24 points, nine rebounds and five steals in a league-opening win at Exeter Thursday.
Through five games she is averaging 17.4 points, second-highest in the Berks Girls League, for the Red Knights (4-1).
“She’s playing like she did her ninth and 10th grade years,” said Red Knights coach Rashida Suber.
Washington was an All-Berks pick as a sophomore in 2020 when she led her team in scoring at 12.6 points per game and hit 30 3-pointers in 25 games.
She played just one game last year, the season finale against Wilson. Prior to that she elected not to participate due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.
“COVID did a number on everybody last year,” Suber said.
Washington hasn’t missed a beat since returning. In three games last week she scored 59 points, had 24 rebounds and 11 steals.
“She takes what’s given to her,” Suber said. “If she’s open, she’ll shoot it. If you give her the lane, she’ll take it. The best part of her game is when she’s driving to basket; she has a soft touch around the rim. Getting to the rim and getting on the that line (is the key to her game); she’s a great free throw shooter.”
The Red Knights reached back-to-back county finals in 2019 and 2020 before finishing 6-10 last season. They have the best record among Berks I teams at this point, with a key game Monday night against Wilson at the Geigle.
Washington is the first Utilities Employees Credit Union Player of Week for the 2021-22 season.
Berks League coaches nominate their top players each week. At the end of the season a Utilities Employees Credit Union Player of Year will be selected.
You can find the Berks Girls basketball honor roll here: