Addison Benner of Brandywine Heights is UECU Player of the Week
Utilities Employees Credit Union Player of the Week
Addison Benner has been just what Brandywine Heights needed this season.
The 5-10 freshman scored 19 points in her second varsity start and has been the Bullets’ leading scorer ever since, helping them win their first 10 games.
“She can take over a game but really keeps her teammates involved,” said Bullets coach Don Vinciguerra. “She is a very unselfish player.”
Benner stepped up with 22 points and 11 rebounds last week as Brandywine pulled away from Oley Valley 57-43 in a Berks IV girls matchup at Oley. That was part of a week that saw her score 64 points as the Bullets won three of four games.
She has been named the Utilities Employees Credit Union girls basketball Player of the Week. She’s the first freshman to earn that honor.
Benner’s contributions have sparked the Bullets to an 10-1 start and the No. 1 ranking in the District 3 Class 3A power ratings. It hasn’t been a surprise, though.
“We all know in the back of our heads that she’s going to be a really great player,” teammate Olivia Moyer said. “She does a lot of moves when I’m like, ‘Wow, I didn’t know she could do that.’ I’m surprised by her every day.
“I love playing with her. It’s always so much fun. She’s definitely dependable and reliable. That’s helpful on the court.”
Benner is averaging a team-high 14.1 points per game, seventh-best in the league. She leads the team with 16 3-pointers, which is among the top 10 in the league.
There’s nothing missing from Benner’s skill set. She can shoot from the outside, score with either hand at the rim and defend at the top of the zone or in the middle. Her long reach creates a lot of turnovers.
“Addison has improved her defense, and is getting more steals to get points,” said Vinciguerra.
She had 19 points in a win over Tulpehocken and scored 13 of her team-high 18 points in the second half Saturday, nearly helping the Bullets come back against Pine Grove. The Cardinals hung on for a 51-42 win after leading by 18 at the half.
Benner is the fifth Utilities Employees Credit Union Player of Week for the 2021-22 season and first from Brandywine.
Berks League coaches nominate their top player each week. At the end of the season a Utilities Employees Credit Union Player of Year will be selected based on the weekly winners and nominees.
Previously selected for the Utilities Employees Credit Union Player of Week:
- Dec. 20: Kya Washington, Reading High
- Dec. 27: Caraline Herb, Berks Catholic
- Jan. 3: Shakyla Mayo, Gov. Mifflin
- Jan. 10: Alexis Hess, Fleetwood
