Addison Benner of Brandywine Heights is UECU Player of the Week
Utilities Employees Credit Union Player of the Week
Addison Benner apparently loves a challenge. In her first head-to-head meeting against Fleetwood All-State pick Alexis Hess the Brandywine Heights freshman broke out for a career-high 27 points.
“I love her attitude,” said Bullets coach Don Vinciguerra. “She knew she was going against Alexis. She said, ‘I’m gonna prove I belong on the same stage.’ She wants the challenge of going up against the best, to see where she’s at.”
Where she’s at is at the top. She’s the top scorer on the top team in Division IV of the Berks Girls League and taking the Bullets to what may the best season in program history. They’re 16-3, the No. 1 team in District 3 Class 3A power ratings, and on the verge of what may be the first state tournament berth in program history.
After scoring 52 points over three games, all wins, she has been named the Utilities Employees Credit Union girls basketball Player of the Week. She’s the first player to earn that honor twice this season.
The 5-10 center had 16 points in 55-18 win over Antietam, was the leading scorer in the 50-32 win over the Tigers and had nine points in 50-41 win over Exeter.
The Eagles focused their defense on shutting her down, so she changed her game up and set up her teammates rather that try to carry the scoring load.
“A lot of the top scorers in the county, they have to be on their team,” Vinciguerra said. “Addison knows she has others around her who can score and she wants to use them.
“She’s all about, ‘Let’s win the game and we’ll do whatever we have to do it.’ She wants others to do well.”
Benner has been just what Brandywine Heights needed this season. She joined a veteran cast and has become one of the league’s top scorers. She’s averaging a team-leading 14.8 points; her 32 3-pointers are among the leaders 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.
Vinciguerra knew before the season that Benner would be the Bullets’ top scorer.
“She’s been doing that for years at a high level,” he said. “I’m not surprised, I knew she would do this, and knew she would attract a lot of attention (from opposing teams).”
Benner is the eighth 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.
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
- Jan. 17: Addison Benner, Brandywine Heights
- Jan. 24: Lekaiah Solomon, Schuylkill Valley
- Jan. 31: Caroline Reedy, Berks Catholic
