Avery Potteiger of Brandywine Heights is UECU Player of the Week
Utilities Employees Credit Union Player of the Week
Sophomore forward Avery Potteiger is known for her rebounding and shot-blocking. They were key elements as Brandywine Heights won the Berks Girls League Division IV title and earned the No. 1 seed in the District 3 Class 3A Tournament.
Once in the tournament she showed some offense, scoring a career-high 16 points in a 54-40 victory over Pequea Valley that secured third place and lifted the Bullets into the PIAA Tournament.
“She got behind the defense time and time again,” said Bullets coach Don Vinciguerra. “Her height was a major issue that they had no answer for.”
That breakout game helped the Bullets secure a rare state playoff berth and has earned Utilities Employees Credit Union girls basketball Player of the Week for the 5-11 Potteiger.
Potteiger leads the Bullets in rebounding, is second in blocked shots and third in scoring.
“Avery is that presence in the middle that enables our guards to be free to pressure the perimeter,” said Vinciguerra. “She has great length that she uses to her advantage.
“With all of the pressure we can put on teams from the perimeter, if she can continue to develop her post game, attack the basket more with both hands, continue getting better with her jump shot, she can be a dominate post presence,” said Vinciguerra. “She has all of the skills to do it.”
Potteiger has helped the Bullets go 18-7 and win two straight division titles. She’s part of a young lineup that could win another title next season.
First they have a PIAA Tournament game, Tuesday against District 12 champ Neumann Goretti at Cardinal O’Hara at 6.
In addition to basketball Potteiger plays volleyball and runs track for the Bullets.
“The sky is the limit for her,” Vinciguerra said. “She can go as far as she decides she can go. If she puts in the work she can dominate in the post with all of the other threats we have.”
Potteiger is the third Brandywine Heights pick this season for Utilities Employees Credit Union Player of Week awards. Addison Benner was selected twice.
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
- Feb. 7: Addison Benner, Brandywine Heights
- Feb. 14: Caroline Reedy, Berks Catholic
- Feb. 21: Shakyla Mayo, Gov. Mifflin
- Feb. 28: Aailyah Dabney, Berks Catholic
