Lekaiah Solomon of Schuylkill Valley is UECU Player of the Week
Utilities Employees Credit Union Player of the Week
Lekaiah Solomon could score more points if needed; her Schuylkill Valley coaches urge her to shoot more often.
She’s content in her role as a rebounder, defensive stopper and play-maker for the Panthers who, at 15-1, are off to what is believed to be the best start in program history.
Solomon came up with critical defensive plays in key wins last week against Brandywine Heights and Cedar Crest and has been named the Utilities Employees Credit Union girls basketball Player of the Week.
“She getting steals and playing good defense and rebounding every game,” said Panthers coach Jason Bagenstose. “In both (those) games, she had a key steal for breakaway layup.”
The senior hit two late free throws and scored a season-high 13 points as the Panthers handed Brandywine Heights its first loss, 30-26. She also had 11 rebounds and eight steals.
In a 39-32 win over Cedar Crest she had six steals, including one she turned into a breakaway layup late in the game; she sealed the win with a late free throw. She also had a key defensive play, blocking a shot late in the game to prevent a breakaway layup.
“We lost ball, and she was 15 feet behind the play,” Bagenstose said. “She closed fast and blocked the shot late. She came out of nowhere; that was a key play. Those are the kind of big plays she can do to change a game.”
Solomon is averaging just 6.9 points per game. Her play in the post has been vital to the Panthers, who are allowing 31.1 per game, second-lowest in the league. Though just 5-8 she plays center and matches up against taller players on a regular basis. She uses her long wing span, athleticism and tenacity to make up those lost inches.
“She has to play bigger than her size, and does,” Bagenstose said. “She’s more like a 6-footer in the paint. She loves that role. She’s made defense her thing.”
Soloman averages 8.3 rebounds and 4.8 steals, leading the team in each category. She led the team in rebounding last season, also.
“I love getting steals,” Solomon said. “I love the feeling of stealing the ball from them and making them work to get it back. Because that tires them out. Not only physically but also mentally.”
Solomon is the sixth Utilities Employees Credit Union Player of Week for the 2021-22 season and first from Schuylkill Valley.
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
- Jan. 17: Addison Benner, Brandywine Heights
