With 21 teams in action across Berks County, the 2021-22 high school girls basketball season was full of achievements and rich with storylines. From several individual accomplishments to historic seasons for multiple programs, the season was one to remember.
Gov. Mifflin rides 3-point shooting to county championship
With a 47-34 win over Wilson in the BCIAA championship game on Feb. 18, the Mustangs continued one of the most successful runs in Berks girls basketball history. Mifflin won its third county title in the last four years and fifth in the last eight years, all of which have come under the leadership of coach Mike Clark.
The Mustangs’ championship run was fueled by a potent offense, which averaged a county-best 54.5 points and 6.04 3-pointers per game this season. With 157 3-pointers, Mifflin was the only team to make more than 150 3s for the fourth consecutive season.
History for Brandywine Heights
The Bullets orchestrated one of the best seasons in program history, qualifying for the county, district and state playoffs in the same season for the first time since 1980. Brandywine Heights made its third appearance in the state playoffs in program history on March 8, falling to Neumann-Goretti 72-25 in the first round.
After winning Berks IV, the Bullets went on to finish third in the District 3 Class 3A playoffs, beating Pequea Valley 54-40 in the third-place game on Feb. 25. The victory was Brandywine’s first in a district playoff game since 2015.
Birmingham earns 600th win, Berks Catholic returns to district final
Saints coach Bob Birmingham earned his 600th career victory in Berks Catholic’s 49-12 win over Roosevelt High School of Oregon on Dec. 17 at the KSA Tournament in Orlando, Fla. The county’s career leader in wins, Birmingham is 617-298 in 22 seasons as coach at Holy Name and 11 at Berks Catholic.
The Saints advanced to the district championship game for the first since 2018 and third time in program history, falling to Delone Catholic 33-27 in the Class 4A final on March 5. Berks Catholic was one of three Berks teams to qualify for the PIAA playoffs, marking the Saints’ seventh appearance in the last nine years.
Myer takes the helm at Twin Valley, guides Raiders to state playoffs
After 18 years as the head coach at Wilson, veteran Doug Myer was named Twin Valley’s girls basketball coach in September and guided the Raiders to the state playoffs just six months later.
After defeating Spring Grove in the opening round of the District 3 Class 5A playoffs on Feb. 22, Twin Valley clinched its fifth berth in the PIAA playoffs in the last six years. The Raiders fell to Abington Heights 40-24 in the first round on March 10.
With an 8-3 league record, Twin Valley also won Berks II for the second consecutive year. The Raiders won Berks I in 2019-20, making it their third division title in as many years.
Schuylkill Valley’s stellar regular season
Led by Berks Coach of the Year Jason Bagenstose and their five senior captains, the Panthers went 20-1 in the regular season, their highest regular season win total since 2007-08. After losses in the county and district playoffs, Schuylkill Valley finished 20-4.
The Panthers won Berks III with an 11-0 league record. It was Schuylkill Valley’s first division title and first undefeated league mark since the 2007-08 season.
Hess, Reedy hit millennium mark
Fleetwood junior Alexis Hess and Berks Catholic senior Caroline Reedy both reached the 1,000-point milestone, adding their names to the record books.
Hess scored the 1,000th point of her career on Feb. 7 and finished the season with 1,034. An All-Berks selection, Hess scored 19 points per game and led the league with 399 points and 161 field goals this season.
Reedy hit the 1,000-point milestone on Feb. 12 in a BCIAA quarterfinal victory and finished her career with 1,053 points. The Berks Player of the Year, Reedy led the Saints in scoring at 13.5 points per game.
A county full of young talent
In addition to Hess, several young players emerged as the county’s rising stars.
With 410 points in 23 games, High Point junior Bethany Thompson was the only player in Berks to score 400 or more points this season. With a county-leading 165 field goals and a 17.8 points per game scoring average, Thompson helped power the Eagles to a District 3 Class 1A playoff appearance.
Kutztown junior Ky Brantley led the county in scoring average at 19.4 points per game, topping Hess by less than half a point. Brantley scored in double figures in every game and scored more than 30 points twice, the only player in the county to achieve the feat.
Oley Valley sophomore Morgan Snyder led the county with 98 free throws made, including 10 in a loss to Wyomissing on Jan. 21. The Lynx’s top scorer at 13.2 points per game, Snyder’s 73.7 free throw percentage was the best among all Berks players with 60 or more attempts this season.
Berks Catholic junior Caraline Herb led the county in 3-pointers with 49, including two games in which she made five from beyond the arc. Thanks in large part to Herb and Reedy, the Saints ranked second in Berks in points and 3-pointers made per game.
Brandywine Heights’ Addison Benner arose as the county’s top freshman, averaging 14.1 points per game and hitting 39 3-pointers. She scored 20 or more points in four games this season, propelling the Bullets to their best season in 42 years.
Seniors say farewell with big seasons
In addition to Reedy, several seniors produced big offensive numbers in their final high school seasons.
Twin Valley senior Natali Foster led the Raiders in scoring at 13.4 points per game. The All-Berks selection scored a career-high 349 points, including three games with 20 points or more.
Schuylkill Valley senior Madison Ziska led the Panthers in scoring at 13.3 points per game. The All-Berks selection had five games in which she scored 20 points or more.
Reading High senior Kya Washington scored 13 points per game and hit the 20-point mark on four occasions. With 18 points, the All-Berks selection helped the eighth-seeded Red Knights earn a win over No. 2 seed Schuylkill Valley in the BCIAA quarterfinals on Feb. 12.
Source: Berkshire mont