Radnor’s Brienne Williams is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week

The sophomore guard is averaging nearly 11 points a game this season and has knocked down 29 treys (as of Feb. 19). She received All-Main Line basketball honors as a freshman, and her father, Julius Williams, played basketball for Drexel University. Radnor girls basketball head coach Mark Jordan said, “She is likely one of the top ball handlers in the league, is getting more confident and stronger with each game, she can shoot the 3, and is very athletic.” Off the court, she participates in community service drives and has represented Radnor at AMLE’s Annual Conference in her freshman year, and other events like the CommUNITY Breakfast.

Q: In what area of your game do you feel you improved the most this season? What part of your game are you working on the most currently?

A: My defense has definitely improved a lot this year, specifically my court awareness in zone. Coach Jordan has given me the chance to guard some high-caliber players, which has been a great experience. This season I have been working on passing in the paint. We have a really strong presence in the post, and being able to feed them the ball in traffic really benefits the team.

Q: What has been your most memorable experience as a Radnor basketball player this season?

A: My most memorable experience was definitely winning in double overtime against Haverford. The entire game was close, and we all worked really hard throughout regulation. Ellie [Mueller] made two foul shots at the end of the game to tie the score and put us into overtime, and the whole team stepped it up in the last moments of the game to win. Last year we had struggled against Haverford, so that win really showed our improvement as a team.

Q: Tell us a little about your start in competitive basketball. Who have been your most important basketball mentors; and what was the most important thing you learned from each of them?

A: I’ve been around basketball for as long as I can remember. My dad played basketball at Drexel University and my grandfather played at the collegiate level as well. My dad learned from my grandfather and other great players and coaches along the way, and he shared that knowledge with me. Coach Jordan has really helped me fine tune those skills and apply them in game situations.

Q: What is your favorite academic course? Is there a career path that particularly interests you at the present time?

A: Math is one of my favorite subjects because I love problem solving and understanding different approaches to finding an answer; it also doesn’t leave room for subjectivity. However, I also really enjoy analyzing social and economic issues and policies, which I get to explore in the courses offered at Radnor. It would be awesome to pursue a career that encompasses both of those subjects.

Q: Tell us a little about your pre-game preparation the day of a game.

A: For me, hydration is key. The night before and day of the game, I try to eat plenty of fruit and get my electrolytes. Most important is being in the right head space.

Q: Who is your favorite basketball player, and why?

A: I have great respect for a lot of WNBA and NBA players, but my favorite player is Steph Curry. He makes what he does look effortless, but truly he has put in a lot of hard work and has meticulously refined his skills to become the player he is today.

Q: You wear uniform No. 11 for Radnor. Why did you pick this number – does it have any special significance to you?

A: I’ve liked this number since elementary school because it was a number that people didn’t seem to associate with any particular player. This appealed to me because I like the idea of making my own mark.

Fun facts – Brienne Williams

Favorite book: When Breath Becomes Air, by Paul Kalanithi.

Favorite author: Dr. Seuss.

Favorite TV show: Vampire Diaries.

Favorite movie: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

Favorite pre-game pump-up song: “Uptown Vibes” by Meek Mill.

Favorite place to visit: U.S. Virgin Islands.

Favorite pre-game meal: “A sandwich from Jimmy Johns.”

Person I most admire, and why: “My mom because I look up to her amazing work ethic.”

Family members: parents Julius and Ciana, sister Brooke.

(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)