DANVILLE — Sometimes all it takes is a talk with mom to get things right.
That was the case for Berkeley Williams, at least.
The Plainfield standout has been in a mental funk this season, overthinking her shot and overthinking her drive as opposing teams continued finding ways to effectively guard her.
Statistically that translated to 12.4 points per game through the first 14 games of her senior season, but on 38% shooting from the floor and 28% from 3, both well-below her conversion rates over the past two seasons.
Williams was in a bad way. So around Christmas, the 5-foot-6 guard and her mom, former Greencastle record-setting standout Meredith Turner-Williams, sat down for a conversation. The two regularly watch film together, the DePauw commit said, adding she's always relied on her mom for basketball guidance.
Meredith's advice this time? Stop caring so much and let the game come to you.
"I needed to let loose," Williams said. "A hand down, man down' vibe."
With that conversation, the lightbulb went off for Williams and the results have been immediate.
She totaled 27 points on 10-of-19 shooting with a 3-for-6 mark from 3 against Zionsville and Lawrence North at the Plainfield Winter Classic on Dec. 27, then scored an efficient 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting against Hamilton Southeastern last weekend.
Saturday, Williams helped No. 10 Plainfield capture its third consecutive Hendricks County championship, scoring a team-high 19 points with five field goals and a couple 3s in a 60-54 win over No. 13 Brownsburg.
"I just love Berkeley," junior Abrielle Dugan said. "She's playing with a lot more confidence and aggressively, and she's looking out for all of us. … She's a great leader and I couldn't be more proud of her."
The key, Williams said, has been finding her rhythm early. Set the tone with a couple baskets early and build from there.
She wasted no time doing that against Brownsburg, scoring seven straight amidst a 9-0 Plainfield run off the opening tip.
Williams finished the opening frame with 10 points and a couple 3s, then added five more points to her total between the second and third quarters, with a slick assist to Caroline Pugh late in the third. She added a couple more buckets in the fourth, including a short jumper that pushed the lead to six after she was called for a blocking foul on the other end.
"Berk's best asset has always been her defense and her athleticism," coach Curt Benge said. "That's easy for her to fall back on — sometimes too much. So it was nice to see her come out with that aggression tonight."
Williams showcased her defensive prowess, too. She had a number of deflections and multiple steals, and forced a jump ball late in regulation that gave the Quakers an opportunity to extend their four-point lead.
In terms of matchups, Williams was, unsurprisingly, paired primarily against Brownsburg senior standout Elle McCulloch. The Florida Gulf Coast signee finished with 20 points, but most of those points came either in transition or against someone other than Williams. And when the two were matched up, the 6-foot McCulloch had to work for her shots, focusing her efforts inside where she had a height advantage over Williams.
"She's a great player," McCulloch said. "She's pretty feisty and really strong."
"It's been different every single time we've played her these past four years," Williams said of guarding McCulloch. "This game, it was mostly: we don't want to give her open looks. It was kind of hard finding her in transition, but if I had any chance to get set, it was mostly just not letting her get those open looks and keeping a hand in her face."
Williams' senior season — and career overall — has been marked by a shift in her role.
As a freshman, she said, "it was basically, here, have fun, go do your thing." But with the arrival and continued growth of the Quakers' highly talented (and deep) 2027 class, there's less pressure on Williams to score at a high-clip consistently as she's occasionally tasked with being more of a facilitator.
And by all accounts, she has taken it in stride.
"It takes a special kid, who's been one of our leading scorers her entire career, to be able to defer at times," Benge said. "Tonight, she stepped it up and (did) what we needed her to do. We need her and Hannah (Menser) to be a 1-2 punch and they were both very good tonight. … Berkeley's a great kid."
LEADING SCORERS
Plainfield: Berkeley Williams - 19 points, Moriah Armstrong - 15 points, Hannah Menser - 10 points, Caroline Pugh - 9 points
Brownsburg: Elle McCulloch - 20 points, Laniah Walkine - 10 points, Gabbi Harvey - 8 points
UP NEXT
Plainfield (14-5): Wednesday at Bloomington North, 7:30 p.m.
Brownsburg (9-7): Friday at Fishers, 6 p.m.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA girls basketball: Hannah Menser, Berkeley Williams lead Plainfield