Berks Bests: Abby Kapp Led Boyertown to Berks County's Only Girls' State Title

Editor's Note: This story is part of Berks Bests, a summer series spotlighting the all-time leading scorers from Berks County girls basketball programs. Throughout the summer, we'll revisit some of the greatest careers in local basketball history and catch up with the players who left their mark on their schools and communities.

This next sentence is hard to believe.

Boyertown alum Abby Kapp's greatest high school basketball accomplishment isn't that she became the Bears' all-time leading scorer.

Kapp led the Bears to the only high school girls basketball state champion in program and Berks County history.

Kapp (sixth from left) with her PIAA champion Boyertown Bears. (Photo courtesy of Abby Kapp)

When Kapp recently reflected on her playing days to BGB, her mind didn't immediately drift to the PIAA championship trophy or the record books.

It went to a plate of cheesy O's pasta.

"There are many good memories to choose from," Kapp said. "Many of which could be summed up with two words: team meal. A plate of cheesy O's pasta, a breadstick, and Gatorade will always sound good to me."

That legendary Boyertown team was served a pregame meal before every away game from Argento's pizzeria, served by team parents and made possible by the program's booster club.

"We always had a good laugh together in the process," she said. "Those meals gave us quality time together as a team and it made the experience of playing high school basketball feel special."

The shared meals built chemistry and made for a seamless transition from the school day to game time. Ultimately, they played a part in developing an unforgettable team that made history.

After winning the Pioneer Athletic Conference (PAC) championship, the Bears finished sixth in District 1, entering the state tournament with a 23-5 record before the Cinderella run to the state title.

"It was improbable from the jump, but it didn't matter," Kapp said. "That team was strictly business."

The Bears drew District 3 runner-up Cumberland Valley in the first round of the PIAA tournament. They won 50-35. Then they faced the eighth-place finisher from District 1 in Garnet Valley, winning 53-48. District 11's third-place finisher Northampton awaited in the quarterfinals with Boyertown prevailing 56-55. District 12 champ Cardinal O'Hara was next in the semis; the Bears pulled out a 39-37 win.

By the time it got to the championship against WPIAL (District 7) champ North Allegheny, the Bears felt inevitable. They won 46-35 with Kapp scoring 17 points and corralling 13 rebounds to lead the way.

"I’m proud of that group of people for representing our county and district at such a high level," Kapp said. "I am even more proud of the collective efforts of each team member that made that historic run possible. If you look back at the reputation of the Boyertown girls basketball program, we were always contenders, but never undisputed favorites. We played, and beat, teams that were making regular district and state tournament runs."

To put the gravity of the run in perspective, Boyertown had only qualified for the state tournament nine times before 2017. They haven't qualified since. They had gone 4-9 in PIAA play before the 5-0 run to the chip.

Abby Kapp and her teammates after winning the PAC title. (Photo courtesy of Abby Kapp)

"When I think of that team, I don’t recall an abundance of athletic talent or a high basketball IQ," Kapp said. "But what we did have was belief in each other. Each person on that team knew we needed their absolute best in that moment, and delivered. I’m happy we all have that memory to look back on."

While the championship remains the defining team accomplishment, Kapp also left Boyertown as the program's all-time leading scorer with a staggering 1,671 career points.

The point total ranks 16th in Berks history, between Fleetwood all-time leading scorer Donna Werner (Trexler) and Wyomissing's Adrian Budischak.

"It was an honor to be trusted to be a leader on the team, year after year, which made the feat possible," Kapp said. "I didn’t take the responsibility lightly, but you also never accomplish anything alone. When specific milestones were reached, I did feel celebrated by each member of the program. That meant so much to me."

Kapp was a four-time all-league selection. She was named Miss Pennsylvania Basketball in 2017 and earned first-team All-State honors her senior year. She also pulled down 1,080 rebounds during her high school career and helped Boyertown compile an 89-22 record over four seasons.

Her basketball career continued at Bucknell University, where she became one of the most accomplished players in program history.

Kapp played in 106 games and made 78 starts for the Bison, earning two All-Patriot League selections and being named the Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2021. She finished her collegiate career with 902 points and set Bucknell's all-time record with 196 made 3-pointers, a total that also ranks among the best in Patriot League history.

Years later, Kapp's perspective mirrors that of many Berks Bests players. The points, wins and championships matter, but the relationships have endured the longest.

"Two of my very best friends in the world are former teammates of mine," Kapp said. "Teammate relationships are so special, because you don’t have a ton of control over who your teammates are. You just join the team and play."

Abby Kapp with the state hardware. (Photo courtesy of Abby Kapp)

Now in her professional career, basketball eventually gave way to new passions.

After graduating from Bucknell, Kapp expanded her interests beyond athletics. She now lives in Minneapolis and works for the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

"Nowadays, my life exists outside the domain of basketball," Kapp said. "I've developed new hobbies, traveled to new places and it's been incredibly fulfilling."

Even from nearly 1,200 miles away, Boyertown basketball still finds a way into her life.

"My sister and I get such a kick out of recognizing the names of current Boyertown girls basketball players that we know as campers at the annual Lady Bear Basketball Camp," Kapp said. "It's so great to see the continuation of the program and feel connected to the team, years later."

She might be all the way in Minnesota, but her legacy is still represented by the state championship banner hanging inside Boyertown's gymnasium. And her name atop the scoring banner hanging nearby.