UECU girls basketball Player of the Week: Reading High’s Ashanti Chapman

By Sean McBryan Last updated Apr 14, 2023

By Sean McBryan — MikeDragoSports.com correspondent

Ashanti Chapman scored 18 points across two games to lead the Red Knights to the championship at the Reading Invitational over the holiday break and earn Utilities Employees Credit Union Player of the Week.

The Red Knights were the only Berks girls team to win a holiday tournament; they defeated Susquehanna 48-38 and McCaskey 57-39 in the championship game.

Chapman scored eight against the Indians and 10 against the Red Tornado. The victory over McCaskey gave Reading some early season revenge; the Red Knights had lost by three to the Red Tornado in early December.

The diminutive 5-2 senior guard’s impact is greater than just scoring. She’s third on the team at 9.0 points per game but plays a vital role in getting other scorers involved, such as sophomores Yamilex Rodriguez (10.1 points per game) and Tamyia Collier (10.3).

Her greatest impact is arguably on the defensive end where she is averaging five steals per game.

The Red Knights (2-1, 5-3) have won five of their last six after starting the season 0-2. They face Cedar Crest Tuesday before five straight league games. They hope to keep pace with Berks Catholic in the Berks I race.

Chapman is the first Reading High player to earn Utilities Employees Credit Union Player of the Week honors this season. Kya Washington received the award last season for the Red Knights.

Players considered for Player of the Week honors are nominated by their coach or by members of the MikeDragoSports.com coverage team.

Also considered for Utilities Employees Credit Union Player of Week:

Olivia Moyer, Brandywine Heights
Grace Reedy, Exeter
Alexis Hess, Fleetwood
Anyah Ortiz, Gov. Mifflin
Hailie Edwards, Hamburg
Aryella Schichtel, Kutztown
Ryanne Wheeler, Oley Valley
Juliana Stichter, Schuylkill Valley
Laila Jones, Wilson

Selected earlier this season:

Dec. 12: Alexis Hardy, Wyomissing
Dec. 19: Morgan Snyder, Oley Valley
Dec. 26: Caraline Herb, Berks Catholic

Selected last year for 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
Jan. 24: Lekaiah Solomon, Schuylkill Valley
Jan. 31: Caroline Reedy, Berks Catholic
Feb. 7: Addison Benner, Brandywine Heights
Feb. 14: Caroline Reedy, Berks Catholic
Feb. 21: Shakyla Mayo, Gov. Mifflin
Feb. 28: Aailyah Dabney, Berks Catholic
March 7: Avery Potteiger, Brandywine Heights