Reading’s Nick Chapman is Wyomissing Physical Therapy Player of the Week

By Mike Drago Last updated Mar 27, 2023

Reading's Nick Chapman goes up for a shot as Spring-Ford's Jacob Nguyen defends. (Bill Snook photo)

Wyomissing Physical Therapy Offensive Player of the Week

Nick Chapman’s first shot of the PIAA championship game, off a baseline drive, hung on the rim for the longest time before dropping through at the first-quarter buzzer Saturday night at Giant Center. Perhaps that was an omen for the Reading High junior and his teammates.

Everything seemed to fall into place for them as they beat favored Roman Catholic 63-56 in overtime to win the Class 6A championship.

Chapman, whose role off the bench grew more important throughout the playoffs, came through with his best game of the season. He made one key play after another and capped the performance with a steal in the final seconds that set up Aris Rodriguez’s game-ending dunk.

Chapman scored a career-high nine points, grabbed four rebounds and had three assists to earn Wyomissing Physical Therapy Player of the Week honors.

“It doesn’t surprise us,” teammate Amier Burdine said of Chapman’s clutch play, “because it’s something we see (every day at practice). We know he can get it done.”

Chapman, playing 20 minutes, was part of a Reading bench that outscored Roman’s 19-0. When he was on the floor the Red Knights outscored Roman by 10 points; he earned the highest plus/minus rating in the game.

The scrappy 5-9 guard defended players half a foot taller all night and chased down three offensive rebounds, each leading to a Reading basket.

He had three assists, the biggest at the end of the third quarter when he fed Ruben Rodriguez for a layup that extended Reading’s lead to 43-37.

Reading’s Nick Chapman signals after dropping a 3-pointer against Roman Catholic. (Jeremy Drey Photography)

Chapman made the biggest shot of the game with 5:28 left in regulation after Roman had come all the way back from a nine-point deficit to take a 47-46 lead. Ruben Rodriguez drove the lane, then dished to the corner where an open Chapman hit a 3-pointer – just his fifth of the season.

He hadn’t had much success at the free throw line this season, making just 7-of-13, but he hit two shots with 26 seconds left in regulation to snap a 51-51 tie.

With the game on the line Reading coach Rick Perez had his best five players on the court and Chapman was one of them, mostly because of his defense. Like older brother Joey, who played on Reading’s 2021 state championship team and had a key late steal, Chapman is a dogged defender. His role should expand next season, but this season he knew he was on the floor for one reason.

“For this team, I don’t really care about offense,” Chapman said. “I’m all about defense.”

“Nick is such a fighter, man,” said Perez. “He’s just so resilient.”

Chapman is Reading High’s seventh selection this season, along with Ruben Rodriguez, who was selected three times; Myles Grey, who was selected twice; and Yadiel Cruz. His sister Ashanti, a senior on Reading’s girls team, was also named Player of the Week once this season.

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

Also considered for Wyomissing Physical Therapy Player of the Week:

Aidan Dauble, Exeter
Aris Rodriguez, Reading High
Ruben Rodriguez, Reading High
Kevin Saenz, Exeter

Players selected earlier this season:

Dec. 12: Jake Karnish, Fleetwood
Dec. 19: Mark Rajnath, Schuylkill Valley
Dec. 26: Ryan Koch, Berks Catholic
Jan. 2: Myles Grey, Reading High
Jan 9: Jake Karnish, Fleetwood
Jan. 16: Yadiel Cruz, Reading High
Jan. 23: Ruben Rodriguez, Reading High
Jan. 30: Aiden Soumas, Fleetwood
Feb. 6: Anthony Caccese, Exeter
Feb. 13: Cooper Hohenadel, Schuylkill Valley
Feb. 20: Ruben Rodriguez, Reading High
Feb. 27: Ruben Rodriguez, Reading High
March 6: Anthony Caccese, Exeter
March 13: Myles Grey, Reading High
March 20: Kevin Saenz, Exeter

Nick Chapman puts up a shot against Roman Catholic. (Jeremy Drey Photography)

Players selected last season:

Dec. 20: Matt Harley, Gov. Mifflin
Dec. 27: Colin Payne, Exeter
Jan. 3: Jake Karnish, Fleetwood
Jan. 10: Myles Grey, Reading High
Jan. 17: Danny Turchi, Oley Valley
Jan. 24: Ruben Rodriguez, Reading High
Jan. 31: Julian O’Brien, Wyomissing
Feb. 7: Xavier Goodman, Kutztown
Feb. 14: Danny Turchi, Oley Valley
Feb. 21: Ruben Rodriguez, Reading High
Feb. 28: Hector Tiburcio, Antietam
March 7: Joey Chapman, Reading High