Spartans’ Amaya Stewart: Wyomissing Physical Therapy Player of the Week

By Sean McBryan Last updated Feb 19, 2024

Amaya Stewart swatted one last Wilson shot into the stands and finally let out some pent-up emotions.

The Wyomissing junior had been trying to keep her cool throughout the BCIAA girls championship Friday at Santander Arena but sensed her Spartans were about to win back-to-back titles after that blocked shot.

“At that point I just needed to let it all out,” she said.

Stewart yelled in excitement, threw a celebratory fist pump and moments later the Spartans finished off Wilson 45-36 to win its second consecutive Berks title.

The 6-1 center produced a 20-point, 13-rebound, five-block performance to earn Wyomissing Physical Therapy Player of the Week. Those type of outings are becoming commonplace and seemingly effortless for Stewart.

“That comes with a tremendous amount of hard work,” Wyomissing head coach Aaron Anders said. “She just works so hard. (Wilson) had a great game plan against her and were just collapsing and making her work for it. Time and time again she gets challenged and rises to the top. The cream rises to the top.”

Stewart had 22 points and 12 rebounds in the semifinal victory Wednesday over Gov. Mifflin. Just another day at the office.

Amaya Stewart grabs a rebound in championship game. (Tim Macrina photo)

Only the best of the best are in the running on a weekly basis for a Player of the Week award. Reading High’s Lonnie Walker IV, Wilson’s Stevie Mitchell, and Twin Valley’s Peyton McDaniel come to mind. Stewart is in that elite compnay.

She averages 18.9 points per game and has been even better this season in leading the Spartans to a 25-0 record after they went 28-3 a season ago.

Her 3-point makes are up from six as a sophomore to 21 this season, a clear sign of the dedication that has made her a likely repeat All-State selection. She has 1,188 career points after averaging 10.5 as a freshman and 15.3 last season.

This is the fourth time Stewart has been selected Player of the Week; she was selected earlier this season and twice during last postseason. She’s one of three Wyomissing players to win the award, along with Alexis Hardy and Audrey Hurleman, each of whom won it last season.

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 Wyomissing Physical Therapy Player of Week:

Berks Catholic’s Madison Langdon
Gov. Mifflin’s Bella Super
Gov. Mifflin’s Taylor Koenig
Wilson’s Kailani Hardy
Wilson’s Laila Jones
Wyomissing’s Annie McCaffrey

Selected earlier this season:

Dec. 11: Amaya Stewart, Wyomissing
Dec. 18: Laila Jones, Wilson
Dec. 25: Juliana Stichter, Schuylkill Valley
Jan. 1: Grace Reedy, Exeter
Jan. 8: Morgan Snyder, Oley Valley
Jan. 15: Violet Houck, Wilson
Jan. 22: Taylor Koenig, Gov. Mifflin
Jan. 29: Yamilex Rodriguez, Reading High
Feb. 5: Madison Langdon, Berks Catholic
Feb. 12: Madison Langdon, Berks Catholic

Selected Player of the Week last season:

Dec. 12: Alexis Hardy, Wyomissing
Dec. 19: Morgan Snyder, Oley Valley
Dec. 26: Caraline Herb, Berks Catholic
Jan. 2: Ashanti Chapman, Reading High
Jan. 9: Amelia Gassert, Hamburg
Jan. 16: Juliana Stichter, Schuylkill Valley
Jan. 23: Laila Jones, Wilson
Jan. 30: Alexis Hess, Fleetwood
Feb. 6: Grace Reedy, Exeter
Feb. 13: Amaya Stewart, Wyomissing
Feb. 20: Amaya Stewart, Wyomissing
Feb. 27: Madison Langdon, Berks Catholic
March 6: Audrey Hurleman, Wyomissing

Selected Player of Week in 2021-22:

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