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02/06/2019 11:00 PMPierson Chapman always had a basketball in his hand while he was growing up. Pierson’s feel for the rock has helped him become a sharp shooter for the Hand boys’ basketball team as a senior.
Pierson is a senior captain who plays shooting guard for the Tigers. After playing on the JV team last year, he earned his promotion to the varsity ranks in the current campaign. Pierson is averaging 10 points and three rebounds per game, while shooting at a 40-percent clip from 3-point range on the season.
“I always loved having a ball in my hand, whether it was dribbling it around the house or shooting in the front yard,” says Pierson. “It’s been about having confidence and thinking every shot will go. I always like to think of a quote that goes, ‘You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.’”
Pierson spent his fair share of time getting in extra reps at the gym throughout the offseason. Now, he’s seeing major minutes and competing with belief during his senior year.
“I’ve become more confident in my abilities. In the past, I played under coaches that didn’t think I had certain capabilities, but these coaches have given me the chance to prove myself,” Pierson says. “I also became stronger this past offseason and have become a better ball handler.”
The responsibility of being a go-to scorer has put a little weight on Pierson’s shoulders. However, Pierson pushes past any pressure by trusting in his teammates’ abilities to stretch the offensive attack across the floor.
“Shooting guard is one of the more demanding positions to score, and it can be tough being relied upon to get the team going,” says Pierson. “But it’s nice having someone to dish the ball to, and I let my teammates help me out with that.”
As a captain, Pierson sets an example by constantly giving a nonstop effort on the court. Pierson gets great satisfaction when he sees his teammates follow suit.
“I just try to get everyone to give 120 percent and never quit, whether we are up 20 points or down 20,” he says. “It’s a good mentality to have now and for the future.”
Head Coach Jim Economopoulos says that Pierson prides himself on being a year-round gym rat. Economopoulos adds that if Pierson’s shooting touch is off on a given night, he still finds a way to contribute to the Tigers.
“Pierson has been one of the hardest-working kids on our team. He was a kid that was always reaching out to me over the offseason and preseason looking for a gym to get into to work on his game,” says Economopoulos. “He always brings a consistent effort to practice and games. I always know what I am going to get out of him and, even if he has an off shooting night, he still puts in the effort on the defensive end and on the glass.”
As Hand enters the final leg of its season, Pierson says the Tigers are going to continue playing with lots of heart and unrelenting hustle as they aim to finish the winter strong.
“Our mentality is that we are looking to win every game,” says Pierson. “We’re just taking it one game at a time.”