The shot went national.
The video of Jordan Chatman’s 80-or-so-foot shot made it to Yahoo Sports. It was awesome. It was epic. It was something he, his family, the Union boys basketball team, and all who were in the Tacoma Dome can talk about for years to come.
But it was only one field goal in a season full of them.
It is his whole body of work that led The Columbian to choosing Chatman as the All-Region boys basketball player of the year.
He was voted the Class 4A Greater St. Helens League player of the year after leading the Titans to the league championship. He helped bring Union to the state tournament. Then he led the team in scoring on the way to a third-place finish at state.
One of the best players in Washington, this was Chatman’s first appearance in the Tacoma Dome.
“It felt kind of like March Madness, all the close games,” Chatman said. “It was just really exciting to experience that.”
The Titans rallied late to force overtime in the quarterfinals, then won. Union was down nine in the final minute of the semifinals, never gave up, then lost by one — the game that included The Shot — and the Titans rebounded with a victory in the trophy game.
Chatman then was voted the MVP of the tournament.
“It was just a great honor,” Chatman said. “A lot of great players up there. I just felt honored.”
Unfortunately for basketball fans, Chatman will be taking a two-year break from the sport as he goes on his mission for his church. He leaves in April to go to Taiwan. When he returns, he will enroll at Brigham Young University for the 2014-15 school year.
He hopes to experience the real March Madness with BYU one day.
Season highlights
Chatman averaged 20.6 points per game, leading the Titans to their first 4A Greater St. Helens League title. This month, he was voted the Class 4A state tournament MVP, leading the Titans to a third-place finish.
With the Titans facing a win-or-done situation in the bi-district tournament, Chatman finished with a triple double: 13 points, 10 rebound, 10 assists. Oh, and seven blocked shots, too.
The Washington Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association All-State games has named Chatman Washington’s Mr. Basketball. He will be honored Saturday.
More about Jordan
Favorite book, movie, music: The Book of Mormon; Inception, and Drake.
Role Model: “My dad (Jeff Chatman). He’s a great guy in all aspects of life. Religiously, family. Helped me with basketball.”
Favorite sports team: Oklahoma City Thunder.
Next year and beyond
Will be going on a two-year mission to Taiwan for his church in April. When he returns, he has signed with Brigham Young University.
Quote
“It was a lot of fun playing in the Tacoma Dome against other great teams. I got to spend a lot of time with my teammates.”
Jordan Chatman
Rest of All-Region first team
Caleb Dressler, sr., Evergreen: Big man led Plainsmen to state round of 16 for a second year.
Tanner Nelson, sr., Union: Part of the 1-2 punch for the Titans, who finished third in state.
Isaiah Smith, jr., Columbia River: 3A GSHL MVP averaged 22.6 ppg and 9 boards.
Zach Torson, sr., Mountain View: Had consecutive 40-point games in the playoffs.
All-Region honorable mention
Jake Belford, sr., Battle Ground: First-team 4A GSHL provided inside force for Tigers.
Ryan Denny, sr., Prairie: Led Falcons to one win away from state’s Sweet 16.
Tim Hergert, jr., Heritage: Led region in scoring at more than 24 a game.
Ryan Johnson, sr., Mountain View: Post could score and also was a great passer.
Sam Landerholm, sr., Ridgefield: Led Spudders in scoring at better than 19 a game.
Serg Ovchinnikov, sr., Battle Ground: 1st-team 4A GSHL was the outside scoring threat for Tigers.
Michael Potter, sr., Ridgefield: Led team in scoring 10 times as 1-2 punch for Spudders.
