By James Bedrock
Sports Editor
This year, the Elm Sports has chosen senior basketball player Andrew Chambers as its male athlete of the year. This last season, Chambers tallied enough points to break the 1000 point milestone, and also led the Shoremen to the conference playoffs for the first time since 2005.
This past basketball season, Chambers led the team in scoring with a total of 360 points. After being named to the Honorable Mention All-Centennial Conference team last season, Chambers was able to land a spot on the first team. Chambers was named Centennial Conference Player of the Week Feb. 15-21 for his heroics in the Shoremen’s come from behind, playoff clinching, buzzer-beater win over Johns Hopkins.
Chambers led the team this year in almost every statistical category, including points (360), points per game (15.7), steals (45), assists (55), rebounds (134), and minutes (771). These numbers did not just appear overnight for Chambers.
“Chambers really developed into an all around player that could score from both the perimeter and the post depending on the match-up he wanted to exploit. His leadership skills began to come through as early as his sophomore year but during his senior year he really peaked and demonstrated what being a leader is all about. His game-winning shots and effort on the court are what the fans see. Those are great qualities but the respect he earned and demanded during practice and meetings is what enabled him to be a great leader,” said senior Alan Kines.
During his freshman year, Chambers was referred to by a Kent County News reporter as a “big ball of energy.”
“I think it will be weird for the fans when they don’t see that big ball of energy out there,” said Kines, “But, it was great to play with a player like Andrew for four years. We always knew that he would find a way to make a big play at a key moment during the game.”
Chambers will finish his career with 1019 points, enough to put his name on the Washington College All-Time 1000 Point Scorer’s banner hanging from the ceiling in Cain Gymnasium. Chambers will be remembered most for his clutch performances, and last minute heroics, always followed by chest-beating to show some emphasis.
Perhaps Chambers’ most defining moment came in the last game of the regular season against Johns Hopkins, a game which carried huge playoff implications. A win for the Shoremen meant a higher playoff seed as well as a clinched playoff spot. Chambers was a monster from the opening tip.
Early in the second half, Chambers scored his 1000th point off a three pointer, a touching moment in any basketball player’s life. As the game was nearing its close, the leads kept changing back and forth until Chambers hit a three with 22 seconds left to put the Shoremen up 69-67.
Hopkins came back down and drained a shot with nine seconds left to tie it at 69. Chambers got the inbounds pass and pushed it up the court. Chambers took off with about 1.5 seconds and was able to bank in a three to put the Shoremen up 72-69. Leaving .8 seconds on the clock, Hopkins had no chance and the Shoremen came away victorious.
Andrew Chambers will be sorely missed by the WC basketball team and community. His electrifying performances were what made home basketball games so exciting for the student body.
Congratulations on a great four years here at WC, and best of luck in the future.