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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
Chadwick chooses Concord
St. Joe's Amber Chadwick passes the ball of as the Irish take on Fayetteville during the girls state basketball tournament on Wednesday, March 11, 2009, at the Charleston Civic Center.
Purchase this photoSPRING VALLEY -- Inside Spring Valley High School's auditorium, a dream became a reality for Amber Chadwick on Thursday afternoon.
Youth league, middle school basketball, high school competition. It all led to this.
The Spring Valley senior guard, formerly of Huntington St. Joe, signed a National Letter of Intent to continue her career at Concord University.
"Since my first game, that's all I wanted to do," Chadwick said. "Just make it to the next level. It's just unbelievable that it's finally happening."
It happened in front of friends and family at her new high school.
For three seasons, Chadwick played a major role in St. Joe taking three consecutive Class A state titles, earning All-State honorable mention last season.
Now, her talents will be on display at the Class AAA level playing for the Timberwolves, a regional finalist from a year ago.
"It's a big switch, but I'm ready for it," she said. "I think it will help me prepare a lot for college and just get ready to go on to the next level."
On the AAU circuit, Chadwick's been a regular for the West Virginia Thunder since she was 11-years-old.
Just last season, she averaged 12.8 points, 4.7 assists and 4.4 rebounds a game for the Thunder.
A constant shooting threat, Chadwick said Concord coach Kenny Osborne has plans for her to play off the ball in the Lions' backcourt.
"He said he was really recruiting me for shooting guard," she said. "But wherever he puts me, I'll play."
Other schools to give Chadwick interest were Lehigh, Colgate, Shepherd, Theil College and Thomas More, among others. She also said Marshall University gave her an opportunity to walk-on.
But, in the end, Concord, an NCAA Division II program and member of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, won her eye.
"Concord just really best fit me for my athletics and even for my academics," said Chadwick, who plans to major in journalism. "It's a great academic school, too. And just looking at all aspects of it, I know it's right for me."
But that's for next season.
Until then, Chadwick will focus on continuing what has already been a banner athletic year. As a member of Spring Valley's soccer team, she earned an all-state honorable mention nod as a defender.
Now it's basketball time.
"I know our No.1 goal is to try to make it to state this year," Chadwick said. "I don't think Spring Valley's ever made it and our team's been working really hard."
