What Chaney Does for SCC Isn’t Always in Box Score

Facts and figures can only tell part of a story. Take Southern California College’s Amber Chaney.

Chaney is a key reserve who has helped SCC get off to a 14-4 start. The stat sheet says Chaney averages 2.5 points and shoots 25% from the field.

“But people don’t realize what she does for this team,” SCC women’s basketball Coach Russ Davis said. “What she does is holding us together.”

Just watch her play.

Chaney’s hustle and smarts help her make an impact in the 20 minutes per game she plays. She’s even started seven games this season . . . and that’s just counting when she was on the court for the opening tip-off.

She has started many home games by singing the national anthem. And words can’t do justice to her voice.

“It’s soulful,” SCC softball Coach Beth Renkoski said.

That only seems appropriate because the 5-foot-5 senior from Garland, Texas, demonstrates a selfless spirit on the court.

“We’ve asked her to play three positions,” said Davis, who uses Chaney as a reserve at the point, shooting guard or small forward.

“She’s sacrificed her own stats and production for the betterment of the team and that’s been huge. It’s not easy what we’re asking her to do. But she’s been so positive.”

And it might be easy for Chaney to get lost among all of the SCC positives this season.

Conference player of the year candidate Elaine Whittemore, a senior forward, is piling up big numbers, averaging 16 points and eight rebounds and shooting 59% from the field.

Junior transfers Kristi Wright (Victor Valley College), who is averaging 13 points and five rebounds, and Amee Pina (Chaffey College), who is averaging nine points and seven assists, have provided an immediate boost.

Senior Gina Jojola, who averages 10 points and six rebounds, and junior Sara Herkenhoff, who is averaging 10 points and five rebounds in only 18 minutes per game, give SCC two more dependable post players.

And on the perimeter, senior Alana Kempton, Wright and Pina have combined for 75 three-pointers. The Vanguards already have made more three-pointers (114) than they made all last season.

This combination has SCC looking to improve from its 18-11 finish last season. And it also has resulted in lots of victories, something that makes Chaney smile.

“It’s been hard and you can lose confidence in yourself,” said Chaney, who started all 29 games last season and averaged eight points. “But when you win, it makes it that much easier.

“Sure it’s been a struggle, adjusting to the new role. But I’m not a super-noble person for doing this. It’s just the way it worked out. It’s ever-changing.”

That constant state of change on the court is something else Chaney, an NAIA academic All-American last season, has accepted as training for her future.

After Chaney graduates from SCC in May and returns home, she would like to do missionary work, most likely in Mexico, Central or South America.

And it’s not surprising that she demonstrates a servant’s heart off the basketball court.

Just another thing about Chaney that can’t quite be described.