Photography by Steve Buchanan
Indian Creek School senior Josh Chambers knew what he wanted to pursue as a career when he took an advanced-placement class in computer science during his freshman year. Chambers worked on a project on how the three-point shot was overvalued in the National Basketball Association and, as a result, discovered data analytics, which is extracting meaning from raw data using specialized computer systems.
“I like data analytics and looked into the field,” he says. “I like how it’s open-ended and how it can really be applied to any field, including math, biology, or sports like the NFL or NBA. I like the combination of mathematics and statistics, but it has computer-science aspects.”
Chambers will major in that subject at Pennsylvania’s Washington and Jefferson College on an academic scholarship and will play basketball.
“I just really loved the small feel of the school,” Chambers explains. “It’s like Indian Creek. Washington and Jefferson has that family feel and nice atmosphere.”
Chambers’ academic success seems to bode well for his future. He carried a weighted 4.25 grade-point average and took 10-advanced placement classes in high school.
The 18-year-old Chambers also served as Math Honor Society President and National Honor Society treasurer at Indian Creek, which is located in Crownsville.
“He is a good role model for the younger students,” Indian Creek Athletic Director Jason Werner says. “He is such a hard worker. He doesn’t take a day off practice and that carries over to the classroom. He just does his absolute best in the classroom and on the basketball court.”
Chambers, a point guard, might be able to play a lot early in his career at Division III Washington and Jefferson. The Presidents, coming off a 12-11 record, will have a lot of turnover in the backcourt.
“When I first saw him, he was making winning plays on every level,” Washington and Jefferson Men’s Basketball Coach Ethan Stewart-Smith says. “Whether it was with the ball in his hands, off the ball, or on the defensive side with hustle. He consistently did the little things for his team to be successful.”
Chambers likes the Presidents style of play. It’s exactly what he wanted from a basketball program that should take advantage of his speed and grit. “I just love how fast they play,” he says. “The team presses a lot and that is my type of game. A lot of points come off turnovers.”
The 5-foot-7 Chambers started for four years on the Indian Creek varsity. Chambers’ senior year was his best. He averaged 13 points, four rebounds, three assists, and 2.8 steals per game in 14 contests.
He had some eye-catching games, scoring 22 against eventual league champion St. Mary’s in a regular season 60-54 loss on February 16. Seven days later, he finished with the same amount of points in a first-round playoff loss to St. Mary’s, 80-55.
“Making the right play was always the thing I focused on,” Chambers says. “I am not a selfish player and I was always looking for my teammates. It’s important to get others involved. But I also knew scoring helped the team.”
Chambers served as co-captain of Indian Creek during his senior year. His leadership was the quality that stood out the most to Indian Creek Assistant Boys Basketball Coach Todd Kerr.
“He developed a killer instinct as a senior,” Kerr says. “He was a leader as far as numbers, but also an energy leader. He inspired his teammates through actions or by encouraging and talking to them. He wouldn’t let his team fall into a lull.”
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