ERIE — The most prolific scorer in District 9 basketball history is keeping his talents in the state of Pennsylvania.
Owen Chambers, who had his share of college suitors, said in a message to the Era that he has committed to play basketball at Division II Mercyhurst University next fall.
Mercyhurst, a member of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, is coming off one of the most successful seasons in school history. The Lakers went 26-8 in 2018-19, a year that included a trip to PSAC Tournament Championship game as well as three wins in the NCAA Division II Tournament before falling to eventual 38-0 champion Northwest Missouri State in the Elite 8.
“It was an extremely hard decision because I visited and met so many awesome schools and cool coaches,” Chambers said. “I am really excited to play D-II and in the PSAC. A lot of former D-I talent in the PSAC/D-II level. And if I really work hard I hope to be able to compete at that level.”
Mercyhurst’s opponents in the PSAC include the likes of Slippery Rock, Edinboro, Gannon and Clarion University.
Gary Manchel, who has amassed a 276-181 record in 16 seasons as the head coach at Mercyhurst, couldn’t be reached for comment.
“I really liked the returning players and Coach Manchel and (assistant coach Joe) O’Shea,” Chambers added. “Mercyhurst has been really strong under Coach Manchel.”
In luring Chambers to Erie, the Lakers get a premier shooter who became an all-around player as his high school career progressed. The six-foot-two guard set D-9’s all-time scoring record with 2,269 points, led Coudy to four consecutive District title game appearances, and guided the team to four wins in the PIAA state playoffs.
Chambers earned the Charles M. Ward Award as the Big 30 Player of the Year for his senior season that saw him average over 30 points per game as the Falcons rolled to a one-loss regular season.
Chambers sank 115 three-pointers and shot 43 percent from beyond the arc his senior season, but also averaged three assists, four rebounds and three steals per game.
“The work that he put into the game that he put in over his years at Coudersport is just tremendous,” said Brian Furman, Chambers’ coach for all four years at Coudy. “The amount of time he spent — I can’t think there has been anyone who has worked harder than he has in basketball. It was just phenomenal the hard work and the time he put in.”
Academically, Chambers is exploring forensic accounting and data intelligence majors with a high percentage of the school’s graduates going on to work in intelligence agencies or police forces.
