Ninnekah Public Schools plans to hire Amber White, a Ninnekah graduate and former standout player, as the head coach of the girls basketball team, pending approval from the board of education.
“I’ve dreamed of coming back and coaching the Lady Owls,” White said. “I look forward to continuing our winning traditions.”
White, then Amber Chaney, attended Ninnekah for 14 years, from pre-kindergarten until her graduation in 2010. She scored over 1,000 points as a Lady Owl and started on teams that made Regionals back-to-back years, including making the Area Tournament her junior year.
“Amber was a great part of our school as a student -- she excelled in academics, athletics, and leadership,” said High School Principal David Pitts. “We’re excited to have her back home. I look forward to her bringing the same excellence and dedication to the school now as she did then.”
After graduating from Ninnekah, White went on to have a successful collegiate career. She attended Western Oklahoma State College in Altus on a basketball scholarship before finishing her career at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma where she earned academic all-conference honors.
For the last three years, White and her husband Kennis have been working with students from Ninnekah and surrounding schools through their AAU teams, the Mission, which have earned a total of eight championships.
“I’m excited to have Amber return to her Alma Mater,” said Ninnekah Superintendent Todd Bunch. “Her and her family have been such a strong part of our community for a long time. Her and all her siblings were a big part of our academics, athletics, and agriculture programs. She’s a great example and leader to have for our students.”