Mock first Hornet to achieve 1,000-rebound milestone

Amanda Mock is the only girl in Chelsea High School history to score 1,000 points in her high school career. She’s also the only student to ever earn 1,000 rebounds.

But playing basketball isn’t the only thing important to this senior; she wants to join a service academy. Amanda wants to go through medical school and become a doctor in the armed forces, as joining a branch of the U.S. military has become something of a family tradition.

Her father, Joseph Mock, is a retired Navy pilot after serving more than 25 years and her brother, Joey, is currently a freshman at the Air Force Academy playing football.

“She’s wants to make her own trail, though,” Amanda’s mom, Holli, said. “Plus, she likes these uniforms better.”

Mock followed a midshipman basketball player in the Coast Guard Academy for 24 hours in February to get a feel for the school. She also scheduled a visit with the Naval Academy.

“I’m going to choose by visiting each place and seeing which campus I like better,” Amanda said.

The Coast Guard Academy has offered her a scholarship to join their team, but she hasn’t heard from the Naval Academy recently.

“The Coast Guard coaches have been wonderful,” Holli Mock said. “They came to a game and they’ve corresponded with Amanda.”

Like the armed forces, athletics have always been a part of this family’s life.

“It’s always been a great connection to have with my dad and my brother,” she said. “We play and it brings the family together.”

A few years ago, her father built a barn with a batting cage and a basketball hoop so they could practice together.

Until last year she also played softball, but ultimately had to choose one because of their conflicting travel schedules. She’s played basketball for 12 years, but it wasn’t until recently that she started focusing on making it an aspect of her future.

“I really stepped up between junior and senior year,” Mock said. “I went from averaging 11 points a game to 16.”

Scoring like that, Mock said she realized she had the natural ability to get a scholarship, she just needed the resources. That’s where her coach, Michelle Edwards, came in to play. Edwards sent out videos and emails and used her connections in different colleges to get Amanda’s name out.

Mock currently has offers from Emory, Montevallo and North Florida.