As Amber Hart begins her sophomore season at Santa Rosa Junior College, she enters not only her last year of SRJC basketball but possibly her last year competing with her teammate and sister Ashley Hart.

Amber, the oldest of the four sisters, has coached and played basketball with Ashley since their youth basketball days in Middletown.

“She’s not only my teammate that I stand by but she’s my sister and I’ll always stand by her whether she is struggling or excelling,” Amber said.

The sisters are both at different stages in their athletic lives. Amber is entering her final campaign at SRJC while Ashley is in her freshman season.   Amber has already been through the challenges of a college season and helps Ashley adapt to college life.

“She was undersized and from a small town, and not used to playing against such a range of talent available in big cities,” said Tony Hart, their father.

“Growing up our dad was always our coach, from youth ball to high school. Here at the JC was both of our first times really experiencing a new coaching system, it can be tough but having Amber around whose been in this system for a couple years now has been huge for me,” Ashley said.

Tony Hart has not only been their loving father, coach and teacher, but their biggest fan.

“Watching those two grow up they always wanted to be better than each other instead of working together to help each other improve, but now they’re growing up and working so hard with each other to get better,” Tony said. “It’s a joy to watch.”

Playing under coach Lacey Campbell has transformed both the Hart sisters.

“No offense to my dad, but she is the best coach I have ever played for,” Amber said. “She brings something new to the table each practice. Defense comes first and is most important for our team. She really gets the most out of us every day.”

Amber is currently starting power forward, averaging more than 5 rebounds per game in only 20 minutes a game so far in the young season. She has seen a big spike in playing time this year. She is currently in talks with an unnamed school about a possible scholarship next season.

Amber, Ashley and the rest of the Bear Cubs look to improve off their frustrating playoff exit last year as the team prepares to make a run at the state title this season.

The first home game of the season will be in the SRJC Tournament at 8 p.m. Dec. 11 in Haehl Pavillion.