Haughton’s Shaniya Perkins named Player of the Week

HAUGHTON, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — Haughton girls’ basketball has been on fire this season, and a catalyst behind that is Shaniya Perkins.

The junior put up stellar numbers in the Lady Bucs second round playoff victory over Destrehan. Perkins finished with 27 points and 13 rebounds in that win.

While she’s become a vital part of Haughton girls’ hoops, her high school basketball career did not start on East McKinley Avenue.

Perkins transferred to Haughton from a school in Alabama during October her freshman year. When she first transferred to Haughton, basketball was not her sole focus.

“I got an email from (Shaniya’s) mom saying that they were coming at a certain date,” recalled Haughton girls’ basketball head coach Jenna Bolin. “(The email explained) that she was 5’10” and a volleyball player but interested in playing basketball.”

Since Perkins transferred after volleyball season ended, she only played basketball her freshman year.

Despite being new to the Haughton community, the Lady Bucs welcomed her with open arms.

“I was able to adapt to a team that was easy to work with and they were talkative,” explained Perkins. “They eased me into everything we were doing at practice. They would explain something to me I didn’t understand.”

As Shaniya continued to grow her talents on the hardwood, by the end of her sophomore year she realized that she really loves basketball and could see a future playing college basketball.

The junior made the decision to only focus on excelling on the hardwood, and her progress is impressive.

“Anybody that has seen her from freshman year to now comments on how much better she’s gotten,” Coach Bolin said. “It’s because she’s worked hard, and she puts a lot of time into it. The big difference is her confidence. As her skills have grown, her confidence has too.”

“The seniors last year really talked me up,” added Perkins. “It really helped me understand that I am needed, so I have to perform. I have to rise to this occasion or else this team will not get to where we want to be.”

If Perkins could go back in time, she would give strong words of encouragement to herself freshman year.

“Keep trying,” shared Perkins. “It’s not the end of the world because you had one bad day at practice. You have to keep on going and pushing because eventually you will get what you want out of the situation. If you don’t push yourself, you will not get the results you want.”

Perkins and the No. 4 Lady Bucs will get back on the hardwood on Thursday, February 27th at 6 p.m. when they host No. 5 Barbe in a quarterfinal matchup.

Perkins will now be eligible for the Landers Dodge Player of the Year award, which comes with a $2,500 scholarship. The Player of the Year Banquet will be held in May 2025.