Chesapeake’s Williams named state Female Student Athlete

Chesapeake College guard La’Shyra Williams, the only returner from last season’s region championship women’s basketball team, knew she needed to step up her game this season.  Her selection as December’s Female Student Athlete of the Month in the Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference is the latest proof she has done just that.

 

“There are a lot of great players in the conference.  It’s a big honor to be recognized out of all those players,” said Williams of the award.

 

Williams averaged 23.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game in December while notching double-doubles three times in five games.  The Seaford (DE) High grad scored at least 23 points in four of five games, including a 28-point outburst against Harcum College.

 

Williams said she prepared to play a bigger role on this year’s squad after deferring to a core of sophomore standouts last season.

 

“Over the summer I just made sure I was in shape and worked on improving my shot,” said Williams.  “I put up a lot of shots over the summer.

 

“Being the only sophomore on the team, I know I have to do more and I have to provide some leadership,” she added.

 

“La’Shyra came back a much stronger and much more focused player this year,” said Chesapeake College head coach Gwen Barnes.  “She was an important player for us last year – and really played well in the national tournament – but she’s definitely improved a lot.  I could tell she’d been working on her game in the off-season, particularly shooting and ball-handling.”

 

Williams, who scored a career-high 35 points in a November loss to Cecil College, is currently third in the state in scoring at 21.1 points per game this season.  Barnes, however, said it is a mistake to think of her as just a scorer.

 

“She’s a great rebounder and she just doesn’t stop,” observed Barnes, who said people shouldn’t be fooled by her reserve manner.

 

“La’Shyra’s quiet but she gets the job done when she’s in the game,” said her coach.  “She’s really a clutch player.”

 

Williams also gets the job done in the classroom.  She has an overall 3.0 grade-point average and is on track to graduate this spring.

 

“I try to make sure I stay up on all my work,” said Williams, who is a General College Studies/Allied Health major.  “I would like to get my bachelor’s degree and eventually become a pediatric nurse.”

 

“She’s doing well academically, which is the most important thing,” said Barnes.

 

Williams said she hopes to transfer to Delaware State University, where she would also like to continue playing bas