LITTLE ROCK-Texarkana's Sharde' Collins has emerged as one of the best players in the Sun Belt Conference.
The University of Arkansas-Little Rock's shooting guard has averaged well over 20 points per game in her last five outings, earning rare back-to-back Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week honors.
The Lady Trojans, who started the season 1-4, are currently first in the conference with a perfect 9-0 record, their last two setbacks coming in December to SEC schools LSU and Mississippi State.
Collins, a former Liberty-Eylau all-stater, has provided the leadership during UALR's nine-game winning streak, raising her scoring average to a team-high 15.7 points in her senior season.
Two weeks ago the 5-9 Collins scored a career-high 29 points against South Alabama, pouring in 16 more two nights later against Troy.
This past week she tallied 27 points against the University of Louisiana-Monroe, and another 23 at Louisiana. Collins leads all Sun Belt players in league action with a 21.3 scoring average.
"When we recruited Sharde' out of L-E we knew she was a great athlete," said UALR assistant coach Alicia Cash. "It was just a matter of her getting here and learning our system. We knew she'd be a good basketball player. It's finally all coming together for her.
"She's shooting the ball really well and having a great senior season. It is very rare for a girl to be player of the week back-to-back. Over the last five games she's been incredible. One thing she is doing is putting in a lot of work on her shot. She does it before practice and after practice. It's just her wanting to be better."
Former L-E coach Robert Cochran knew he had a special talent coming up in 2009, and when current Florida State standout Imani Wright transferred in he had high expectations for his team. The two freshmen didn't disappoint as the Lady Leopards won the Class 3A state championship.
Collins is leading the Trojans in three-point shooting this season, something she has developed over the last eight years.
She made only one trey during her freshman season in high school, and it came in the postseason and helped L-E win its' title.
"In a way I'm surprised, yet not surprised by my recent play," Collins said. "My dad told me earlier that my shot is the best he's ever seen it. My team and coach have made it better for me this year. They let me know that they want me to take those shots."
Ironically, Florida State is having an outstanding season, and some wonder by the wildest chance if the Trojans and Lady Seminoles could end up playing each other in the NCAA Tournament, with Collins paired against her former high school teammate Wright.
There's also speculation that both girls could be playing professional basketball.
"I think Sharde' could play professionally," Cash said. "She's very athletic and quick as I've already said. She gets her shot off so fast and that's hard to guard. I think she has the potential for sure to play overseas. Hopefully that works out for her if that's something she chooses to do."
If Cash's evaluation comes true, Collins would be following in the footsteps of another former UALR and L-E player. One of Cash's first recruits was Mattilyn McIntyre, who scored a record 45 points for the Leopards in the 2006-07 state tournament. That mark has since been broken.
"I have yet to decide my plans after graduation (this spring)," Collins said. "If the opportunity to play professionally comes I'll have to consider it, but I'm not really counting on that."
And while proud of her recent offensive production, Collins considers her best games to be those where she's played exceptionally well at both ends of the court.