HOUSTON — When it comes to filling the stat sheet, a local high school basketball player is nationally-ranked.
St. Pius X sophomore Zachara Perkins is tied for first in the country in double-doubles with 26, according to MaxPreps.
“They triple-team me, double-team me,” Perkins said, referring to how opponents choose to guard her.
“One team even put all five on her,” said St. Pius coach DeMya Walker Wheatfall.
Double-doubles are when a player scores 10 or more points, and gets 10 or more rebounds or assists, in a game.
Does it happen naturally?
“It really does,” Perkins said. “Because sometimes after the game, I'm not even thinking about it. I'm just like, 'Wow, I just had another double-double.'”
She’s averaging 23.7 points and 12.8 rebounds per game, according to MaxPreps. She’s had a double-double in every game.
Her opponents don’t see all the work she puts in. Her coach sees a more mature player.
“As a sophomore, she handles it,” said Walker-Wheatfall.
Walker-Wheatfall is also Zachara’s mother and a former WNBA All-Star. Perkins' father also played professional basketball overseas.
“She's better than me,” Walker-Wheatfall added. “I don't like to admit it too much. But her ability at her size, she's 6 feet 2 inches and she's still growing. So her versatility is starting to actually be versatile.”
While double-doubles are great, Perkins has a single goal.
"I really want my team to go to state," Perkins said.
That’s her game plan. Now try and stop it.