By Blake Chadwick
Junior guard Akyra Traver from Marais De Cygne is one of the most complete players in the state. The junior is a stat sheet stuffer who flirts with a triple-double game in and game out.
The junior has played basketball for over eight years and is averaging 20 points per game, 8.5 rebounds per game, 5.3 assists per game, and 5.1 steals per game.
“What makes her so special is the passion and effort she plays with,” head coach Mike McDougald said. “She’s a competitor who you have to drag off the court when she’s hurt because she wants to help her team be successful. For as great as she is on the court, she’s even a better person off the court as she is always helping others and doing volunteer work along with maintaining a 4.0 GPA.”
Traver has already amassed 1,000 career points in her career, and she was named to the 1A D2 all-state first team a season ago. But for her, she isn’t quite satisfied.
“I would love to make it to state again this year,” Traver said. “Our team goal is to make it to state playing one game at a time. My plan is to keep bringing a great work ethic every day and help my team get one step closer to our goal.”
The junior is also a standout volleyball and softball player for the Trojans and the head basketball coach for a 1st and 2nd-grade rec basketball team, adding to the long list of hobbies Traver does for the Melvern, Kansas community.
“I want to make sure you know that my team, community, and family mean the world to me,” Traver said. “They are always there for me in absolutely everything I have done. There has never been a day in my life that I remember being alone. The support is unreal. That alone will set a foundation for success.”
