Herald-Standard Athlete of the Week: Aierra Jenkins, Uniontown
Submitted photo
Name: Aierra Jenkins
School: Uniontown
Class: Senior
Sport: Basketball
Jenkins’ week: The Lady Red Raider senior recorded her 1,000th-career point in Uniontown’s 48-18 victory over Albert Gallatin last Thursday.
The 6-1 forward reached the mark early in the first quarter on back-to-back baskets. The game was stopped briefly while Jenkins celebrated with family, friends and teammates.
Jenkins shares the achievement with nine family members, including her father, Dierre, who is also in his first season as the head coach of the Lady Raiders.
“Obviously, I was going to be proud of myself for getting 1,000 points regardless, but it was a really good moment for me and my dad,” Aierra said. “It would have been nice to reach it at home, but you have to take advantage of the opportunity when you can. I was glad to be able to get it early in the game.”
Jenkins began the week with a 29-point effort on Dec. 8 against Beth-Center. She made seven 3-pointers against the Lady Bulldogs. Jenkins added 23 points against Brownsville two days later to bring her within four points of 1,000.
Jenkins played her first three seasons at Laurel Highlands, where she served as an inside presence, but she has expanded her repertoire and developed her outside shot.
“I have always worked on my shot, but I started working on it more in the summer time because I knew that I had to expand my game,” Jenkins said.
Family affair: Not only did Aierra celebrate with her father, but her cousin, Shandon Marshall, is the Lady Colonials’ head coach. Marshall scored 1,000 points during his career at Brownsville.
Other family members who reached 1,000 points during their high school careers are Reuben Davis (Laurel Highlands), Calvin Winfrey III (Uniontown), Tavian Mozie (Albert Gallatin), George Lemon (Brownsville), Rodney Gallagher III (Laurel Highlands) and Gallagher’s late mother, Crystal Fields-Gallagher (Tri Valley/Albert Gallatin).
Aierra’s mother, Chrissy McLee, also played basketball at Uniontown, and has plenty of other relatives who participated in sports.
“My family is big in sports,” Jenkins said. “Even when we are not playing, we are watching sports.”
Two-sport star: Jenkins has proven to be an all-around athlete, as she has committed to not only play basketball, but flag football at PennWest California.
The Lady Red Raiders will participate in flag football in the spring. Uniontown will compete in Section 2 with Belle Vernon, Bethel Park, Clairton, Mt. Lebanon, South Allegheny, South Fayette, Thomas Jefferson, Upper St. Clair, Monessen, Baldwin and Peters Township.
The top three teams in each section plus one wildcard will participate in the WPIAL playoffs.
Jenkins, like her father, is a wide receiver. She is eager for the season to begin.
“It was my second week after I transferred to Uniontown, and some of the girls from the basketball team told me that I should try out for flag football because I didn’t know they had a flag team here,” Jenkins said. “I came to the practices and immediately fell in love with it. I think I played in one tournament and the Cal coach saw me and offered me a scholarship. It was a little surprising to have scholarships in two sports, but I am glad to have the opportunity.”
Compiled by Jonathan Guth