BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

PORTSMOUTH, Ohio — Former Martin County basketball star Laken Williams continues to make her mark at Shawnee State University, both on the court and in the classroom.

Williams, who is heading into her junior season, earned a spot on the President’s List after posting a 4.0 GPA. She is majoring in criminal justice with a minor in cybersecurity and plans to pursue a career in law enforcement or another area of the criminal justice field.

“I plan to pursue a career where I can make a positive impact on my community,” Williams said. “I’ve always wanted a career that allows me to help people.”

Williams said college has helped her grow in every area of her life.

“I’ve grown a lot since coming to college,” Williams said. “On the court, I’ve become more confident and disciplined, and I’ve learned that every day is an opportunity to improve. Off the court, I’ve become more independent and better at managing my responsibilities.”

Balancing basketball, school and everyday life has not always been easy, but Williams said it has taught her time management, resilience and focus.

Those qualities also helped her earn academic honors. Williams said making good grades has always been a priority, dating back to her high school years.

“Our coach really emphasizes that we are student-athletes and the student part comes first,” Williams said. “We have study hall every day. Even on away trips, we’ll have it in the hotels.”

Williams said the team uses that time to catch up on assignments or get ahead. Shawnee State also holds random grade checks, and if grades are not where they need to be, the entire team is held accountable.

“I also take pride in representing my team and university well,” Williams said.

Williams credits her time at Martin County with helping prepare her for the demands of college basketball.

“Playing at Martin County High School helped prepare me by teaching me the value of hard work and accountability,” Williams said. “My coaches and teammates always pushed me to compete and improve. It gave me a strong foundation, but college basketball showed me there’s another level of intensity. I was ready to take on that challenge because of my time at Martin County.”

Williams has been part of two successful seasons at Shawnee State.

As a freshman, she helped the Bears win the River States Conference regular-season championship and earn an automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament. Shawnee State advanced to the conference championship game and won its first-round game in the NAIA Tournament in Williamsburg before falling five points short of a trip to the Sweet 16.

Her sophomore season brought another national tournament appearance. Shawnee State earned an at-large bid and traveled to Springfield, Missouri, for the first and second rounds. The Bears entered as the lower seed but upset two higher-seeded teams to advance to the NAIA Sweet 16 in Sioux City, Iowa.

It marked Shawnee State’s first Sweet 16 appearance since 2019.

“That run was a testament to our team’s resilience, determination, and belief in one another,” Williams said.

Williams also earned individual recognition during her sophomore season. She received the Champions of Character Award and was named Second Team All-Conference.

“Those recognitions meant a lot because they reflected not only my performance on the court but also my commitment to representing my team and university the right way,” Williams said.

Williams said several people have helped shape her journey, including her family, coaches and teammates. She also said that losing one of her best friends changed her perspective and continues to motivate her.

“That experience changed my perspective on life and motivates me every day to make the most of every opportunity,” Williams said.

Now Williams is preparing for another challenge as Shawnee State transitions from the NAIA to NCAA Division II and joins the Mountain East Conference.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to compete at a higher level, continue developing as a player and leader, and put in the work alongside my teammates as we pursue a Mountain East Conference championship,” Williams said.

For younger athletes in Martin County who look up to her, Williams offered a simple message.

“Believe in yourselves, even when things get difficult,” Williams said. “There will be challenges and setbacks, but don’t let those define you. Keep working hard, stay humble, and remember that success doesn’t happen overnight. The little things you do every day will eventually pay off, and most importantly, have fun.”