Nakia Cheatham has done a little bit of everything during her four-year basketball career at Coahoma County High School.
She scored more than 1,000 points during her high school career and was ranked No. 23 for high school seniors in Mississippi play sports. She has played in the post, guard and small forward and that versatility enabled her to average a double-double her senior year with 14.1 points, 12.1 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 1.8 blocks per game.
Cheatham was in the starting lineup all four years of high school and the Lady Red Panthers were Class 2A state runner-up her freshman and senior years.
Now, she is taking her talent to another level and committed to playing for Coahoma Community College next season.
Cheatham said Lady Tigers coach Stephanie Murphy was more interested in her than any other coach. She received other offers during the state tournament in Jackson, but they came too late.
“I haven’t been watching CCC for a long time, but from the time she’s been the coach and I’ve been watching, they’ve been improving a lot,” Cheatham said.
Murphy recently finished her second season as the Lady Tigers coach.
Cheatham said she was impressed with the attitude of everyone in the program and execution on the court.
“They’re working hard,” Cheatham said.
Cheatham said there was pressure for her to sign with Delta State University, but she was more comfortable with Murphy said CCC.
“I’ve never really been a fan of Delta State and I’ve never really talked about it,” Cheatham said. “I don’t feel comfortable going there. People wanted me to do there. I don’t feel comfortable going there.”
Cheatham, who is 6 feet, said she does not know what position she will play at CCC, but she would prefer to be at the small forward spot.
“I’m working on my ball handling, being a shooting guard and stuff,” Cheatham said. “Most likely, I would prefer playing at the 3.”
Cheatham said she would most likely play small forward at a four-year school.
“I do want to play basketball after CCC, but I’m not really sure what school yet,” Cheatham said. “The options that I’m given, I’ll take them into consideration. Whatever school that’s looking for me to play for them, I’m going to choose the best school for me.”
Games Cheatham is looking forward to at CCC is when the Lady Tigers face Northeast Mississippi Community College.
Cheatham’s Coahoma County High School teammate, guard Calysia Phillips, recently committed to playing for Northeast Mississippi Community College next season.
“It’s going to be good,” Cheatham said. “I want to see what it brings. I feel like it will be good competition against us.”
Cheatham won the state championship in the 400-meter dash as a freshman and sophomore at CCHS, but track season has not taken place this year because of the coronavirus.
Lady Tigers assistant coach Isaiah Butler is helping Cheatham stay in shape and prepare for the upcoming basketball season.
“My new assistant coach at CCC, he has been sending me some workout routines and some ball handling routines,” Cheatham said. “I’ve just been following those.”
Butler provided Cheatham two videos a day to watch five days a week. The first video helps with cardio and muscle and has exercises such as jump roping. The second video has ball handling drills where Cheatham is able to time herself.
“You do it every day,” Cheatham said. “They’re at home drills, so you can do it anywhere at home.”
