Illinoisan ‘consummate team player’ for TRC

It may not look like it in the stats, but a key piece to the No. 19 Three Rivers women’s basketball season comes in the form of a COVID-sophomore who is willing to just about everything it takes on the court to win. 

Ahniya Melton is the consummate team player and the young woman from Aurora, Illinois, has brought a work ethic and toughness to the forward position that comes in handy for the Lady Raiders. 

“Ahniya is just a phenomenal teammate and she has grown on the court as far as being a better player confidence-wise, skill level-wise,” TRC head coach Alex Wiggs said. “She is the glue kid wants to have and needs to have. She is that constant factor. She is a kid you have to have out there because she impacts a game. It doesn’t have to be scoring — it’s her communication and leadership out there on that court. 

“She is an amazing player.” 

Melton comes to Poplar Bluff via the Chicago area and brought that brand to the Libla Family Sports Complex court and has averaged 4.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg and 1.5 apg while probably averaging 20-25 gritty plays a night for the Lady Raiders. 

“I am definitely the scrappy kind of player that does the little things,” Melton said. “I am not a huge scorer, but I can put the ball in the hole when it’s needed to be. I am a big rebounder and I try to do the little things that make a big difference.” 

Melton said that her experience at the school started off on a turbulent foot as she entered the fray during the height of the COVID pandemic and admitted she wasn’t sure what she would face at first. 

She made the move to Three Rivers when a former Lady Raider played for Melton’s previous coaches and that’s how the connection was established. 

“As soon as I got here it was the atmosphere and people in the community that was so welcoming,” Melton said. “I have met so many people that I wouldn’t have expected to meet and have made life-long friendships. I have learned so much as a basketball player.” 

She noted the team making the national final four in 2021 and two straight unbeaten regular seasons the previous couple of campaigns. 

Melton said that many of her hooper friends in high school didn’t go to many junior college programs, but she says their reaction to her tales of Three Rivers fan support resonated. 

“When I talk to my former teammates from high school, they were even shocked at how big a basketball community we are especially with a junior college,” Melton said. “My friends will come down to go to games and they are surprised at how many fans we have and how nice our gym is. 

“I don’t think there are many junior colleges that compare to this one.” 

She’s learned plenty about Southeast Missouri and Poplar Bluff during her time here. 

“One of my teammates took me to the river and I had never done that before — I didn’t even know what that was,” Melton said. “Floating and going down the river was pretty cool.” 

Melton has designs on continuing her playing career after adding things to her game she didn’t have previously. 

“It’s about having the support from the coaches, putting in the extra work and learning how big communication is within a team,” Melton said. “A lot of coaches don’t push that and that should help me as I continue to go on. 

“I plan on to transferring to keep playing basketball and I want to continue to study pediatric occupational therapy.” 

Melton said her next move “is up in the air,” and will wait to see how the season goes for the Lady Raiders. 

“I am really not putting any limits on where I want to go,” she said.