Monroe’s Jones Bears Heavy Load

Shakaria Jones led the region’s City Section girls’ basketball players in assists this season, but none compare to the assist she has given her family.

Her mother has been in failing health since Jones’ father died in 1991, leaving the Monroe High senior to serve as surrogate mother to her brothers and sisters.

“I don’t mind,” Jones said. “I like the responsibility, and I think it makes me stronger.”

While many athletes are consumed only by schoolwork and sports, Jones, the fifth of eight children, helps her younger siblings get dressed each morning, walks them to school, shops for groceries, cooks and cleans.

In between, she volunteers for community work, carries a full course load and earned All-Valley Mission League and second-team Times All-Valley honors.

Tonight at Cal State Northridge, Jones will play her final high school game, representing the City against the Southern Section in the Battle of the Valley all-star game.

Jones’ list of admirers is longer than her daily to-do list.

“She’s such a great leader,” said forward Rasheeda Gray of Monroe, who will also play tonight. “She handles everything so well, both on and off the court.”

Jones, who hopes to become a history teacher, has more than overcome her own challenging history.

Her father, George Jones, died suddenly of heart and lung problems when Shakaria (pronounced Sha-Keera) was 9. Her mother, Eula Collins, has been in and out of hospitals, suffering from several ailments, including diabetes and high blood pressure.

A four-year varsity player, the 5-foot-4 point guard has weathered a rocky program that was 13-23 her first two seasons amid an exodus of transfers to rival schools.

Although tempted to leave as well, Jones stayed and grew into a cornerstone of a Viking program that went 18-8 and finished second in the league this season.

Her basketball future is uncertain. Jones, who averaged team-bests of 13.8 points, 5.6 assists and 3.3 steals, hopes a good performance tonight will lead to a college opportunity.

Opposing coaches are more than willing to serve as references.

“She’s definitely a Division I athlete in my opinion,” said Simi Valley Coach Dave Murphy, whose team played against Monroe in a holiday tournament. “I was very impressed with her.”

Said Coach Mike Wagner of league rival Reseda: “They’ve made the playoffs the last couple of years because of her leadership and ability. She’s a true, old-school point guard who gave them 32 minutes of everything she had every single night.”

Throughout her career, that has been the case.

Basketball has been an escape of sorts for Jones, who worries far less about losing basketball games than other things.

“I just don’t want to lose my mom,” she said. “My family means more than anything to me.”

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BATTLE OF THE VALLEY

What: All-Star basketball game

Who: Southern Section girls vs. City Section girls; Southern Section boys vs. City Section boys

When: Tonight (Girls’ game at 5:30; boys’ game at 7:30)

Where: Cal State Northridge

Admission: Stadium seats $8; bleacher seats $6; children under 5 free.