Merrillville’s Malika Jenkins didn’t rest on her laurels.

After making a splash last season, the 5-foot-7 sophomore guard has continued to progress, impressing Darian Straughter, who is in her first year as the coach at her alma mater.

“MJ has definitely grown a lot over the course of this school year, this season,” Straughter said. “I’m definitely very proud of how far she has come along. She still has a lot of potential and a lot of growth that can occur in the next two years.”

As part of that growth, Jenkins has been learning to control her emotions and have a short-term memory.

“Just moving on to the next play,” she said. “Don’t get so frustrated and just keep pushing.”

Jenkins has pushed forward to average 13.8 points, 3.0 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.9 steals for the Pirates (15-6) this season. She posted 12.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.9 steals as a freshman.

Jenkins holds herself to a high standard. But she entered last season with an open mind.

“I didn’t put too much pressure on myself because I knew how young I was,” she said. “I just played freely and how I usually play, and it worked out well.”

That approach involves unselfishness.

“I’m able to pass,” Jenkins said. “I’m a pass-first player. I like to pass and see my teammates score. I can shoot, too, but I like getting assists.”

Jenkins and the Pirates will play a Class 4A Chesterton Sectional semifinal against the host Trojans (14-8) on Friday night. Merrillville defeated the Trojans during the Duneland Athletic Conference season on Jan. 10. The winner would advance to play either conference champion Valparaiso (16-7) or Portage (10-12) in the sectional final on Saturday.

Last season, the Pirates lost in a sectional final to Lake Central, the eventual state runner-up. They last won a sectional title in 2021.

“The goal last year was to get a championship,” Jenkins said. “I wanted to have a good season overall and learn something from the older people as a freshman, making the jump from eighth grade to a freshman.

“This year, it’s mentally just knowing that last season is in the past. Just move on and we can get farther and work harder and make more of a push. I like how we get through tough moments. If we want something, we can definitely get it.”

Straughter believes Jenkins has that ability to lift a team.

“I’m hoping she can lead us to a sectional title this season and take us even further with the help of her other teammates, the seniors, the rest of the team,” Straughter said.

“She’s a great athlete, a great student in the classroom. We’re just waiting to see what schools will come after her.”

Jenkins has time to draw such attention. But she has those kinds of aspirations.

“I would love to play college basketball and see how far it could take me,” she said. “The WNBA is the main goal.”