By Amanda Scurlock for The LA Sentinel
Originally published Aug. 5, 2026
During her freshman year at Crenshaw High School, Zakaria Wade had a strict schedule. Outside of helping the Cougars flag football and girls basketball teams reach the playoffs, she competed with a volleyball club team.
With the help of Wade, the flag football team had a 16-8-1 overall record and a 12-3-1 Coliseum League record during the 2025-2026. She played wide receiver, competing in 18 games with 18 receptions for 423 yards for three touchdowns.
Wade also played in 18 games during the basketball season, averaging 4.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.9 steals. With Wade, the Cougars girls’ basketball team reached the second round of the City Section Division III playoffs.
Wade played volleyball through her club team South Gate. She played at the middle and outside blocker positions. Her favorite part of being with the team is developing different connections with her teammates.
“We all came as a team, we bond together,” Wade said. “We all love each other and our coach.”
Being a wide receiver has helped Wade with her hand movements. Through flag football, Wade learned the importance of staying focused and listening to coaches.
“To catch the ball in football and basketball is kind of hard,” Wade said. “Especially while running.”
The Cougars flag football team reached the second round of the City Section Division II playoffs. A highlight for Wade was the moment she shared with her teammates after the final game of the season.
“We were all bunched up together, on our knees,” she said. “We were all thinking about what we did. It was the last senior’s game. We were all crying, but we did our stuff that game.”
Trying to balance all three sports has been a challenge due to scheduling conflicts, according to Wade.
“Somedays, you have to practice on the same exact days, like on Saturdays, Thursdays,” she said. “It’s hard to balance out what days to go, when you have games.”
A valuable lesson she learned from a coach is not to focus on mistakes, but on positive things. For Wade, being a student athlete means having the skills and talents to handle tough situations
“Some people can’t do the stuff I do, especially doing schoolwork,” Wade said.
Her favorite class is health. Outside of academics and athletics, Wade works in sports medicine. This taught her about the different parts of the human body.
“When you’re a student athlete, you have to know what’s going on, who’s getting injured,” Wade said. “Focusing on the injuries.”
Wade aspires to be a successful coach.