RAPID CITY — Mahpiya Luta’s already potent lineup was bolstered by transfer Shania Ferguson this season.

Ferguson, a transfer from nearby Lakota Tech, joined Mahpiya Luta and its strong cast of returners from last season’s Class A state runner-up team. Ferguson, a 1,000-point scorer and all-stater, has been a welcoming addition to Mahpiya Luta. 

“We’re always happy to have a player that’s that quality of a player,” Mahpiya Luta coach Matt Rama said. “She’s buying into what we are trying to do. She might have a few less shots here, but she’s OK with that. Because we have a lot of kids that can do a lot of things. She’s good at being a team player and doing what she needs to do to help us be successful.”

Ferguson, a 5-foot-7 senior guard, said the transfer has been smooth and the players have embraced her on and off the court. 

“It’s been good,” Ferguson said. “It’s a good change for me I feel like and the journey has been going good so far.”

Ferguson played with Mahpiya Luta during the summer, which she said helped with her transition during the season.  

“It helped a lot because I felt like I was included in everything,” Ferguson said. “So I just made sure I ran the plays right in the summer so I knew them in the season.” 

Last season, Ferguson averaged 19.7 points, 5.1 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game. She knocked down 45 3-pointers. Rama said Ferguson has been open to potentially less shots and has bought into Mahpiya Luta’s culture. 

“It doesn’t matter who scores, as long as we score,” Rama said. “We need to have as many high quality shots every game that we possibly can. Your game might not be today. It might be tomorrow. She’s bought into that thought process pretty well.” 

Ferguson and Class A No. 1 Mahpiya Luta are off to a 3-0 start, including two wins at the Lakota Nation Invitational. Ferguson tallied 16 points vs. Marty on Wednesday and totaled 18 points against Todd County on Thursday. 

Ferguson said her goal is to help Mahpiya Luta win its fifth consecutive Lakota Nation Invitational championship this week, along with winning the Class A state championship. 

Ferguson, who hopes to play college basketball, first is enjoying her final Lakota Nation Invitational as a student-athlete. She said playing in the LNI has been a special experience for her. 

“Just having fun,” she said about what makes the LNI special. “Playing teams from all over and just seeing different people and the environment.”