Andrayah Adams does not let the stress of her accomplishments weigh her down.

The junior guard leads both St. Paul Como Park and the state in scoring, and Adams keeps her composure on the court despite attracting plenty of attention as opponents try to contain the Cougars’ top offensive threat.

“I’ve always been pretty relaxed,” Adams said. “I’ve been doing (this) for awhile, so I learned not to get rattled.”

Adams showed off her easy-going nature and her deft scoring touch, finishing with 40 points to lead St. Paul Como Park past St. Paul Harding 77-50 in a St. Paul City Conference matchup at Harding High School on Tuesday night.

It was Adams’ third game this season with 40 or more points. She broke her own school record with 46 points in a 104-97 loss at Maranatha Christian Academy on Jan. 31 and reset the mark with a season-high 49 in a 74-61 loss at Hastings on Feb. 9.

Against the Knights on Tuesday night, Adams set another season mark with nine three-pointers - including eight in the second half - as the Cougars’ offense launched several shots from behind the three-point line in blowing out St. Paul Harding.

St. Paul Como Park coach John Robinson said he prefers his team follow a more disciplined game plan but is pleased with his players’ execution. 

“I’d like the ball to be passed around a couple times before that ball is jacked up,” Robinson said with a smile. “But, if you’re wide open, let it fly.”

Adams certainly has let the ball fly this season, and she has not missed the mark.

As of Feb. 17, she has 79 three-pointers and is shooting 42 percent from behind the three-point line. Adams is also converting 50 percent of her two-point attempts and 80 percent from the free-throw line.

Adams' scoring prowess has her averaging 30.2 points per game, and she has amassed 754 points in 25 games. She averaged 20.9 ppg as a sophomore and 13.7 ppg as a freshman.

Adams surpassed 2,000 points for her career with a 35-point performance in a win over St. Croix Lutheran on Jan. 16. 

At 5-foot-10, Adams has the size and talent to play forward and both guard positions, and she is drawing interest from several colleges. She reportedly has offers from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Maryland, Michigan, Rutgers, DePaul, Arizona State and South Carolina.

Adams won the St. Paul City Conference scoring title last year with a 19.7 ppg average and seems to be a lock to win another, but she can do more than score. She leads the team in rebounding (8.1 per game), assists (4.2) and steals (3.3).

Cougars freshman guard Mikayla VanNett said Adams’ positive attitude and upbeat personality is just as important as her court talents. 

“If I mess up, she encourages me to do better,” said VanNett, who finished with 12 points against the Knights. “She’s so funny and outgoing...She’s like a pot of sunshine.”

Under Adams’ leadership, St. Paul Como Park (17-8, 10-1) has blossomed into a contender for the St. Paul City Conference title. 

The Cougars sit atop the league standings with a half-game lead on St. Paul Central and close out the regular season against St. Paul Johnson, a team St. Paul Como Park defeated 90-53 on Feb. 4 behind Adams’ 39 points.

A victory over the Governors would secure the Cougars a share of their first city league championship.

“We’re in uncharted waters,” Robinson said. “We’ve never been (here) before.”

The Cougars, however, could find themselves vying for another conference crown next year under Adams’ leadership.

Junior guard Andrayah Adams scored 40 points to lead St. Paul Como Park past St. Paul Harding 77-50 in St. Paul City Conference action Tuesday night at St. Paul Harding High School.  

Adams made nine three-pointers, including eight in the second half, en route to her third game this season with 40 or more points. She leads the state in scoring (30.2 points per game) and points (754) this season.

Freshman guard Mikayla VanNett added 12 points for the Cougars (17-8, 10-1).

Senior guard Mac’Quaya Lesure scored 11 points for the Knights (9-11, 3-9). 

Despite the score, the game was more competitive than St. Paul Como Park's 81-26 drubbing of St. Paul Harding on Jan. 30.

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