Shequana Harris hasn’t been feeling like herself of late. The Murry Bergtraum rising senior guard has been playing through an ankle injury with her Gauchos Elite travel team.

“She was battling it,” coach Earl Elliotte said.

Harris had a return to form this weekend at the Battle on the Bayou in New Orleans where she helped lead the Gauchos to the silver bracket title with a win Monday over Houston Elite. She and Asia Jackson from Peekskill were instrumental in their team jumping out to an early lead thanks to defensivee pressure that forces countless turnovers leading to easy baskets. Free throws down the stretch allowed them to hold on for the victory.

“She is just now starting to get back to 100 percent,” Elliotte said of the 5-foot-8 Harris. She’s given me all I can expect. She really helps us out with her versatility, playing some defense.”

Harris, who has offers from James Madison, Providence, Hofstra, George Washington and Charlotte, didn’t get much playing time late in the final after getting elbowed in the throat during the second half. But her presence had already been felt. Elliotte praised the work of 5-foot-9 Piscataway star Danaejah Grant, ranked 50th in the Class of 2012 by HoopGurlz, and Kahleah Copper of Prep Charter (Pa.) on the boards.

“They played some defense,” Eliotte said. “It was a team effort.”

The Gauchos’ 7-1 recorded didn’t come easy. They had to adapt to a variety of styles in the playoffs including wins over the Arkansas Mavericks in the semifinals and a sharpshooting Kenner Angles squad from New Orleans before that. They will look to carry that momentum into the Nike Nationals in North Augusta, S.C., this week.

“It’s better than going in with a loss, I can tell you that,” Elliotte said. “I’d much rather be going in with some momentum. They feel good about themselves.”