Shadel Ffrench had little knowledge of basketball when she migrated to the United States five years ago. But when coaches at her high school in Southern California saw her height, they encouraged the Jamaican to take up the sport.

That she did, and with remarkable results. The 19 year-old, six foot, one inch freshman was one of the standouts for Glendale Community College in the recent Western State Conference in California.

Described by her team as a “defensive standout and rebound dynamo”, Ffrench excelled for the Glendale Vaqueros, who finished with 26 wins and five defeats. They beat San Diego Mesa and Citrus colleges in the Southern California Regionals, defeated Delta College in the state tournament before falling to defending champions Orange Coast College in the state semifinals.

Ffrench, a former student at Bog Walk High School (now Enid Bennett High School) in St Catherine, broke GCC’s record for rebounds in a game twice, posting a new mark of 26 against Citrus College in their final regular season game on February 21. Along with three of her team-mates, Ffrench was named to the All WSC First Team. She also made the California All State First Team.

“I did not watch basketball growing up. When I attended Bog Walk High School, I played netball and ran track and field. I picked up a basketball for the first time after I migrated to the United States during the start of the COVID pandemic,” she told Observer Online. “When I arrived in the US, I felt like a small fish in a big pond. I was encouraged to play basketball because of my height and athleticism, but due to COVID, all indoor sports were cancelled during my freshman year. I did not know what to do so I tried out for soccer, but that wasn’t the right sport for me. I remained interested in basketball and finally got the chance to play during my sophomore year.”

Her sophomore year was at Saint Monica Preparatory, a high school in Santa Monica, California. Moving to GCC, where she majors in nursing, Ffrench made an immediate impact.

She credits the coaching staff there for her sustained improvement.

“I am so blessed and grateful to each and every one of my coaches who have been there to guide me throughout this journey. The saying is true that it takes a village. I have the best support system to help me remain positive and stay on track,” said Ffrench, whose favourite players are Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing.

Established in 1950, the 18-team WSC is the oldest community college conference in California.

Founded in 1927, GCC’s noted alumni include actors Eva Mendes and Angie Dickinson, and television personality Ryan Seacrest.