Ffrench excited by new college season

AFTER AN outstanding first year with Glendale Community College (GCC) in California, Jamaican basketballer Shadel Ffrench is looking for even bigger things in the upcoming season which starts in October.

The former Bog Walk High School (now Edna Manley High School) student was one of the standouts for the Glendale Vaqueros, who finished with 26 wins and five defeats in the 18-team Western State Conference, the oldest community college conference in California.

They beat San Diego Mesa and Citrus colleges in the Southern California Regionals, and defeated Delta College in the state tournament before falling to defending champions Orange Coast College in the state semi-finals.

The 19-year-old, six foot, one-inch freshman 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 in February. Along with three of her teammates, Ffrench was named to the All WSC First Team, and made the California All State First Team.

“My goal for the team is my top priority. We made it to the semi-finals last year. So this year our goal is to win the State championship. As far as individual goals, I would like to improve on last year’s First Team, All-State honour. My goal is to be named Most Outstanding Player in California,” she said.

Ffrench had little knowledge of basketball when she migrated to the United States five years ago. Given her height, she was encouraged by high school coaches in Southern California to take up the sport.

Described by her team as a “defensive standout and rebound dynamo”, Ffrench was interested in other sports while living in Jamaica.

“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 explained.

“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.”

That 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.

“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 NBA legends Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing.