A close-knit Fresno City College women’s basketball team is having fun on the court
It’s been a few years since the Fresno City College women’s basketball team won the Central Valley Conference title.
The last time was under then-coach Brian Tessler in 2019.
Tessler retired to spend more time at home and Fresno City began a search for a new coach.
It didn’t take that long to select a new coach in Alex Fletcher, who played for the Rams under Ed Madec.
Since taking over the program, Fletcher had a vision for the Rams that he knew it would take some time but he was patient.
Fast forward to the 2023-2024 season, Fletcher brought in a group that enjoys having fun on the court and playing loose on their way to a CVC title and a No. 3 seed in the Northern California playoffs.
The Rams will face No. 14 Skyline at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Fletcher said he enjoys seeing his players have fun together.
“It’s definitely been like that all season,” he said. “I think one of our strengths as a team is our players. They’re themselves at all times, whether it’s off the court or on the court. They have fun. They’re unselfish, work hard and they just have fun.”
Rams sophomore Briajanae Wade said for them it’s all about winning the CVC title and hopefully a state championship.
Wade said the chemistry her teammates have is like nothing else because they believe in each other.
Case in point: Following the Rams’ win over College of the Sequoias, the players got the water jug and poured water over Fletcher leading the Rams to sliding head first onto the court to celebrate.
“Our chemistry really helped us win,” she said. “We work well together. Without our chemistry it wouldn’t have worked out for us.”
Rams sophomore guard Corin Camara said the camaraderie the Rams have is really fun to see.
She acknowledged that it helped the team be successful this season.
“Great group of girls everywhere,” she said. “We love each other. Hangout on-and-off the court and we also have a lot of fun on the bench cheering on our teammates.”
