Ashley Grimes has talent.

Just one year away from Selma High School Grimes has already become a prime player for Wallace Community College-Selma.

In fact, at 20.72 points per game, she leads the entire state in scoring in the JUCO ranks.

“When I got here they moved me from what I played at Selma High (shooting forward) to point guard,” Grimes said.

“I think making that move this year really gave me the freedom to run around and make my own shot.

“I like to get down the floor and really pass the ball when I was double teamed. This year, though, I had to score a little more and that’s what I did.”

The 5-foot-7 freshman has always been a great player, according to her former coach Anthony Harris, but Grimes said it took some time adjusting to the college environment.

“(College) was harder than I thought it would be from the start,” Grimes said. “The adjustment of having to get up and run at 5 a.m. and then go to class. Having to do all that on your own away from home is a lot harder than I thought it would be.”

Grimes was able to fight through the work, much like she did as a young Saint.

“When she came in to the high school as a freshman, she was a little shy,” said Harris. “It really took her to her junior year to break out of her shell and step up to the plate.

“She has always worked hard to refine the very obvious talent that she has. She came in with speed, jumping building and everything else you need to be a good player, but she was also a good student both on the court and academically.”

After just one year, Grimes is already getting contacted by Alabama and UAB but has one more season to go to show just what she can do.

“It’s fun out there. I’m glad to do what I love.”