Shelbyville Golden Eaglette basketball standout Alex Jarrell signs to attend Pepperdine University as her parents, Jennifer and Russ Jarrell, look on. From left in back row are Shelbyville assistant coaches LaBora McCroskey and Misty Thompson, head coach Lynn Burkey and assistant coach Jana Reynolds. (T-G Photo by Gary Johnson) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

The Class of 2008's valedictorian recently signed a letter of intent to continue her education as well as her basketball career at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif.

"I'm very excited," Jarrell said. "Pepperdine is a phenomenal school and this is just a great opportunity to expand my horizons while still playing basketball and get a great education at an Ivy League school on the beach. I know basketball for me will be over after college so I needed a school [where] I could get a great education."

She plans on entering the medical profession, possibly as a dermatologist or anesthesiologist.

To excel both in the classroom and on the court hasn't been easy, but Jarrell has had the unique ability to manage both at the highest level.

She has won numerous awards for her academic and athletic achievements.

As a four-year starter for the Eaglettes, she was just shy of scoring 1,500 points in her career. She collected 520 rebounds and had 108 blocked shots.

"It's been hard but also very rewarding," Jarrell said. "There's been a lot of late night studying, taking books on the bus on away games and I've had to do a lot of time management. I've always put school first. I'm a student-athlete and student comes first."

Pepperdine has had its eye on Jarrell. Head coach Julie Rousseau said she's excited to sign her.

Class of 2008 valedictorian Alex Jarrell scored nearly 1,500 points and grabbed over 500 rebounds in her career at Shelbyville. (T-G Photo by Gary Johnson) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

"This was worth the wait," said Rousseau. "We've been working with Alex since the beginning of her senior year. We're happy it finally materialized and she will become part of our Pepperdine family. She's a perfect fit for our program in that she's a Christian, an excellent student and a great athlete and as I promised her mother, we will take good care of her!"

The combination of academics and athletics drew a lot of attention to Jarrell form a number of schools.

"Alex has been very smart through the whole recruiting process and was really looking for the best fit for her," Shelbyville coach Lynn Burkey said. "She had a pretty good understanding of what she wanted and what was best for her.

"She is really a great example of the student athlete who puts 'student' first. She does a great job in the classroom and is a very talented basketball player. There is no doubt that Alex Jarrell will be very successful no matter what she chooses to do in her life."

Jarrell's successes

Whether in the classroom or on the court, Alex Jarrell is a standout. Her awards include:

ACADEMICS

*Freshman

Honors Algebra II Award

Honors English I

Honors Physical Science

*Sophomore

Honors Geometry

Honors English 2

Honors Biology

Spanish 2

*Junior

Honors Pre-Calculus

Honors English 3

Honors Chemistry

Vanderbilt Book Club

*Senior

Valedictorian

Most Intellectual

Advanced Placement Biology

Honors Physics

ATHLETICS

*Freshman

All-Region

Freshman of the Year

*Sophomore

All-Region

Eaglette Academic Award

*Junior

All-District

All-Region

All Mid-State

Street & Smith Honorable Mention All-American

Offensive Player of the Year

Eaglette Academic Award

*Senior

All-District

All Region

Second Team All-State

Street & Smith Honorable Mention All-American

McDonald's All-American Nominee

Leadership Award

Eaglette Award

Eaglette Academic Award