Women’s Basketball Preview: Lady Bucs Seek Another Tournament Run
Shelton State Community College women's basketball coach Madonna Thompson stepped on the floor this summer and her team caught her eye.
The 28-year head coach of the Lady Bucs is coming off a 31-5 record and the school's first appearance in the NJCAA Tournament National Championship Game.
She liked what see saw.
"In the summer when we were practicing I thought, wow, this is a legit basketball team and we have a chance to win the national championship," Thompson said.
"We had the speed, the size, the shooting ability and we have enough basketball IQ, that I thought, by the time March rolls around this group could be the one that wins it all."
On the eve of the season opener, Thompson is still optimistic but her team has been hit hard by the injury bug.
Sophomore guard Janiyah Bone (Huntsville) and freshman guard Shila Marks (Rogersville) both suffered season-ending ACL injuries in mid October.
Bone averaged 9.4 points and 3.3 rebounds for the Lady Bucs last season. She was very instrumental in the 2025 NJCAA Tournament run.
Marks was one of the top freshmen recruits. She was named to the 2025 Al.com Super 5 Team after leading Lauderdale County to the AHSAA Class 3A state championship. She was also named the Class 3A Finals MVP.
"We had two ACL tears within two weeks," Thompson said. "That is going to impact us without a doubt. It's hurt our depth and it's hurt our shooting ability."
In addition, two post players - freshman center Sara Amos (Enterprise) and freshman center Caitlin Hall (Jonestown, Miss.) are battling injuries that have limited their practice time.
"They have missed a lot of quality practice time that freshmen do not need to miss," Thompson added. "We will get them back, but they've missed a lot of quality time, especially Hall."
The Lady Bucs return three veteran players from last year's squad, headlined by sophomore guard Alana Obianozie (Huntsville), the team's leading returning scorer.
She started all 36 games and ranked second in scoring (13.4), rebounds (7.1) and field goal percentage (.484). She led the ACCC with 2.9 steals per game.
"She will be one of the highest recruited guards in the nation," Thompson said. She's the only one with big time minutes."
Also back are sophomore guard Arissa Jenkins (Haines City, Florida) and sophomore forward Bri Adams (Adamsville). Jenkins averaged 7.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in 36 games. Adams chipped in 3.7 points in 33 games.
Thompson is looking for both to have expanded roles this year.
"Jenkins ended up really blooming toward end of the year and played a lot in the national tournament," Thompson said. "She has stepped up her role and if she can be consistent, she will play a big role."
"Bri has definitely grown, matured and gotten better. She's one of those that I want her to stop thinking she's a role player. I want her to have mindset to take over and do more."
Redshirt freshman guard Abethany James (Huntsville) missed last season with a second ACL injury. She also missed her senior year at Sparkman High School with the same injury.
While the veteran experience is limited, Thompson brought in a dynamic freshman class that could be one of the best in school history.
The rookies combined to win four state championships in high school.
"I thought I made bank on all of those recruits," Thompson said. "This recruiting class is as good as I'm going to ever have."
The class includes guard Aryah Grace (Meridian, Miss.), guard Ella Wheeler (Sulligent), Nadia Norfleet (Tupelo, Miss.), guard Kaitlyn Gipson (Hoover), forward Haley Trotter (Chelsea), Amos and Hall.
Grace will headline the rookies. She scored over 2,000 career points at the Lamar School.
"She is the most versatile player out there," Thompson said. "She can handle it, pass it, she can shoot the three, she can drive it, she can post up, she can defend in the post, and she can defend on the perimeter.
"I expect her to be one of the top players to ever come through this program. She's intelligent, she smart, she's coachable."
Wheeler flew under the radar at Sulligent High School, where she runner-up for the 2024 Class 2A Player of the Year.
"A lot of people don't know how good she is," Thompson added. "She's got it. She knows what to do. Ella is going to do nothing but get better and people are going to be shocked at how good she is."
Norfleet won two MHSAA 7A state championships at Tupelo High School. She was the 2024 Class 7A Tournament MVP.
Nadia is extremely talented and will be our starting point guard," Thompson added. "She lacks experience but she's got the tools though."
Gipson won two AHSAA Class 7A state titles at Hoover High School, winning the MVP of the tournament her senior year. Trotter was the runner-up for 2025 AHSAA Class 6A Player of the Year.
"The kids we have signed are talented," Thompson added. "That's as good as we are going to get."
Shelton State opens the season this weekend at the Kragel Classic in Morristown, Tenn. The Lady Bucs will take on the host team, Walters State on
Saturday, Nov. 1 at 5:30 p.m. (CT) and Roane State on Sunday, Nov. 2 at 1 p.m. (CT).