Lady Bucs Outlast Gadsden to Reach ACCC Finals

TALLADEGA - The No. 5 ranked Shelton State Community College women's basketball team grinded out a 57-53 win over Gadsden State in the semifinals of the ACCC Women's Basketball Tournament on Friday afternoon.

Shelton State (28-3) advanced to the ACCC Finals for the 12th straight year. The Lady Bucs will face Lawson Stare, who upset No. 2 seed Wallace State Hanceville in the other semifinal.

The Lady Bucs had posted two easy wins over the Cardinals this season but Friday's game went down to the last possession.

Shelton State defeated Gadsden 82-59 on Feb. 2 in Gadsden, and 80-43 on March 2 in Tuscaloosa.

Freshman Aryah Grace, freshman Nadia Norfleet, and sophomore Bri Adams all scored double figures.

Grace led the way with 13 pointers on 5-of-10 shooting. She added five rebounds and three steals.

Norfleet made three, 3-pointers and finished with 12 points, four rebounds and two assists. 

Adams made 5-of-10 shots and finished with 10 points. 

The Lady Bucs were 23-for-61 (.377) from the floor.

Shelton State head coach Madonna Thompson was named the 2026 ACCC Coach of the Year. 

Grace was named the 2026 ACCC Player of the Year. 

Norfleet was a 2026 First-Team All-ACCC selection and sophomore Alana Obianozie was a Second-Team pick