During a historic year for basketball in the state of Alabama, with successful seasons from a host of college teams, there’s also a new, lesser-known program on the rise.

For the first time ever, the Shelton State women’s basketball team is playing for a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) national championship. The team belongs to the Alabama Community College Conference.

On Tuesday, the conference had some fun with the narrative that the Yellowhammer State, which has for so long been known as a football state, has now become one ruled by basketball. Tagging some of the state’s most prominent political figures and sports journalists, the official ACCC X page lobbied for the Shelton State Lady Bucs to receive proper acknowledgment for their contribution to the state’s growing reputation in the sport.

Hey @KevinScarbinsky, @SenTuberville, @SenKatieBritt, and @GovernorKayIvey. Can we add this to Alabama is a basketball state? 💪 https://t.co/pRTPauUoba

— ACCC (@acccathletics) April 1, 2025