Wallace State Lady Lions hoops "We are the champions."

Lady Lions put an end to Shelton controlling this conference:

GDW Analysis:
HUNTSVILLE: At this time a year ago, heartbreak for the Wallace State Lady Lions when they could not stay on top of rival Shelton State and lose the Alabama Community College Conference championship in OT at the University of Alabama Huntsville.
Now on March 8, 2025, the miracle has happened.
The Lady Lions gave a gallant effort and end Shelton's domination of the conference in a 49 to 46 nailbiter.
How things have gone for this program as they have shown the heart and soul to become a champion.
Now they have 28 wins out of 32 games, a 6 game winning streak, 9 wins out of 10 decisions since January and their first conference trophy coming back to Hanceville since 2011, the final year under legendary coach Larry Slater.
Slater is for sure, smiling from up above.
The triumph is against a program that shares stardom like the University of Connecticut in NCAA Division I.
Shelton had won 217 consecutive conference games and 9 championships before the upset of the season and one of the greatest triumphs for Wallace State Lady Lions basketball.
This game took special meaning for four sophomores.
Nylla Fuller, Kallie Tinker, Ella Collum, Jaden Toney endured the pain of victory eluding them when they made a solid run last season with Allen Sharpe taking control after Jessica McBrayer stepped away and went into coaching high school girls basketball.
Sharpe was a hot commodity after last season with four year programs taking huge interest in his skills.
 The University of Alabama Huntsville Lady Chargers hired Sharpe. He went into a Saturday semifinal in the Gulf South Conference with 25 wins, 4 losses and trying to get his new squad into the title bout Sunday at Samford University.
Joseph Simmons, who worked with Sharpe in his first tenure with Wallace State, from 2005 to 2010, got the nod to come in and keep the Lady Lions as winners.
This group is now enjoying "March Madness" in how the game is for this time of the year from the collegiate standpoint.
 Fuller was delighted for last year, she had some tough moments at the end of the contest.
 Fuller played her heart out Saturday, especially for being from nearby Sparkman High School.
 Fuller would score just 6 points, but had 9 rebounds, 8 defense and 3 assists.
 Tinker had a very good sophomore year as being one of the best 3 point shooters in the conference and across the country.
 Collum, a Cullman graduate, displayed her determination in seeing 52 wins in two seasons playing in the ACCC and more to come when they head to Texas for the nationals.
 Toney worked hard this season to increase her playing time and the end result of being one of many to contribute to the status of a conference champion and accomplishing it in comeback fashion.
 Shelton got out to a double digit lead in the first half before Wallace went on a surge in the 2nd period and tied the game at 25 to 25 to end the opening half.
 Shutting Shelton's attack down to allowing the Lady Bucs just 7 points in the 3rd propelled the Lady Lions to a 38 to 32 lead to start the final period.
 Freshman Idaysis Mercer nailed a huge three late in the 4th to put them up by the score of 47 to 42.

 Shelton stormed back and had a chance to take the lead but missed from very close range inside the final 10 seconds.
 The Lady Lions pushed the margin to 49 to 46 and dodged the bullet when Shelton's final shot of the game was not close to being converted.
 Mercer a year ago, gave her heart out in helping Jasper win its first AHSAA 5A championship.
 Now in her first season as a collegiate player, Mercer worked her way to 17 points in the title game, hitting 5 treys and would earn the MVP award.
 Wallace State has been a women's program very much known across this conference just like Shelton.
 In the last 3 years with three different coaches of McBrayer, Sharpe and Simmons, they became a triple threat with combined with 77 wins out of 94 games.
 McBrayer was 24 & 7 her final season, Sharpe 25 & 6 and Simmons now 28 & 4.
  Accolades go around. The first would be to Simmons, his assistant Toni West, a 2 time champion playing for Shelton State and the Lady Lions.
Also, to President Vickie Karolewics and Athletic Director Paul Bailey in how they handled the process once Sharpe moved out of Hanceville last spring and on to Huntsville.
To the Lady Lions on this wonderful day for them, I reflect on a song by one of my favorite female artist, Carly Simon.
"It's the stuff that dreams are made of,"
Congratulations from Gameday Weekly Lady Lions.

Photo courtesy of Wallace State media relations.