Starting small to finish big: Shelton State is just the beginning for Sexton
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (BVM) — Shelton State Community College is a small school nestled in the countryside of Tuscaloosa, overshadowed by the University of Alabama. With enrollment just upwards of 4,000 students, its sports compete in the NJCAA Division I level. But its programs are nothing to scoff at, especially its women’s basketball team.
Under the tutelage of storied head coach Madonna Thompson, the past 22 years of Buccaneers women’s basketball have been, simply, winning. Thompson has led her teams to a 580-131 mark and has helped 88 players move on to extend their playing careers at four-year universities.
That’s why, despite being a microscopic blip on the Tuscaloosa map, former Scottsboro High School point guard Keara Sexton knew that Shelton State was the place for her.
“I knew coach Madonna was going to push me harder,” Sexton said. “I know that even though I get yelled at for making a mistake, they are doing it to make me a better player for the future.”
Sexton quickly adjusted to that in her first couple of freshman practices, and was able to become a difference-maker in her inaugural season with the Lady Bucs. Her nightly averages were 5.6 points, 2.4 assists, 1.4 rebounds and one steal, all in 15 minutes of action.
The team finished 29-2, qualifying for the NJCAA national championship tournament, only to have it canceled due to COVID-19. So while Sexton may have missed out on postseason play in her first year, she knows what it’ll take to earn that opportunity again this coming year.
“During practice, everything we do, we do it quickly so that in a game, it’s fast and efficient.” Sexton said.
The perfection of their up-tempo offense led to an average of 90.4 points per game this season, winning the majority of their contests in blowout fashion. Although they will be losing multiple high-production players, Sexton is prepared to take on an expanded role.
Thompson spoke highly of her sophomore point guard, saying that she’ll be able to succeed when called upon because she has that DNA.
“Not everybody can play for me because I do get after them and get every ounce of potential I can out of them, and not everybody can handle that,” Thompson said. “But she’s very coachable.”
That ability to allow herself to take constructive criticism will serve Sexton well. At the JUCO level, Thompson says the first year is always a training year. Everybody plays, but you are taking time to learn the terminology, the expectations, and the style of play. Then when that sophomore year comes along, you are ready to lead the new freshmen.
Coach Thompson says that Sexton is exactly where she should be in terms of preparation, and that she’ll be able to be a team leader.
“I’m extra picky about my point guards. I have never won a championship without an excellent point guard,” Thompson said. “That’s the motor of your team, the coach on the court.”
Being trusted by Thompson alone says a lot about Sexton’s capabilities. And although she is focused on this upcoming season, the JUCO level is a place to polish your skills and move to a four-year institution. Both Thompson and Sexton know that, and believe she’ll be somebody who goes on to continue her basketball career elsewhere.
In fact, Thompson specializes in helping her athletes move on to bigger and better things.
“Every time a kid signs, we put that school’s name and colors up on our walls. Our locker room is lined with them,” Thompson said. “We’ve gotten the University of Alabama, University of Hawaii, we have Michigan State in there, all the way to NAIA. It’s all levels of play.”
So after a fruitful career at Scottsboro High School, and what’s developing into a successful career at Shelton State, Keara Sexton’s basketball story will play on. Choosing the Lady Bucs and coach Thompson might’ve been the best move for her journey, and she plans on repaying them by way of on-court production this coming winter.
