FTCC women basketball in 2026 NJCAA championship Peace Shepard

The Fayetteville Technical Community College women's basketball team completed a remarkable run to the NJCAA Division II Region 10 championship this season, reaching 21 wins in a program that didn't exist a decade ago.

The Trojans' success stems from a coaching hire that connected the program to basketball royalty. Head coach Peace Shepard, who branches from an iconic coaching tree, built a locally based roster centered on talent, speed, and willpower — along with an inspired staff that maximized every player's contribution.

The two-year turnaround at the community college level is particularly impressive. Unlike four-year programs that can develop players over multiple seasons, NJCAA programs must rebuild their rosters every two years, making sustained success far more difficult. FTCC's 21-win season required not just recruiting talent but integrating it quickly.

The Trojans' roster draws heavily from the surrounding community, giving local players a chance to continue their basketball careers while earning their degrees. That local foundation has created a loyal fan base and a sense of investment that bigger programs sometimes struggle to manufacture.

**What This Means For You:** Community college athletics are one of the best values in sports — affordable, local, and genuinely competitive. If you live near Fayetteville, catch a Trojans game next season. And if you're a high school athlete who isn't getting Division I offers, programs like FTCC prove that you can keep playing, keep developing, and keep winning at a level that deserves attention.