Mayor Alton Craft and the Oxford City Council celebrated the championship spirit in area students and residents during its regular council session on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.

It started with recognition for the Oxford High School Yellow Jackets basketball team, who won the Class 6A boys state basketball championship with a 68-44 win over Cullman at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena on March 7, 2026. The Yellow Jackets (30-4) are the school’s first boys’ basketball state champions. Jalen Alexander was named tournament MVP and was joined by teammates Marcus Perry and Chris Latson on the all-star team. Coach Joel Van Meter also received state honors, being named Class 6A Coach of the Year by the Alabama Sports Writers Association.

The official city proclamation commended the team and coaches for demonstrating “exceptional determination, discipline, and teamwork throughout the 2025-2026 season” and for their historic achievement and “dedication, hard work, and championship spirit.”

The mayor and city council also joined in proclaiming March as “National Developmental Disabilities Month” with a special presentation to staff and students of the Arc of Calhoun and Cleburne Counties. The Arc’s mission is to help the estimated 7,900+ individuals with intellectual disabilities who reside in Calhoun and Cleburne Counties learn how to live, work, and play to the best of their ability through various support services. These services include support for families, advocacy, community resource development, training and recreation, Special Olympics, and educational programs.

The proclamation praised the local organization for “providing programs and support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in our community for more than 60 years” and encouraged all citizens to fully support those special individuals striving to live “full and productive lives of inclusion in our community.”

Special recognition was given to the 49 Oxford High School students who, through their interest in city government, campaigned and were elected by their fellow OHS students to become the “shadow student government” that will “take charge” during the annual Student Government Day set for Wednesday, April 8, 2026. The students will shadow those in the positions to which they were elected, tour city departments, and participate in a mock city council session and jury trial.