URBE Takes Early Lead in NSAC Standings

LEESBURG, Fl. – New South Athletic Conference newcomer URBE University has gotten off to a fast start, getting two wins in its first two conference games to stand alone in the standings just a week into the season.

The URBE Tigers and Beacon College Blazers opened the season in unforgettable fashion at the NSAC Tip-Off Classic last Friday night, battling through a marathon 114–109 four-overtime showdown. Beacon displayed relentless determination, answering every URBE surge with clutch baskets down the stretch. Tre’von Redd led the charge early, tallying 28 points and hitting the game-tying shot at the end of regulation to send the contest into overtime.

In the first extra period, Javeon Wells-Reddick came up big, sinking a late bucket to tie the game once more and keep the Blazers’ hopes alive. As the battle wore on, Noah Wilhelm added to the drama with a fadeaway buzzer-beater at the end of the third overtime, forcing a fourth and final frame. Wilhelm finished with a strong 20-point performance, earning roars from the home crowd with his clutch shot-making.

But it was Tiger freshman Luis Carias who proved to be the workhorse of the night, slicing his way to 46 points to lead all scorers and his team to its first varsity victory in school history. Ernesto Hichez led all Beacon scorers with a stellar 32 points.

Then on Tuesday, Carias again led the URBE charge, scoring 21 points in a 65-48 road win over Southeast Christian.

Both teams were slow out of the gate, but the Tigers began to gain traction approaching the midpoint of the first half, jumping out to a 21-2 lead with just over eight minutes to play before halftime. It was then that the Eagles began to execute, reeling off 13 unanswered points to cut the lead to six, 21-15, with 3:58 remaining. URBE headed into intermission with a 31-21 lead.

But the second half resumed the Tigers’ torrid pace as they extended their lead to as many as 22, 47-25, with 12:53 to play. Once again, Southeast chipped away, trimming the deficit to nine with 3:12 to go, but could get no closer.

With the win, URBE improves to 2-0 and first place in conference play while SECC falls to 1-1 and 0-1 in conference play.

Thanks to Beacon College Athletics for their help with this story.

Mustangs Win Home Opener 111-53

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – The Mid-Atlantic Christian University men’s basketball stampeded through the Central International College Cardinals in the Mustangs’ home opener, 111-53, on Tuesday night. The Mustangs built a 30-point lead at halftime and carried that momentum into the second half. All players scored during the action and played significant minutes.

The Mustangs were led in scoring by Janai WIlliams and Quintes Yarbrough with 12 points each. Tyus Williams and Andre Bowles followed closely with 10 points. Keondre Rodges led the team in rebounding with nine and Latrell Thompson added in six.

Coach Sims commented, “Today’s home opener win was what the team needed. Everyone was fixed and focused on their roles and the game plan. We had the opportunity to play several reserve players and their contribution was good. We still have work to do as we continue to get better.”

MACU will play next on Saturday, November 2nd in an NSAC matchup against South Carolina Central Christian College.

Story courtesy of MACU Athletics

Apprentice Tops Coaches Poll for Third Straight Year

For the third straight year, Apprentice is the choice of the league’s coaches to come out on top in the NSAC men’s basketball standings in 2025-26.

The Builders, fresh off back-to-back USCAA national championships, received all but one possible first place vote in a poll of New South basketball coaches. Second-year coach Michael Gainey returns five players from last year’s team including All-American Donovan Means.

Lighthouse Christian, the defending conference champion, returns two-time conference MVP Eddie Brown and was voted to finish second. Mid-Atlantic Christian was selected third and received the other first-place vote. Atlantis and Beacon round out the top five.

2025-26 NSAC Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll:

  1. Apprentice (78 votes) (Seven first place votes)
  2. Lighthouse Christian (64)
  3. Mid-Atlantic Christian (57) (1)
  4. Atlantis (51)
  5. Beacon (43)
  6. Barber-Scotia (38)
  7. SC Central Christian (29)
  8. Southeast Christian (26)
  9. Millennia Atlantic (23)
  10. Westgate Christian (17)
  11. URBE University (14)

Image courtesy Katelyn Olson/@shotsbyk8lyn

SC Central Visiting Tennessee Tech Tonight

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech men’s basketball hosts South Carolina Central Christian for an exhibition game at The Eblen Center at 6 p.m. Central time on Tuesday, Oct. 21.

Head Coach John Pelphrey and the Golden Eagles show off the new and returning members of the roster to begin the year.

Tech men’s basketball returns JaJuan Nicholls, Mekhi Cameron, Grant Slatten from the 2024-25 squad, and has added Malik Ferguson, Jah’Kim Payne, Mekhi Turner, Ja’Quavian Florence, Brandon Muntu, Ty Owens, Dani Pounds, C.J. McPherson, and Owen Varnado as experienced transfers to the roster.

Cameron and Nicholls are the top returning scorers for the Golden Eagles with Cameron averaging 8.7 points per game and Nicholls appeared in 23 games with 15 starts, shooting 85-143 from the field (59.4%), 25-51 (49.0%), and totaled 195 points during the 2024-25 season. He averaged 18.4 points per 40 minutes played and 18.4 minutes per game. Nicholls grabbed 95 total rebounds with 35 offensive and 60 defensive boards. Both players were named players to watch by the OVC prior to Media Day.

Colin Ayers, Maguire Evans, Jacobe Whitted, Hagan Preston are additions out of the high school ranks to the 2025-26 roster.

South Carolina Central Christian makes its way to Cookeville out of the New South Athletic Conference. The Gladiators are led by Travis Stroud with 14.0 points per game, Taivon McPherson who averaged 14.0 points per game and grabbed 9.3 rebounds per contest, Daquan Ramey, who averaged 12.0 points per game, and Kevin Butler with 9.7 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per contest.

Story and image courtesy Tennessee Tech Athletics Media Relations

NSAC All-Stars Claim South American Cup Championship

SANTA RITA DO SUPACAI, BRAZIL – Sam Benton, Jr. scored 22 points and grabbed four rebounds in leading a team of New South Athletic Conference men’s basketball all-stars to a 70-59 win over CETAF in the prestigious Sula Basquete South American Cup championship game.

The team trailed at halftime 38-35, only the second time they had fallen behind in the weeklong event, but turned up the defensive intensity in the second half, holding a talented CETAF squad to 21 points.

The All-Stars won their three round-robin games by an average of 33 points before facing stiffer competition in the knockout rounds.

“The guys played like DAWGS!” said proud head coach Vando Becheli, who initiated and led the team in his home country.

“This is such a proud moment for our conference,” said commissioner Mike Davis. “These young men sacrificed to get there and compete, and they did so with poise and honor. I’m proud of every one of them, as well as for Coach Vando and Coach Frankie Hernandez. For them to have this moment is what the NSAC is all about.”

Sims Adds Two Coaches to MACU Staff

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – Mid-Atlantic Christian men’s head basketball coach Charles Sims is welcoming two new coaches for the 2025-26 season.

Courtni Clay has been named MACU Master Resilience Coach. With over 15 years of experience in HR leadership, mindset coaching, resilience training, and personal development, Coach Courtni Clay blends science, strategy, and storytelling to create powerful, lasting breakthroughs. As a U.S. Army Officer and certified Master Resilience Trainer, Coach Courtni will bring a unique combination of discipline, empathy, and real-world insight.

“Coach Courtni will focus on building mental toughness and strengthening character through the development of specific resilience skills, said Sims, who served with Clay in the U.S. Army. “These skills will enable each player to better adapt to stress and adversity during the long season preventing issues like depression and anxiety. By developing these mental skills, all players can enhance their performance, cope with the demands of the game, and ultimately achieve greater success.”

Coach Court attended the University of Phoenix where she received a Masters in Human Services and Management and she also attended Ashford University where she received her Masters in Organizational Management and Human Resources.

Coach Thomas Bentley will be joining the Mustangs for the 2025-26 season as Player Development Coach. He grew up close to MACU in Portsmouth, Virginia and attended Stonebridge School. Thomas played his collegiate career at Regent University before going on to Liberty University as a manager. He spent two seasons as a manager and one as a volunteer under head coach Ritchie McKay.

“Thomas brings experience with him from winning programs, and a passion for helping players grow that we are excited to have join the staff,” said Sims. Thomas holds a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science: Strength and Conditioning.

“There’s more that’s ahead for us this season as we have unfinished business to attend to that was left in Buffalo,” added Sims, recalling the Mustangs’ first round loss in the USCAA Nationals in March. “Looking forward to another great season of success. Let’s go MACU!!!”

Conference All-Stars Prepare for SULA Tournament

SANTA RITA DO SAPUCAI, BRAZIL – A team made up entirely of New South Athletic Conference upperclassmen basketball players is preparing to represent the conference in the prestigious Copa Sul-Americana de Basquete (South American Basketball Cup) Tournament in Brazil.

Led by defending NSAC champion coach Vando Becheli and assisted by Atlantis University head coach Francisco Hernandez, ten of the league’s finest will suit up for a series of games against some of Brazil’s top pro teams, followed by the South American Cup (SULA 25) tournament.

“This is an exciting event for these young men and for our conference,” said NSAC commissioner Mike Davis. “Many leagues for much larger schools would never have an opportunity like this. I want to than Vando for his leadership in arranging this trip. I also want to thank Brazilian athletic uniform manufacturer Overtime, our sponsor, for making this possible, and a big shout out to everyone who assisted these student-athletes.”

The team will assemble early next week in Brazil to begin the gauntlet run with games planned for most every day through the tournament championship on July 27. The games will be streamed live. Links will be provided here and via NSAC social media outlets.

2025 New South Athletic Conference All-Star Team

  • Ethan Barnes, Atlantis
  • Sam Benton, Jr., Lighthouse Christian
  • Tyler Camplin, John Melvin Christian (FL)
  • Jared Carter, Beacon
  • Santiago Insaurralde, Atlantis
  • Darion Ramos, John Melvin Christian (FL)
  • Jose Rosario, Atlantis
  • Folayemi Salako, Atlantis
  • Adrion Wall, Apprentice
  • Karlton Walton, Southeast Christian
  • Vando Becheli (Head Coach)
  • Fransisco Hernandez, Atlantis (Assistant Coach)

Graphic by WildCard Entertainment

Apprentice Defense Stifles Villa Maria for Second Consecutive National Title

BUFFALO, N.Y. – For the fourth time in program history, The Apprentice School men’s basketball team hoisted a national championship trophy after knocking off No. 3 Villa Maria Friday night 64-43.

The Builders held the Vikings to just eight points in the first half as they stormed out to a 33-8 halftime lead in front of the home crowd. The eight point half is the lowest ever in a title game, surpassing the previous mark set in since 2014 when Washington Adventist held Tennessee Temple to just 17 points in a half.

The Vikings put forth a fight to start the second half, going on an 8-0 run to cut the lead down to 33-16, but Apprentice never backed down, keeping Villa at bay all night and winning by the second largest margin in a title game since 2008.

With the win, the senior class of nine players will go out with back-to-back national championships, finishing their careers on top of the mountain of the USCAA.

Chris Hinmon was named to the All-Tournament team after leading all scorers Friday with 16 points off the bench. Donovan Means also earned All-Tournament honors with a double-double of 10 points and 10 boards in the championship game.

Adrion Wall was named Tournament MVP just days after being named the Division I Player of the Year. He finished Friday night with 14 points. Wayne Hedgepeth also had 14 points.

Head coach Michael Gainey becomes the first basketball alum to lead the Builders to a national championship, doing so in his first season at the helm.

This is the second time in program history that the Builders have gone back-to-back, winning their first two national championships in the 2001-02 and 02-03 seasons.

Story courtesy Apprentice Athletics; image courtesy Santino Tarquino/USCAA

Apprentice Cruises, MACU falls in National Quarterfinals

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The fourth-seeded Apprentice School men’s basketball team put up big numbers in the second half to advance to the USCAA semifinals with a 85-61 win over No. 5 Southeastern Illinois Tuesday night at Burt Flickinger Arena. Meanwhile, sixth-seed Mid-Atlantic Christian lost a hard-fought battle with No. 3 Villa Maria 60-55, ending the Mustang’s first appearance in the national tournament.

With the win, the Builders will take on No. 8 Berkeley in the semifinals Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at Burt Flickinger Arena. The Knights knocked off top-seeded Bryant & Stratton-Syracuse, 81-68, in their quarterfinal.

Both teams came out firing in a back-and-forth affair, finding themselves tied up at 11-11 five minutes into the contest. The Builders tried to pull away, extending their lead to six, but the Falcons fought back to retake the lead at 23-20 with 6:54 to go in the first half. Apprentice answered with a 12-0 run to regain the advantage before SIC responded with five straight points to cut the lead back to 32-28. The Builders finished the half on a 6-2 run to take a 38-30 lead into intermission.

From there, the game was firmly in the hands of the defending national champs. After the start of the second half teetered around a 14 point lead for Apprentice, the Builders went on a 21-3 run to extend their lead to 70-40 midway through the second period. The Falcons never really caught any momentum from that point on as the Builders held the lead around the 20 point mark the remainder of the game to advance to the semifinals for a third consecutive season.

Adrion Wall, the Player of the Year for USCAA Division I, led all scorers with 19 points, coming up one rebound and three assists shy of a triple-double. He also added a block and two steals to his stat line without turning the ball over. Donovan Means added 13 points with seven boards while playing in foul trouble, and Wayne Hedgepeth came off the bench to add 12 points.

Story and image courtesy Apprentice Athletics

Apprentice, MACU Representing NSAC in Small College Tournament

BUFFALO, N.Y. – For the first time, the New South Athletic Conference has sent two teams to the USCAA Division I Small College National Tournament which begins tonight.

Apprentice, which received a fourth seed, will start its defense of the national championship against fifth-seeded Southeastern Illinois in the opening round Tuesday in Buffalo, New York. Apprentice is on the same side of the bracket as top-seeded Bryant & Stratton-Syracuse and eighth-seeded Berkeley.

Mid-Atlantic Christian is in the tournament for the first time in program history. The sixth-seeded Mustangs will take on No. 3 Villa Maria. Last year’s runner-up Lyon claimed the No. 2 seed and will take on seventh-seeded Bryant & Stratton-Buffalo. The Bobcats are co-hosting the event with Villa Maria. round.

Live video will be made available for every game of the tournament courtesy of the USCAA Sports Network on a pay-per-view basis. Live stats will also be available for every game.

Story courtesy Walker McCrary/Apprentice Athletics