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