NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The Apprentice School men’s basketball team swept through the 2025 Great Ships Classic with a pair of wins this weekend, knocking off Berkeley Saturday before blowing past Tidewater CC Sunday.

In Saturday’s matchup with Berkeley, the Builders and Knights were in a defensive struggle in the first half as neither team gave up much. Berkeley led by as many as nine in the frame, but the Builders started to break through, snatching the momentum prior to halftime by taking a 29-27 lead into the break.

In the second half, Apprentice notched up the intensity on both ends, shooting 22-of-34 in the second 20 minutes while holding the Knights to just 14 out of 31 shots made in the half.

Four Builders were in double figures, led by Jahlil Hope’s 25. Devon Brown added 20, while Jabari Brackett and Wayne Hedgepeth had 13 and 11, respectively.

On Sunday, the Builder offense clicked from the get go as Apprentice led wire-to-wire. The Storm kept the game within 15 points until the flood gates opened in the middle of the second half when the Builders started raining in three pointers, hitting 50 percent from beyond the arc in the second stanza.

Again, four Builders finished in double figures, led by Shamon Rosser’s 15 points. Brown was a rebound shy of a double-double with 10 points and nine boards. Hope had 12, and Brackett had 10.

Apprentice will open up NSAC play Saturday on the road at South Carolina Central Christian.

Story courtesy Walker McCrary/Apprentice Athletics; Image courtesy Kaitlyn Olson @shotsbyk8lyn