Category: Lighthouse

Atlantis, Beacon Survive and Advance

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Atlantis University pulled away in the second half to beat South Carolina Central 74-58 Friday afternoon in the first quarterfinal game of the 2026 NSAC Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Artem Sorokin scored 21 points and knocked down five 3-pointers to lead Atlantis, which outscored South Carolina Central 43-29 after halftime. Ornie Brooks added 15 points and five assists, while Folayemi Salako posted 12 points and 13 rebounds. The 3rd-seeded Atlanteans shot 46.4% in the second half and went 9 of 20 from beyond the arc for the game.

Nazir Sample led 7th-seed S4C with 15 points, while Tyrek Dawson and David Lias each scored 11. The Gladiators struggled at the foul line, hitting just 3 of 11 free throws.

In the second game of the afternoon, 4th-seed Beacon College came from 22 points down to beat 5th-seed Lighthouse in overtime, 97-93.

Ernesto Hichez finished with 32 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Blazers, which erased a 13-point halftime deficit. Tony Wade added 23 points, knocking down five 3-pointers, and Noah Wilhelm scored 17, including the go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:09 left in overtime, as Beacon shot 52.5% in the second half and 44.4% from beyond the arc for the game.

Lighthouse led 48-35 at the break and had four players score in double figures, led by Eddie Brown’s 26 points and 12 rebounds. JB Wiltz added 25 points, while Brent Royal Jr. chipped in 12. Marcus White grabbed 15 rebounds for the visitors.

URBE and Beacon face off for the third time this season in the tournament semifinals Saturday at 7:30 pm.

Lighthouse Overwhelms Westgate 98–73 with Dominant First Half

HOUSTON — Lighthouse Christian College exploded for 50 first-half points and never looked back, rolling to a 98–73 New South conference win over Westgate Christian University on Saturday afternoon.

Lighthouse (8-1 overall, 1-0 NSAC) used suffocating defense and overwhelming rebounding to build a 27-point halftime lead. The Makos controlled the glass 61–53 and forced 19 turnovers while giving the Ravens few second-chance opportunities.

Senior guard Eddie Brown led Lighthouse with 16 points, hitting seven of 17 shots and adding six assists. Brent Royal added 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including three 3-pointers, and Brandon Royal also scored 15 while grabbing seven rebounds. Marcus White posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Lighthouse closed the game with 22 assists and 16 steals, turning defensive pressure into transition scoring to seal the road victory.

Westgate (2-8, 0-4) found more rhythm after the break, scoring 50 second-half points, but the early deficit proved too steep. The Ravens shot just 31 of 94 (32.9 %) from the field and 5 of 33 (15.1 %) from beyond the arc.

Lighthouse Avenges Earlier Loss to MDCC 89-79

MILTON, Fl. – Lighthouse Christian used a dominant second half to pull away from Mississippi Delta for an 89–79 win Saturday.

Mako guard Eddie Brown, recovering from a cold, led all scorers with 29 points on 9-of-16 shooting and added six rebounds and eight assists in a standout all-around effort. JB Wiltz added 15 points and five rebounds, while Brent Royal chipped in 11 points as Lighthouse hit nine 3-pointers and shot 32 of 71 from the field.

After trailing 41–35 at the break, the Makos erupted in the second half, outscoring MDCC 54–38 behind improved perimeter shooting and a 15-for-22 performance at the free-throw line. Lighthouse also forced 17 turnovers, turning several into transition buckets.

Mississippi Delta, which shot 33-of-82 and finished with a 46–37 rebounding edge, couldn’t match Lighthouse’s late efficiency from the arc and at the foul line.

Lighthouse (7-1) suffered its only loss of the season 81-76 to MDCC at Moorhead, Mississippi on November 10. LCC has never lost on its home floor in the program’s four-year history (37-0).

The Makos are now off until they open NSAC play at Westgate Christian in Houston, Texas on December 6.

Image courtesy Lighthouse Athletics

Lighthouse Claims First NSAC Tourney Championship

MILTON, Fla. – Daniel Poole scored 22 points, 18 in the second half, as Lighthouse Christian pulled away for an 87-76 win over Mid-Atlantic Christian in the 2025 NSAC Men’s Basketball Championship Sunday afternoon.

MACU led the entire first half, by as many as 11 points, before Lighthouse closed the gap to 42-38 at halftime. But the second half belonged to the Makos, who took their first lead, 47-46, just over two minutes into the final stanza, a lead they would not relinquish.

Sam Benton, Jr. and Eddie Brown each added 17 for Lighthouse, followed by Wol Yak with 10.

Stewart Clough led the Mustangs with 19 points. Keith Shakes, Jr. chalked 14 points and 12 boards before picking up his fifth foul with a little more than seven minutes to play. Janus Shephard and Ty Williams also scored 14 apiece.

The championship ends the season for Lighthouse, a national independent, but Mid-Atlantic now awaits its fate in Monday’s USCAA National Championship Bid Show.

Lighthouse Advances to Title Game with 82-68 Win over Apprentice

MILTON, Fla. – Top-seed Lighthouse Christian downed 4th-seed Apprentice Saturday afternoon in the New South Athletic Conference semifinals 82-68.

The Builders jumped out to a 15-3 lead in the first 5:30 of the contest, but the Makos answered by holding Apprentice to just three points over the next eight minutes to claw back into the game. The game went back-and-forth throughout the remainder of the first half with Lighthouse holding a narrow 33-32 lead at the break.

The game continued to flip back and forth through much of the second half, but a 9-0 run for the Makos just past the 10:00 mark of the second half put the game in the home team’s hands as they ultimately held on for the win.

Sam Benton, Jr. led the Makos with 22 points. Adrion Wall led Apprentice with 22 points, while Donovan Means notched a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Lighthouse advances to the NSAC Championship game for the second consecutive year. The Makos face Mid-Atlantic Christian Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Eastern/2:00 pm Central. The game will be streamed live on the JMU Mohawks Sports Network.

The Builders will now await their selection into the USCAA National Tournament to take place starting March 11 in Buffalo, New York. The bid show is set for Monday afternoon at 12:40 p.m. Eastern time on the USCAA Sports Network.

Thanks to Walker McCrary/Apprentice Athletics for this story.

Seeds Hold in Quarterfinals, Semis Set for Today

MILTON, Fla. – The top four seeds in the 2025 NSAC Men’s Basketball Tournament held serve on Friday, leading to what promises to be an exciting pair of games today.

In Friday’s first matchup, 3rd-seed John Melvin (FL) held off 6th-seeded Atlantis 67-64. The Atlanteans had the ball with under five seconds to play but could not connect on a shot to tie.

Second-seed Mid-Atlantic Christian kept upset-minded Beacon at bay 88-83.

Apprentice, the 4th seed, cruised to a 102-71 victory over SC Central Christian in the day’s third game. The Builders set a new program record for rebounds in a game, pulling down 74.

In the nightcap, top-seeded Lighthouse Christian struggled with upstart Southeast Christian, the 9th seed, for most of the first half before pulling away for a 93-66 win.

That sets up Saturday’s bracket as the Mustangs and Mohawks will meet at 2:00 pm Eastern/1:00 pm Central, followed by the Makos and Builders in a rematch of last year’s championship. That game is set to tip off at 4:00 pm Eastern/3:00 pm Central. The winners will advance to meet for the title Sunday at 3:00 pm Eastern/2:00 pm Central time.

All games are being streamed live at Channel One – JMU-Mohawks

Men’s Basketball All-Academic Team Recognized

The New South Athletic Conference is proud to honor the 2025 Men’s Basketball All-Academic Team, comprised off all players who are carrying a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a four-point scale.

“At the small college level, more than any other college level, academic progress and excellence are still cornerstones of athletic success.” said NSAC commissioner Mike Davis. “That’s why I take special interest in honoring these 53 young men who lead the way in a well-rounded college experience.”

The Apprentice School

  • Clifton Goode
  • Wayne Hedgepeth
  • Chris Hinmon
  • Montrell Jackson
  • Donovan Means

Atlantis University

  • Santiago Inssuarlde
  • Jose Rosario
  • Jatez Ward
  • Artem Sorokin
  • Samuel Jiménez

Beacon College

  • Jovan Bell
  • Jared Carter
  • Bryce Contreras
  • Ernesto Hichez
  • Michael Turner
  • Jordique Vincent
  • Cooper White

John Melvin Christian College (FL)

  • Elijah Berger
  • Dayne Bordelon
  • Arnez Bryant 
  • Tyler Camplin
  • Korey Catchings
  • Tyvin Garrison
  • Nick Gikas
  • Evan Griffin
  • Jaedon Sisk
  • Joshua Steen
  • Javier Valerezo

John Melvin University (LA)

  • Richard Casler
  • Tayshaun Columb
  • Kaimauri Hodges
  • Landen Istre
  • Kyle Roach
  • Nate Smith
  • Deonne Williams

Lighthouse Christian College

  • Michael Ribeiro
  • Akok Shan

Mid-Atlantic Christian University

  • Arius Alston
  • Stewart Clough
  • Elijah Dias
  • Jake Harper
  • Uriah Logan
  • Kaylon Sampson
  • Janus Shepherd
  • Janai Williams
  • Terrance Williams
  • Tyus Williams

South Carolina Central Christian College

  • Kevin Butler
  • Tavion McPherson
  • Henoch Mukendi
  • Cedric Shelby
  • Travis Stroud

Southeast Christian College

  • Calvin Harrigan
  • Lawrence Ruffins III
  • Jordan Stevenson
  • Jaden Victor
  • Marvin Windom

Photo by LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash

Seedings, Bracket Set for 2025 Tournament

MILTON, Fl. – With the final conference games of the season in the books, the seedings have been finalized for the 2025 New South Athletic Conference men’s basketball tournament beginning this Thursday outside of Pensacola, Florida.

Lighthouse enters the tournament as the top seed for the second consecutive season, this time sporting a perfect 13-0 conference record. The Makos are also the hosts for the event.

Action begins Thursday at 6:00 pm Central time when 8th-seed John Melvin (LA) faces Southeast Christian, the 9th seed. The winner of that game goes on the meet Lighthouse Friday at 7:00 pm Central.

The championship game will tip off Sunday at 2:00 pm Central.

All games will take place at the Lighthouse Gym, 8604 Bobby Brown Road, Milton, Florida, and will be streamed live on the JMU Mohawks Sports Network.

Lighthouse Overpowers JMCC to Clinch NSAC Top Seed

MILTON, Fl. – Lighthouse Christian got a combined 71 points from Eddie Brown and Wol Yak to down John Melvin (FL) 114-105 Thursday night and clinch the top seed in the NSAC men’s basketball tournament for the second consecutive year.

Yak led all scorers with 36 points, 25 of them coming in the second half. Brown followed with 35 points. Darion Ramos led the Mohawks with 27.

With the win, Lighthouse (23-2 overall, 12-0 NSAC) locks up the top spot for next week’s tournament, which it will host.

The loss drops JMCC (22-4, 10-2) to third, but several games between now and Monday will impact the standings between seeds 2-4.

JMCC and Lighthouse will meet again on Monday, February 24.

Image courtesy Lighthouse Athletics

Beacon Forfeits Four Games Due to Ineligible Player

The USCAA has informed Beacon College that it must forfeit four men’s basketball games, including wins over Lighthouse and John Melvin (LA), due to the use of an ineligible player.

The games included all three NSAC contests during the Leesburg Classic in January, plus a non-conference contest against Trinity College of Florida. Beacon had recorded wins in three of the four games.

“We affirm the importance of upholding the integrity of intercollegiate competition and appreciate the guidance of the USCAA in ensuring compliance with its regulations,” Beacon president Dr. George Hagerty stated in an email to the effected schools and the NSAC.

“We appreciate Beacon’s commitment to fairness and sportsmanship,” said NSAC commissioner Mike Davis. “Their administration was forthcoming and open throughout the process, and that does not go unappreciated.”

The forfeits mean Beacon drops to 3-7 and 7th place in conference play. It also erases Lighthouse’s only conference loss, propelling the Makos atop the standings with a two-game series against second-place John Melvin (FL) taking place over the next five days to close out the regular season.