Category: MACU

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!!!”

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

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.

MACU Outlasts JMCC 88-75 in NSAC Semis

MILTON, Fla. – Keith Shakes, Jr. scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, while Tyus Williams was right behind with 22 and 11 respectively, as 2nd-seed Mid-Atlantic Christian defeated 3rd-seed John Melvin (FL) 88-75 Saturday afternoon in the NSAC men’s basketball semifinals.

The Mustangs jumped out fast, running to a 46-30 halftime lead from which the Mohawks were never able to recover.

Josh Wyatt and Darion Ramos each carded 16 points to lead JMCC.

With the win, MACU advances to its first NSAC championship game since 2021 to face top-seed Lighthouse at 3:00 pm Eastern/2:00 pm Central time on Sunday. The game will be streamed live on the JMU Mohawks Sports Network.

Image courtesy MACU Athletics.

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.

Mustangs Knock Off Builders in OT 81-76

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Mid-Atlantic Christian forward Stewart Clough drained a 3-point shot at the buzzer to send the game into overtime, then teammate Keith Shakes, Jr. scored eight of the Mustangs’ 14 points in the bonus period to lead MACU to an 81-76 win over Apprentice Monday night.

The visitors jumped out to an 8-0 lead early before the Builders were able to get on the scoreboard. MACU (13-11 overall, 6-1 NSAC) led all but 1:47 of the first half to take a 28-26 lead into intermission.

Apprentice (14-5, 5-2) held most of the momentum out of the halftime break after Donovan Means hit a three right at the end of the first half, but the Mustangs never went away, answering every Builder run. AS led by as many as nine in the second half and led by three with eight seconds left when Clough hit a three from the left wing as time expired in regulation to force overtime, tied at 67-67.

In the extra period, MACU took the momentum and burst out to a 74-69 lead. Apprentice tied the game up moments later at 74-74 before a 7-2 run for MACU sealed the deal.

“We needed this,” said Mustangs coach Charles Sims. “This was a total team effort. All the players left it on the floor tonight. Their effort was incredible tonight. We stayed focused and achieved what we needed to accomplish. Our team free throws during the overtime was the difference.”

Shakes led the Herd with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Clough followed with 14 and eight, respectively. Keondre Rodgers and Tyus Williams had 11 points apiece.

The Builders were led by Donovan Means with 23 points.

Much like last week’s contest between the two rivals in Elizabeth City, this one saw nine ties and 10 lead changes. AS came out on top in the February 12 game, 74-66.

The game marked the first win ever by the Mustangs over the Builders in Newport News and ends a 10-game losing streak in the series.

With the win, MACU clinches finishing no lower than third in the NSAC standings with one conference game remaining against Central International next Monday, February 24. The Mustangs could move up to second if either John Melvin (FL) or Lighthouse sweep their two-game series to be played this week. Apprentice has locked up fourth place.

Thanks to Walker McCrary at Apprentice Athletics for his help with this story. Image courtesy MACU Athletics.

What We Know with One Week to Go

We have just one week (eight days actually, if you count today, but I digress) until the 2024-25 NSAC men’s basketball regular season comes to a close, thereby completing the seedings for the tournament, AND YET there are still questions to be answered! It’s been that kind of a ride. But here’s what we DO KNOW as of today:

  1. The top four spots are a crap shoot. John Melvin (FL) and Lighthouse are tied for first and are scheduled to play twice this week. Apprentice and MACU are tied for third with the Builders holding the tiebreaker, but these two teams will also play TONIGHT in Newport News, so that tiebreaker is a moot point. Suffice it to say, the three remaining games among these four will settle the order, with various combinations of wins and losses determining the top four seeds, but none of them can fall lower than fourth. So there.
  2. Beacon and SC Central are tied for fifth, but the Blazers’ conference schedule is complete while the Gladiators host Southeast Christian next Sunday. If S4C wins, it will claim fifth outright and Beacon will fall to sixth. Vice versa if Southeast wins. More on that in a moment.
  3. Atlantis is locked into seventh. Thus it has been decreed, thus it shall be.
  4. JMU (LA) is eighth, and Southeast is ninth, regardless if the Eagles win in South Carolina next weekend. Thus, the Millers and Eagles will face off in the lone first round game on Thursday, February 27 for the right to tackle the top seed the following day. Talk about incentive.

And there you have it. The picture at the top will start to clear a bit once tonight’s Battle in the Bay is over and attention turns to the first of two Pensacola Pileups. Gosh, this is fun.

Photo by Thomas T on Unsplash

MACU Drops Heartbreaker at SMC 85-84

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Spartanburg Methodist College senior guard Bryan Bayonne was fouled with :07 left and made one of two free throws to lead the Pioneers to an 85-84 win over Mid-Atlantic Christian on Saturday. 

The Pioneers (9-14) were led by Bayonee, who went on to score a game-high 28 (7 of 15 from the field) with four 3-pointers in the win. He also had seven steals and four assists to contribute to the winning efforts. Richard Rojas had a double double with 14 points and 10 rebounds and the third Pioneer in double figures was Tavarez Lacey, who had 10 points. 

The Mustangs (12-11) were paced by a 22-point game from Janus Shepherd. He was joined in double figures by Stewart Clough, who had 15, and Tyus Williams, who had 13 points and 10 rebounds. 

MACU forced a pair of SMC turnovers and managed to tie the game at 84 when Shepherd made a layup with :34 to go. Then, the Pioneers and head coach Blake Jackson, who was celebrating his birthday, called a timeout. 

The Pioneers put the ball in the hands of the senior from Baton Rouge, who drove to the basket with :07 left and was fouled by the Mustangs. After missing the first free throw, Bayonne made the second. The visitors had a last-second attempt, but a jumper by Shepherd came up short.  

Story courtesy gosmcpioneers.com; Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash