Category: MACU

Conference Hoops Action Tips Wednesday Night

Central International and Mid-Atlantic Christian hook up in the first NSAC game of the season Wednesday night in the NSAC Tipoff Classic at Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

With CIC just making the move from Chester to Waverly, Virginia, Cardinals coach Wayne Johnson is taking a long-term approach to the contest. “We’re trying to make sure we build as the season progresses and stay focused and disciplined, and understand the big picture is later, not necessarily right now,” said Johnson. However, the Cards have tasted some early season success, already taking a pre-season tourney title and sporting a 3-1 record.

“We’re excited about this season,” said Mustangs coach Charles Sims. “CIC will be a good early season test for us in the NSAC.” MACU is coming off a 97-91 opening loss at Carolina University on Saturday and an exhibition loss at Liberty Monday night.

Gators Edge Mustangs 70-63, Advance to Sunday’s Championship

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Third seed Virginia Peninsula distanced itself late in the second half Saturday night to down 2nd seed Mid-Atlantic Christian 70-63 and put the Gators in a position to defend their NSAC crown on Sunday.

As throughout the season, the Gators (12-9) used a balanced attack, putting four players in double figures. Jhalen Harris, Keshaun Johnson, and Javion Majette poured in 16 points apiece while Mekhi Reid added 13. First-team All-Conference selection Majette clocked a double-double, adding 14 rebounds.

MACU’s (12-11) Talik Totten, himself an All-NSAC first teamer, scored 14 points, and Jalen Jones came off the bench to chip in 13.

VPCC, the 2022 conference champion, will now face rival Apprentice Sunday at 4:00 pm for the 2023 title.

Gators’ Win Finalizes MBB Playoff Picture

Virginia’s Peninsula’s 79-70 win over Mid-Atlantic Christian in the final regular season conference game of the year pushes the Gators into the third seed for next week’s NSAC Basketball Tournament.

Fourth-seed Blue Lights College and Carolina Christian, which tied Christendom for the 5th seed, will open the tournament Tuesday night in Apex, North Carolina in a quarterfinal game. VPCC will host Christendom Thursday night in the other opening round matchup in Newport News, Virginia. The two winners will advance to Saturday’s semifinals at the Apprentice Athletic Center, also in Newport News.

Thanks to Joe Dotson/Christendom Athletics for the bracket graphic

Gators Playing for Third Seed Today vs MACU

Today’s game featuring Mid-Atlantic Christian at Virginia Peninsula will be the 23rd and final New South Conference men’s basketball game of the season, and still there is something to play for besides pride.

The VPCC Gators enter the contest at 2-4 in NSAC play (9-9 overall) and holding down the 4th seed for next week’s conference tournament. A Gator win would propel them into the 3rd seed ahead of Blue Lights College. This would not have an impact on the quarterfinals, which are locked in, but it does impact the semifinal bracket.

If Peninsula gets past MACU and claims the third seed, then the winner of Thursday’s VPCC/Christendom quarterfinal will play #2 MACU, and Tuesday’s BLC/Carolina Christian winner will face top seed Apprentice in next Saturday’s tournament semifinals. If The Gators lose to the Mustangs today, then VPCC and Blue Lights will keep their 3rd and 2nd seeds, respectively.

Still confused? Check back after today’s game.

Today’s game tips at 2pm at Warwick High School in Newport News, Virginia.

Apprentice Wraps Up Undefeated NSAC Schedule

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – With a 72-56 win over Mid-Atlantic Christian Wednesday night, the Apprentice School men’s basketball team wrapped up their New South Athletic Conference schedule a perfect 11-0.

The Builders led wire-to-wire in the contest between the two top teams in the league, despite hitting just three three-pointers on the night. Apprentice led 35-26 at the break and held off each and every push the Mustangs had in the second half to extend the lead out to its final 16 point margin.

Wednesday had one of the more balanced scoring attacks the Builders have had all year with 10 different players contributing no more than 12 points on the night. Karree Smith led Apprentice with 12, followed by Avin Hawkins and CJ Highsmith with 10 each. The Builders were also +12 in the rebound column. Apprentice won the points in the paint battle, 48-20.

Story and image courtesy gobuilders.com

Tournament Implications Loom Large Tuesday Night

Tuesday’s Blue Lights home game against Virginia Peninsula Community College will play a major factor in determining first round matchups in the 2023 New South Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament.

After this weekend’s results, here are how things stand (NSAC W-L):

Apprentice 9-0*
Mid-Atlantic Christian 5-1*
Virginia Peninsula 2-3
Blue Lights 1-3
Christendom 0-3
Carolina Christian 0-6

*Clinched first round bye

Remaining NSAC games:
Apprentice: 2 (vs Christendom, vs MACU)
MACU: 3 (vs. CCC, at Apprentice, at VPCC)
VPCC: 2 (at BLC, vs MACU)
BLC: 1 (vs VPCC)
Christendom: 1 (at Apprentice)
Carolina Christian: 1 (at MACU)

Both Apprentice and MACU have clinched a bye into the semifinals.

A BLC win against Virginia Peninsula on Tuesday will lock up an opening round game for the Herd at Hope Community Church Arena, taking place during the week of February 21st. If the Gators win, it will clinch a home game for themselves as well as a guaranteed third place finish.

A Thoroughbreds loss – combined with a Christendom win at Apprentice – would secure the Crusaders a home playoff game, forcing BLC to play on the road.

The Thoroughbreds-Gators game tips off at 6:30pm EST, airing LIVE on the Thoroughbreds Sports Network on YouTube. Christendom-Apprentice tips off 30 minutes later at 7pm EST, also on YouTube.

The NSAC Basketball Tournament final four will be held February 25 and 26 in Newport News, Virginia.

Story and image courtesy Craig Green/BLC Media

MACU Blunts BLC Comeback, 87-81

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – It appeared Mid-Atlantic Christian had its game against Blue Lights College well in hand, leading by 16 late in the contest, but had to hang on to survive a Thoroughbreds push and win at home, 87-81 on Saturday afternoon.

With MACU holding an 81-65 lead with under five minutes in regulation, BLC launched a comeback attempt, scoring 16 of the game’s final 22 points, only to fall short.

“We played well,” said Mustangs head coach Charles Sims. “The plan today was just to have fun playing. As a team we needed this. With all the ups and downs of the season and the in-house situations that come with every team, this was an important victory.”

“We had self-inflicted wounds against a good team,” Thoroughbreds coach Nolan Adams explained. “We can’t survive that.”

Talik Totten led four Mustangs in double figures with 23 points. Two Thoroughbreds recorded double-doubles: Sam Benton, Jr. scored 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while Keyshawn Bryant had 20 and 14, respectively.

The win keeps MACU a step behind Apprentice in the NSAC standings at 5-1 and 10-8 overall. Blue Lights remains tied for third with Virginia Peninsula at 1-3 and 7-5.

MACU Toughs Out Win at Christendom, 80-69

FRONT ROYAL, Va. – Freshman forward Jalen Jones chalked 17 points to lead Mid-Atlantic Christian to 80-69 NSAC win at Christendom Saturday afternoon.

“It was the kind of game we expected with Christendom,” said MACU coach Charles Sims. “Our games have always been competitive and tight.”

The Mustangs led by three at halftime, 37-34, and were able to turn up the defensive intensity in the second half.

“Christendom never backs down, and they are disciplined, so we knew what to expect,” said Sims. “It was good to get this win on the road.”

The Crusaders were coming off another tight New South game just the night before, a 70-63 home loss to Apprentice.

MACU improved to 4-1 in league play and 9-7 overall, while the Crusaders moved to 0-3 and 5-8, respectively.

Mustangs Hang on for 80-70 Win at Regent

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Mid-Atlantic Christian survived a strong effort from Regent to pull out an 80-70 non-conference men’s basketball win Tuesday night.

The Mustangs fell behind by as many as 9 points in the first half, 25-16, before adjusting and taking 36-33 advantage into the break. But the Royals weren’t done either.

“At the start of the second half, we faced another bombardment from Regent and found ourselves down by 5,” said MACU coach Charles Sims. “Making our adjustments, we methodically got our rhythm and regained the lead and we never looked back.”

The Mustangs led by as many as 22 with 8:49 remaining in the game before settling for the final margin. They were led by Talik Totten’s 19 points and Jeremiah Dickerson’s 16. Regent’s Stanley Adjai had a double-double, 20 points and 10 rebounds.

Image courtesy regentroyals.com

Mustangs Hold Off Centurions, 84-72

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – Mid-Atlantic Christian shot 56.5 percent from the field in the second half today to hold off Carolina Christian 84-72 in New South men’s basketball.

The Mustangs (7-7 overall, 3-1 NSAC) led by 15 at the half, 42-27, but the Centurions kept is close with their fast-break in the second half. MACU used a balanced attack and got all players in the scoring column, led by Talik Totten’s 22 points.

“This was definitely a full team effort,” said MACU coach Charles Sims. “It was a times challenging due to the uptempo game play of Carolina Christian and that took us out of our style of playing. But we managed to overcome and get our rhythm to secure the victory.”

CCC (3-10 overall, 0-4 NSAC) leaned heavily on its star forward, junior Daishawn George, who recorded a double-double with 31 points and 13 boards.