Southeast Christian Names Walker as AD

LEESBURG, Fla. – Southeast Christian College has named Dwayne Walker as the school’s first athletic director effective immediately.

Walker served as the Eagles’ men’s basketball coach this season and will remain in that capacity as well.

“I’m so excited about what God has done here at SECC in year one,” Walker said. “I’m looking forward to pouring into our student athletes spiritually as well as guiding and assisting coaching staff as we show and point our student athletes to Jesus through athletics.”

Walker was the acting AD this first year and has already hired a mens’ soccer coach for 2025-26 and is currently searching for a women’s basketball coach and men’s JV basketball coach.

Image courtesy Southeast Christian College

Beacon College Welcomes Pat Burke as Head Men’s Basketball Coach and Director of Athletics 

LEESBURG, Fla. — Beacon College is thrilled to announce the appointment of Pat Burke, a distinguished former NBA player and community leader, as our new men’s head basketball coach and director of athletics, fitness, and recreation.

Burke brings extensive experience and a proven track record of success to the Leesburg school, the nation’s first accredited baccalaureate institution dedicated to educating students with learning and attention issues. His remarkable 12-year professional basketball career, which began with the Orlando Magic in 2002, saw him make history as the first Irish-born player in the National Basketball Association. His impressive career includes six championship titles across the NBA, FIBA leagues, and with Ireland’s senior men’s team.

“Pat brings a wealth of experience in education, mentorship, and athletics,” said Dana Manzo, vice president of student affairs. “Beyond his career in professional basketball, Pat has dedicated himself to mentoring and youth development. His passion for education, leadership, and community engagement makes him a fantastic addition to our team.”

Prior to joining Beacon, Burke founded HoopsLife, a youth development program focused on empowering children with leadership and life skills by emphasizing the impact of their choices. His commitment to mentorship aligns perfectly with Beacon’s mission to foster holistic student development.

Burke’s connection to Beacon College began a decade ago when he consulted with the college on the launch of a summer program for international students, culminating in a successful three-week program for Saudi students on Beacon’s campus in 2015.

“Pat’s prior contributions to our community and his proven ability to connect with and inspire young people are invaluable,” said Beacon President George Hagerty. “We are confident that his leadership will elevate our athletics program and provide our student-athletes with unparalleled opportunities for growth and success.”

Burke succeeds Sam Vincent, Beacon’s founding men’s basketball coach, who is leaving Beacon to pursue a position with the Basketball Africa League as reported by ESPN.  

Story and image courtesy Beacon College

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.

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.

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

Southeast Opens Tourney with Win over JMU 77-63

MILTON, Fla. – Naysean Rhome poured in 20 points and Marvin Windom had 6 blocks as Southeast Christian knocked off John Melvin (LA) 77-63 in the first round of the 2025 NSAC men’s basketball tournament Thursday night.

JMU led 37-32 after a back-and-forth first half, but the Eagles pulled away after intermission as Rhome came alive with 18 of his points and Windom swatting four of his six blocks in the second half. SECC outscored the Millers 45-26 in the second stanza for the win.

JMU’s Tayshaun Colomb led all scorers with 22 points.

Southeast advances to meet top-seed Lighthouse Christian in the quarterfinals Friday night.

JMCC’s Doss Named NSAC Coach of the Year

John Melvin Christian College (FL) coach Colin Doss has been named the 2025 New South Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.

At age 23, Doss is likely the youngest college head coach in the country, but he has not let “youth and inexperience” slow him down. In his first season, Colin has led the Mohawks to 23-5 regular season record, impressive for any team, but especially eye-opening for a program that did not exist 12 months ago.

JMCC leads USCAA Division 2 in multiple categories including points per game, offensive efficiency, and offensive rebounding margin. Doss’ Mohawks have recorded five wins against top 10 teams and finished the regular season third in the conference standings.

“Colin is ‘number one with a bullet,” said conference commissioner Mike Davis. “Clearly he knows how to build a program from scratch with limited resources and build it to win. But Colin is also a young man of character. My dealings with him have been nothing but pleasant. He always looks for the best in others and brings those around him up. He’s also a talented graphic artist who volunteered his services to the conference on several occasions. I’m proud to have Colin as part of the NSAC.”

Join us in congratulating Colin Doss as the NSAC Coach of the Year!

Brown Repeats as League MVP, Tops All-Conference Team

Lighthouse Christian College junior Eddie Brown is the overwhelming choice of NSAC coaches as the conference’s Most Valuable Player for the second season in a row.

Brown, the 2024 MVP, averaged more than 29 points per game this season, tops in the NSAC, as well as more than four assists in leading the Makos to their second regular season title and an undefeated conference record. He also was named Player of the Week a record five times during the season. Brown received all but one possible first-place vote (coaches cannot vote for their own players) with the others going to Beacon’s Jared Carter and Donovan Means of Apprentice.

Congratulations to Eddie and all members of the NSAC All-Conference Team!

FIRST TEAM

  • Eddie Brown, Lighthouse Christian (MVP) (Six first-place votes)
  • Tyler Camplin, John Melvin Christian College (FL)
  • Jared Carter, Beacon (1)
  • Tayshaun Colomb, John Melvin University (LA)
  • Santiago Insaurralde, Atlantis
  • Ernesto Hichez, Beacon
  • Donovan Means, Apprentice (1)
  • Darion Ramos, John Melvin Christian College (FL)
  • Adrion Wall, Apprentice

SECOND TEAM

  • Sam Benton, Jr., Lighthouse Christian
  • Tyvin Garrison, John Melvin Christian College (FL)
  • Naysean Rhome, Southeast Christian
  • Keith Shakes, Mid-Atlantic Christian
  • Tyus Williams, Mid-Atlantic Christian
  • Joshua Wyatt, John Melvin Christian College (FL)
  • Wol Yak, Lighthouse Christian

THIRD TEAM

  • Ethan Barnes, Atlantis
  • Kevin Butler, SC Central
  • Stewart Clough, Mid-Atlantic Christian
  • Omarion Green, SC Central
  • DaQuan Ramsey, SC Central
  • Jose Rosario, Atlantis
  • Cedric Shelby, SC Central
  • Janus Shepherd, Mid-Atlantic Christian
  • Karree Smith, Apprentice
  • Karlton Walton, Southeast Christian

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

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