LEESBURG, Fl. – Julius Nelson scored 24 points, including four in overtime, to lead Southeast Christian to a 76-71 non-conference win over South Florida Bible on Saturday.
The Leesburg product had a breakout night as the Eagles improve to 4-4 on the season.
SECC is back in action on Saturday, November 23 facing Daytona Beach Christian.
Image courtesy Southeast Christian Athletics
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Apprentice rolled to an 88-77 win over Methodist University on Saturday, knocking off the NCAA Division 3 squad for the third straight year.
The Builders controlled the pace early, building a 43-31 lead by halftime thanks to efficient shooting, drilling 4 of 7 from three in the first half. AS pushed on in the second half, hitting 13 of 14 free throws and keeping the Monarchs at bay.
Junior guard Shamon Rosser starred for Apprentice, notching 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including a late surge in the first half that helped extend the lead. Fellow guard Devon Brown added 15 points and eight rebounds, while forward Wayne Hedgepath contributed 14 points and nine boards.
For Methodist, senior forward Dontavious Pettaway scored a team-high 17 on 6-of-8 shooting and grabbed five rebounds.
While Methodist trimmed the deficit to eight late in the second half, Apprentice responded quickly, using both the free-throw line and transition chances to maintain separation. The Builders scored 18 fast-break points, compared with only 12 for the Monarchs.
Apprentice defeated MU in each of the last two seasons and won five of the last seven against the Monarchs.
The Builders improve to 2-1 on the season while Methodist falls to 1-1.
NORTH MIAMI, Fl. — The Beacon College Blazers men’s basketball team showcased efficient offense and teamwork on Tuesday night, but ultimately fell 82–72 on the road to the University of Fort Lauderdale.
Despite the final margin, the Blazers displayed balance and composure throughout the contest, battling back from an early deficit and continuing to build momentum in their young season. Beacon shot an impressive 50% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc, moving the ball well to generate high-quality looks. Ernesto Hichez led the way with a dominant 21 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists, marking another double-double performance and proving to be a steady interior presence.
Tony Wade and Tre’von Redd each added 13 points, with Wade contributing six assists and Redd connecting on three three-pointers while matching Wade’s assist total. Javeon Wells-Reddick continued his consistent play inside, finishing with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and five blocks, a strong two-way effort that energized the Blazers throughout the second half. Noah Wilhelm chipped in eight points and five rebounds, while Sean James added a perfect 1-for-1 from the floor off the bench.
The Blazers’ offensive rhythm kept them within striking distance all night, but UFTL’s hot shooting from deep (70% from three-point range) proved difficult to overcome. Beacon trailed 44–31 at halftime yet fought to outscore the Eagles in stretches of the second half, narrowing the gap with efficient ball movement and interior defense.
While the result didn’t go Beacon’s way, the Blazers’ 22 assists on 27 made field goals highlighted their unselfish play and continued growth.
The Blazers will look to regroup and build on their strong offensive showing as they travel to
face Atlantis University on Saturday, November 15th, in an NSAC matchup.
Story and image courtesy Beacon Athletics
LEESBURG, Fl. – New South Athletic Conference newcomer URBE University has gotten off to a fast start, getting two wins in its first two conference games to stand alone in the standings just a week into the season.
The URBE Tigers and Beacon College Blazers opened the season in unforgettable fashion at the NSAC Tip-Off Classic last Friday night, battling through a marathon 114–109 four-overtime showdown. Beacon displayed relentless determination, answering every URBE surge with clutch baskets down the stretch. Tre’von Redd led the charge early, tallying 28 points and hitting the game-tying shot at the end of regulation to send the contest into overtime.
In the first extra period, Javeon Wells-Reddick came up big, sinking a late bucket to tie the game once more and keep the Blazers’ hopes alive. As the battle wore on, Noah Wilhelm added to the drama with a fadeaway buzzer-beater at the end of the third overtime, forcing a fourth and final frame. Wilhelm finished with a strong 20-point performance, earning roars from the home crowd with his clutch shot-making.
But it was Tiger freshman Luis Carias who proved to be the workhorse of the night, slicing his way to 46 points to lead all scorers and his team to its first varsity victory in school history. Ernesto Hichez led all Beacon scorers with a stellar 32 points.
Then on Tuesday, Carias again led the URBE charge, scoring 21 points in a 65-48 road win over Southeast Christian.
Both teams were slow out of the gate, but the Tigers began to gain traction approaching the midpoint of the first half, jumping out to a 21-2 lead with just over eight minutes to play before halftime. It was then that the Eagles began to execute, reeling off 13 unanswered points to cut the lead to six, 21-15, with 3:58 remaining. URBE headed into intermission with a 31-21 lead.
But the second half resumed the Tigers’ torrid pace as they extended their lead to as many as 22, 47-25, with 12:53 to play. Once again, Southeast chipped away, trimming the deficit to nine with 3:12 to go, but could get no closer.
With the win, URBE improves to 2-0 and first place in conference play while SECC falls to 1-1 and 0-1 in conference play.
Thanks to Beacon College Athletics for their help with this story.
ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – The Mid-Atlantic Christian University men’s basketball stampeded through the Central International College Cardinals in the Mustangs’ home opener, 111-53, on Tuesday night. The Mustangs built a 30-point lead at halftime and carried that momentum into the second half. All players scored during the action and played significant minutes.
The Mustangs were led in scoring by Janai WIlliams and Quintes Yarbrough with 12 points each. Tyus Williams and Andre Bowles followed closely with 10 points. Keondre Rodges led the team in rebounding with nine and Latrell Thompson added in six.
Coach Sims commented, “Today’s home opener win was what the team needed. Everyone was fixed and focused on their roles and the game plan. We had the opportunity to play several reserve players and their contribution was good. We still have work to do as we continue to get better.”
MACU will play next on Saturday, November 2nd in an NSAC matchup against South Carolina Central Christian College.
Story courtesy of MACU Athletics
For the third straight year, Apprentice is the choice of the league’s coaches to come out on top in the NSAC men’s basketball standings in 2025-26.
The Builders, fresh off back-to-back USCAA national championships, received all but one possible first place vote in a poll of New South basketball coaches. Second-year coach Michael Gainey returns five players from last year’s team including All-American Donovan Means.
Lighthouse Christian, the defending conference champion, returns two-time conference MVP Eddie Brown and was voted to finish second. Mid-Atlantic Christian was selected third and received the other first-place vote. Atlantis and Beacon round out the top five.
2025-26 NSAC Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll:
Image courtesy Katelyn Olson/@shotsbyk8lyn
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech men’s basketball hosts South Carolina Central Christian for an exhibition game at The Eblen Center at 6 p.m. Central time on Tuesday, Oct. 21.
Head Coach John Pelphrey and the Golden Eagles show off the new and returning members of the roster to begin the year.
Tech men’s basketball returns JaJuan Nicholls, Mekhi Cameron, Grant Slatten from the 2024-25 squad, and has added Malik Ferguson, Jah’Kim Payne, Mekhi Turner, Ja’Quavian Florence, Brandon Muntu, Ty Owens, Dani Pounds, C.J. McPherson, and Owen Varnado as experienced transfers to the roster.
Cameron and Nicholls are the top returning scorers for the Golden Eagles with Cameron averaging 8.7 points per game and Nicholls appeared in 23 games with 15 starts, shooting 85-143 from the field (59.4%), 25-51 (49.0%), and totaled 195 points during the 2024-25 season. He averaged 18.4 points per 40 minutes played and 18.4 minutes per game. Nicholls grabbed 95 total rebounds with 35 offensive and 60 defensive boards. Both players were named players to watch by the OVC prior to Media Day.
Colin Ayers, Maguire Evans, Jacobe Whitted, Hagan Preston are additions out of the high school ranks to the 2025-26 roster.
South Carolina Central Christian makes its way to Cookeville out of the New South Athletic Conference. The Gladiators are led by Travis Stroud with 14.0 points per game, Taivon McPherson who averaged 14.0 points per game and grabbed 9.3 rebounds per contest, Daquan Ramey, who averaged 12.0 points per game, and Kevin Butler with 9.7 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per contest.
Story and image courtesy Tennessee Tech Athletics Media Relations
SANTA RITA DO SUPACAI, BRAZIL – Sam Benton, Jr. scored 22 points and grabbed four rebounds in leading a team of New South Athletic Conference men’s basketball all-stars to a 70-59 win over CETAF in the prestigious Sula Basquete South American Cup championship game.
The team trailed at halftime 38-35, only the second time they had fallen behind in the weeklong event, but turned up the defensive intensity in the second half, holding a talented CETAF squad to 21 points.
The All-Stars won their three round-robin games by an average of 33 points before facing stiffer competition in the knockout rounds.
“The guys played like DAWGS!” said proud head coach Vando Becheli, who initiated and led the team in his home country.
“This is such a proud moment for our conference,” said commissioner Mike Davis. “These young men sacrificed to get there and compete, and they did so with poise and honor. I’m proud of every one of them, as well as for Coach Vando and Coach Frankie Hernandez. For them to have this moment is what the NSAC is all about.”
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!!!”
SANTA RITA DO SAPUCAI, BRAZIL – A team made up entirely of New South Athletic Conference upperclassmen basketball players is preparing to represent the conference in the prestigious Copa Sul-Americana de Basquete (South American Basketball Cup) Tournament in Brazil.
Led by defending NSAC champion coach Vando Becheli and assisted by Atlantis University head coach Francisco Hernandez, ten of the league’s finest will suit up for a series of games against some of Brazil’s top pro teams, followed by the South American Cup (SULA 25) tournament.
“This is an exciting event for these young men and for our conference,” said NSAC commissioner Mike Davis. “Many leagues for much larger schools would never have an opportunity like this. I want to than Vando for his leadership in arranging this trip. I also want to thank Brazilian athletic uniform manufacturer Overtime, our sponsor, for making this possible, and a big shout out to everyone who assisted these student-athletes.”
The team will assemble early next week in Brazil to begin the gauntlet run with games planned for most every day through the tournament championship on July 27. The games will be streamed live. Links will be provided here and via NSAC social media outlets.
2025 New South Athletic Conference All-Star Team
Graphic by WildCard Entertainment
