Two Big Conference Games Rescheduled

Two games with big implications for seeding in the NSAC tournament have been postponed.

Due to flu-like symptoms in both programs, the Apprentice School and Mid-Atlantic Christian University, along with the New South Athletic Conference, have agreed to postpone Wednesday night’s game to February 17. Tipoff will still be set for 7:30 p.m.

John Melvin (FL) and Lighthouse, who were also scheduled to meet Wednesday night, have agreed to reschedule due to travel conflicts with the Leesburg Classic, which ended Monday night. The date has yet to be set.

MACU currently sits atop the standings with a 4-0 conference record, while Apprentice is 3-1 and statistically in 4th behind John Melvin (FL) and Lighthouse, who are tied for 2nd at 7-1.

MACU Defeats Bluefield 73-71

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – Mid-Atlantic Christian got 26 points from freshman Elijah Dias and picked up a big non-conference win over Bluefield 73-71 Monday night.

The game had seven lead changes, seven ties, and neither team led by more than seven points.

“This was a big win for us today we were shorthanded with two of our starters out due to being sick,” said Mustangs coach Charles Sims. “I relied on our reserves to get this win today. Elijah Dias had an outstanding game. Bluefield is a NAIA opponent, so we needed to be ready. We had to work for this victory. Every player stepped up and accepted their responsibility which was critical to this game.”

Tyus Williams added 15 points and Keondre Rodgers came off the bench with 12 for the Mustangs (8-8 overall, 4-0 NSAC). MACU was without the service of key players Keith Shakes and Janus Shepherd who were out with illnesses.

Bluefield (5-13) was led by Elijah White with 15 points.

MACU is back in action Wednesday night in a major NSAC matchup at Apprentice.

Image courtesy MACU Athletics

SECC Gets First Conference Win 82-73 over JMU (LA)

LEESBURG, Fl. – Southeast Christian got 29 points from Nasean Rhome to pull away from John Melvin (LA) 82-73 and claim its first NSAC win Sunday night at the Leesburg Classic.

The 6’6″ sophomore scored 18 in the second half, which saw the Eagles (3-14 overall, 1-9 NSAC) lead by as many as 14 points. Jordan Stevens added 16, Keywon Lister and Karlton Walton each scored 11, and Carey Davis had 10.

Tayshaun Colomb lead the Millers (9-12, 1-8) with 21.

Image courtesy SECC Athletics

Beacon Outshines Lighthouse 69-66

LEESBURG, Fl. – Beacon College got 25 points from Jared Carter and 21 from Jordique Vincent in handing Lighthouse its first loss in conference play 69-66 Sunday night during day two action at the Leesburg Classic.

The Makos’ Eddie Brown hit a three-pointer with less than two seconds to play that would have tied the game but was called for a double-dribble before the shot.

“It was a gritty game,” said Blazers’ coach Sam Vincent, “and we fell behind late by four or six points, but fought our way back at the end.”

Beacon (8-9 overall, 5-2 NSAC) moves into fifth place in the conference standings while Lighthouse (16-3, 6-1) drops into a tie with John Melvin (FL) for second behind Mid-Atlantic Christian. The Makos and Mohawks are still scheduled to face each other twice, while the Mustangs travel to fourth-place Apprentice this Wednesday night, January 29.

Leesburg Classic Dates Moved Due to Gulf Snow

The NSAC Leesburg Classic, originally scheduled to begin this Friday, January 24, has been moved back one day due to the unprecedented snowstorm which has iced in much of the Gulf States and prohibiting travel. The games will now begin on Saturday, January 25 and run through Monday, January 27.

REVISED SCHEDULE

Leesburg Classic, Jan. 25-27, 2025

The Nest, Southeast Christian College, 10516 Treadway School Road, Leesburg Florida 34788

Saturday, 1/25

  • 4pm Atlantis vs Lighthouse
  • 6pm Southeast vs John Melvin (FL)
  • 8pm Beacon vs John Melvin (LA)

Sunday, 1/26

  • 2pm Atlantis vs John Melvin (FL)
  • 4pm Beacon vs Lighthouse
  • 6pm Southeast vs John Melvin (LA)

Monday, 1/27

  • 4pm Atlantis vs John Melvin (LA)
  • 6pm Beacon vs John Melvin (FL)
  • 8pm Southeast vs Lighthouse

Admissions for the Leesburg Classic:

Adults: $10 per day, Classic Pass (includes all 3 days) $25

Students: $5 per day, Classic Pass (includes all 3 days) $10

CashApp and cash accepted at the door

Wyatt Leads Mohawks to Three Wins, Named POW

John Melvin Christian (FL) picked up three wins coming off the Christmas break last week, led by the work of Joshua Wyatt. The 6’3″ junior guard averaged 14 ppg along with 12 rpg, shooting 18-32 from the field. Wyatt put up 17 points, grabbed 12 boards, dished out 5 assists, and snagged 6 steals against Florida Coastal on Friday. For his outstanding performance, Wyatt has been named the NSAC Player of the Week.

For the season Josh is averaging 16.3 ppg and 7.2 rpg while shooting 57% FG and 42.6% from deep.

Sam Benton, Jr. of Lighthouse and Keith Shakes, Jr. of MACU earned Honorable Mention.

Congrats to all three!

Mustangs Stymie Gladiators 94-68

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – Keith Shakes, Jr. and Janus Shepherd scored 21 points apiece to lead Mid-Atlantic Christian to a 94-68 NSAC win Saturday afternoon over South Carolina Central Christian.

The Mustangs (6-7 overall, 4-0 NSAC) opened the game in red-hot fashion jumping to a 28-4 margin before the Gladiators settled into their game. S4C (1-7, 1-2), missing four players out with COVID symptoms, cut the lead to 14, but could get no closer. MACU led by as many as 29 late before settling for the final margin.

Tyus Williams added 12 for the Herd while Terrence Williams and Elijah Dias each tallied 12.

Cedric Shelby led the Gladiators with 21 and Daquan Ramey added 18.

SC Central Takes Win from CIC for First Program Dub

RICHMOND, Va. – South Carolina Central Christian College got 23 points Kevin Butler Friday afternoon to claim its first men’s basketball win 83-76 over Central International.

The Gladiators (1-6 overall, 1-1 NSAC), in their first year as a varsity program, held a 14-point advantage at halftime and held off a determined Cardinal rally for the victory.

Simari Murray scored 18 points, Duncan Casey added 17, and Daquan Ramey contributed 10 for the Glads, who were down four players suffering from COVID symptoms.

Josh Ellis led CIC (1-8, 0-1) with 19 points.

S4C continues its road trip at MACU on Saturday.

Brown Earns Record Fourth POW Honor

Eddie Brown continues to blister the basket for Lighthouse Christian. The 6’0″ junior from Pensacola went 10-of-19 from the floor, including 6-of-11 from beyond the arc, to load up 43 points in the Makos’ 117-77 rout of John Melvin (LA) on Friday and improve to 5-0 in conference play. For a record fourth time, Brown is the NSAC Player of the Week.

Congratulations, Eddie!

Mohawks Down Millers in First ‘Battle of the Melvins’

PENSACOLA, Fl. – Betting on a John Melvin win Saturday was easy money.

In the first-ever meeting between the two John Melvin campuses, Pace, Florida-based John Melvin Christian College (JMCC) defeated John Melvin University (JMU) of Crowley, Louisiana 94-81.

JMU opened the game up 7-0 before JMCC coach Colin Doss called a time out. The Mohawks gathered themselves afterward to take a lead they would not relinquish, extending the margin to as many as 23 points in the second half.

JMCC (12-3 overall, 3-1 NSAC) was led by Jacquari Johnson with 23 points with Evan Griffin contributing 17. Darion Ramos came off the bench and went 5-of-7 from three for 15 of his 17 points.

JMU dropped its fifth straight conference game to move to 9-9 overall and 1-5 in league play.

Photo courtesy JMCC