Anderson Out at Atlantis

In an unexpected move, Atlantis University has released men’s head basketball coach Antwann Anderson.

Anderson was in his third season with the Atlanteans. They finished 18-2 in their inaugural 2021-22 season, then joined the USCAA in 2022 and accepted an invitation to compete in the USCAA National Tournament as the seventh seed. Atlantis is currently ranked sixth.

The school announced that the move was due to budget concerns.

The team is scheduled to play at Fisher College in Massachusetts tonight. Assistant coach Francisco Hernandez, the former head coach at Florida Palms University, has been named interim coach.

Anderson’s departure marks the second NSAC mid-season coaching change in the past month. Nolan Adams stepped down at Blue Lights College before the start of the spring semester. Denzel Johnson was named interim there.

Image courtesy auatlanteans.com

CIC, Blue Lights Trade Opponents

Events over the past few weeks have had men’s basketball teams scrambling to make adjustments to continue their seasons and fill holes in their schedules. This has led to two NSAC teams trading opponents.

The departure of coach Nolan Adams from the Blue Lights sidelines in mid-season created some uncertainty as to whether the Thoroughbreds would be able to participate in Apprentice’s MLK Classic last weekend. Enter Central International College to fill in. This also allowed the Cardinals to make up the conference game with Apprentice that was postponed from December 10 due to floor conditions.

Now, it’s Blue Lights’ chance to step in. CIC is suffering attrition issues including an ankle injury starting point guard Jordan Harrington suffered during the MLK. With the Cards shorthanded, the Herd will take their place in a non-conference game Saturday at Johnson & Wales.

The NSAC game between CIC and BLC scheduled for this past Tuesday in Apex, North Carolina was postponed, but they are set to play again on Tuesday, February 6.

Photo by Austin Kehmeier on Unsplash

Goode’s Double-Double Paces Apprentice Past UIC

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Clifton Goode finished with a career-high 19 points and 11 rebounds as No. 1 Apprentice took down ninth-ranked United International College on the final day of the MLK Classic Sunday 87-73.

The Builders (13-3 overall, 2-0 NSAC) are now 10-0 at home this season and have not lost in Newport News in the last 16 home games, dating back to an 11-point loss to Berkeley at home last February.

The Eagle Rays (6-8) took an early lead, coming out of the gates with a 21-15 lead midway through the first half, but the Builders answered with a 15-3 run over the next seven minutes of play to take a 30-24 lead. After being out in front 40-31 at halftime, the Builders saw their lead cut to three multiple times in the first five minutes of the second half before extending the advantage to as many as 17 to keep their unbeaten home winning streak intact.

In addition to Goode’s stat line, Adrion Wall also recorded a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds. Karree Smith added 12, while Avin Hawkins contributed 11.

The Builders are in action again on Tuesday as they jump back into NSAC play at Mid-Atlantic Christian. Tip time is set for 7 p.m. in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

Story and image courtesy gobuilders.com

Bruin Rally Spoils Hot Mustang Start 89-80

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – Mid-Atlantic Christian raced out to a 20-0 lead but failed to hold off Carolina University’s comeback in falling 89-80 Saturday.

The Mustangs (3-11 overall, 2-0 NSAC), looking to turn around their fortunes in what had been a disappointing start to their season, looked like world beaters in the opening five minutes of the contest. But the Bruins (4-12) began to claw back into the game and trimmed the margin to nine, 43-34, at the half. The second frame belonged to CU, who shot 64.7% after intermission to pull away for the win. Carolina made good use of its reserves, holding a 29-4 advantage in points off the bench.

Noah Richardson-Keys led the Herd with 22 points. Talik Totten and Josh Tyler added 16 points each, and Carlos Raven contributed 13. Carolina’s Adam Claybourne led all scorers with 26.

Apprentice 3-Point Barrage Sinks CIC

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Apprentice hit a program record 18 three pointers as the Builders raced past Central International Saturday 118-70 in the MLK Classic.

The Builders (12-3 overall, 2-0 NSAC) opened the game on a 12-0 run and led 22-5 just seven minutes into the contest before CIC (7-7, 0-3) finally got rolling, cutting the lead down to as few as eight. Apprentice, ranked number 1 in the USCAA, responded with three-pointer after three-pointer to pull away and stay unbeaten in New South Athletic Conference action.

Adrion Wall had a game-high 28 points, hitting five threes on the day. Karree Smith and Donovan Means each had 15 points, while Xavien Hunter added 13 and Avin Hawkins put up 10.

The 118 points scored is the second most all-time only behind a 2009 performance against Ohio State-Marion on February 27, 2009.

In the other MLK Classic game on the men’s side Saturday, Camp defeated UIC 87-77.

The Builders will take on UIC tomorrow at 2 p.m. to wrap up the MLK Classic.

Story courtesy Walker McCrary/gobuilders.com. Photo by Mike Davis.

Lighthouse Upsets #9 UIC 77-67

Miami – Sophomore point guard Eddie Brown scored 30 points, including four three-pointers in the second half, to propel Lighthouse to a 77-67 win over USCAA ninth-ranked UIC Monday afternoon.

The Makos (10-4 overall, 0-1 NSAC) held a 40-37 lead at the break but pulled away behind Brown’s 18 second-half points. Brown was also 6-of-6 from the free throw line. Sophomore swingman Houston Culpepper added 12 points, and his brother, junior guard Chayse Culpepper, contributed 11.

Sophomore guard Santiago Insaurralde led the Eagle Rays (6-5) with 16 points.

Photo by Max Winkler on Unsplash

Wall Honored as NSAC Player of the Week

Top-ranked Apprentice opened NSAC conference play on Saturday with a hard-fought win over Blue Lights and cruised to a non-conference victory over Gallaudet on Sunday. The Builders were led by Adrion Wall, who averaged 18 points and six rebounds in the two games and has been named the Player of the Week.

Wall, a 6-3 junior guard from Norfolk, scored 15 points and grabbed five boards as the Builders picked up their first NSAC win of the year. On Sunday, Wall led all scorers with 21 while hauling in seven boards, two assists, and two steals.

Honorable Mention: Eddie Brown, Lighthouse Christian College

Congratulations to Adrion Wall, the NSAC Men’s Basketball Player of the Week!

Image courtesy gobuilders.com

Top-ranked Apprentice Holds Off BLC 94-89

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Despite trailing for a majority of the game, the No. 1-ranked Apprentice School men’s basketball team battled to claim a 94-89 win over Blue Lights College in the New South Athletic Conference opener for both teams Saturday afternoon.

The Thoroughbreds withstood an early 8-0 push by the Builders, responding with an 8-0 run of their own to keep the game going back-and-forth early on. With the score in favor of the Builders at 24-18 midway through the first half, Blue Lights answered with a 19-4 run to take a 37-28 lead late in the period. BLC led the game at the half, 45-41, and held on to the advantage much of the second half.

In its first game under interim coach Denzel Johnson, Blue Lights (7-4 overall, 0-1 NSAC) led 72-66 at the midway point of the second half before the Builders rattled off seven straight points over a 1:53 span to retake the lead for the first time since halfway through the first period at 73-72. The game teetered back and forth before Apprentice (10-3, 1-0) reeled off a 7-0 spurt with 2:30 to play to take a 92-87 lead, a lead that would hold to give the Builders their first conference win of the season.

Sam Benton, Jr. led five Thoroughbreds in double-figure scoring with 23. Donovan Means finished with 17 points and 16 rebounds for Apprentice, 15 of those points coming in the second half. Five other Builders finished in double figures.

Story and image courtesy gobuilders.com

Adams Steps Down at BLC

APEX, N.C. – Citing personal reasons, Nolan Adams has tendered his resignation as men’s basketball head coach at Blue Lights College.

Hired in August 2022, Adams hit the ground running in filling out a depleted Thoroughbreds roster and making the team instantly competitive. In his first season, he guided BLC to a 7-5 record and a fourth-place finish in the NSAC, advancing to the conference tournament semifinals before falling to eventual champion Apprentice 97-88. Three members of Adams’ team were placed on the all-conference squad, led by first-team selection Wol Yak.

This season, Blue Lights is off to a 7-3 start including back-to-back wins over NAIA Morris College.

Adams came to Blue Lights from York College in New York City, where he was head coach for seven seasons. Prior to that, he was the head coach of the Borough of Manhattan Community College and the Polytechnic Institute of New York University.

“I’m forever grateful for all Nolan Adams invested into our program,” said BLC president Jacques Gilbert. “We grew as a result of his leadership. He will be missed. While this change in the middle of the season creates some challenges, we will see this as another opportunity to demonstrate our faith. The mission of Blue Lights College remains a priority. Our student athletes are committed to finishing the season strong.”

Gilbert named Denzel Johnson as interim coach. The Thoroughbreds open their NSAC schedule Saturday at Apprentice.

Atlantis’ Goodman is Player of the Week

Guard Gravon Goodman led Atlantis to a 1-1 split at Bucks County Community College and has been named the NSAC men’s basketball Player of the Week.

The sophomore transfer from Copiah Lincoln Community College averaged 28 pts and 6.5 assists against the defending Eastern State Athletic Conference champs.

Honorable Mention:

  • Karree Smith – Apprentice
  • Kalil Baker – Blue Lights
  • Darquez Flowers – Blue Lights

Congratulations to Gravon Goodman and all the nominees!