James, Delosreyes Lead MACU to First Win

MOUNT HOPE, W.V. – Senior Carly James and sophomore Madelyn Delosreyes each scored 14 points in leading Mid-Atlantic Christian to a 58-53 win over Appalachian Bible College on Saturday.

James scored 10 of her points in the second half as the Mustangs (1-3) recorded their first win of the season. Lily McLean added 11 points.

MACU’s offensive output was 25 points higher than its season average.

Mid-Atlantic is in action again next Saturday, December 13 when it takes on USCAA Division 2 6th-ranked Cincinnati-Clermont at the Apprentice’s Great Ships Classic.

Image courtesy MACU Athletics

Apprentice Takes Down Christendom 78-54

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Points were plentiful Saturday afternoon for The Apprentice School women’s basketball team as they took down the two-time defending USCAA Division II national champions in Christendom 78-54.

The Builders (4-2) got the scoring going early and often, taking a 19-13 lead into the second quarter before going on a 14-2 run late in the second to extend their lead to 40-26 by halftime.

Apprentice came out red hot in the third quarter, scoring the first 11 points of the period and 20 of the first 22 to push the lead north of 30 points. The Crusaders settled in to hold the lead around that mark during the third quarter and cut into it in the fourth to get to the final score.

Ronnice Berry led all scorers with 34 points, finishing four points shy of the single-game program record. She also ended one rebound shy of a double-double. Dajanelle Linton-Robinson also was one board shy of the double-double, scoring 12 points with nine rebounds. Joy Wright also added 10.

Story courtesy Walker McCrary/Apprentice Athletics; Image courtesy Kaitlyn Olson @shotsbyk8lyn

Millennia Pulls Away for 82-67 Win over STU

MIAMI – Millennia Atlantic broke open a tight game in the second half to pull away and secure an 82-67 non-conference win against the St. Thomas (FL) developmental team on Wednesday night.

Leading 35-33 at halftime, the Macaws outscored the Bobcats 48-32 down the stretch. MAU was led by double-double performances from Saesha Moise with 26 points and 10 rebounds and Abigail Theophile with 25 points and an impessive 19 boards.

MAU (4-0 overall, 1-0 NSAC) returns to action Saturday at Atlantis for a New South conference encounter.

Image courtesy St. Thomas Athletics

Apprentice Defeats Patriots on Alumni Night

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Kicking off the 30th season of Apprentice School women’s basketball, the Builders defeated Patrick & Henry Community College Wednesday night, 63-53, on Alumni Night in front of a number of former players and coaches of the program.

Despite a sluggish start, the Builder defense kept the game tight early on. PHCC led by two after the first quarter, but a 10-2 run for Apprentice midway through the second quarter flipped the game on its head and allowed the Builders to lead 28-24 at halftime.

Apprentice came out hot in the second half, starting the third quarter on an 11-0 run to stretch the lead to 15, the largest of the day, but the Patriots did not go quietly, trimming the lead down to as few as eight in the fourth quarter.

Ronnice Berry led the Builders with 22 points and 11 rebounds to notch her second double-double of the season. Joy Wright had 13, while Carlee Baidy finished two points shy of a double-double as well.

The Builders will look to keep the winning streak going on Saturday at William Peace. Tip time is 2 p.m. in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Story courtesy Apprentice Athletics; image courtesy Kaitlyn Olson @shotsbyk8lyn

Twelve Named to WBB All-NSAC Team

Twelve outstanding athletes have been named by the coaches to the 2025 New South Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball All-Conference Team.

“Through adversity and attrition, these young ladies have persevered to grind out the season and come out on top,” said Mike Davis, NSAC Commissioner. “We salute them and their efforts!”

  • Madelyn Delosreyes, MACU
  • India Gultry, Beacon
  • JaLay Harris-Burns, Beacon
  • Carly James, MACU
  • Katerina Kolaxis, Beacon
  • Isabel LaPoe, MACU
  • Maya Lopez, Beacon
  • Angenai Martin, Atlantis
  • Carmen McDaniel, Atlantis
  • Kaytee Reich, MACU
  • Jada Sinclair, Atlantis
  • Chayce Wright, Atlantis

Photo by 1MilliDollars on Unsplash

2025 WBB All-Academic Team Announced

The New South Athletic Conference is pleased to award 14 student-athletes as members of the 2025 NSAC All-Academic Team.

“These young ladies have made it a priority to balance their basketball skills with their classwork,” said conference commissioner Mike Davis. “It is an honor to recognize their hard work and dedication to academic excellence.”

Members of the All-Academic Team have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Atlantis University:

  • Kayla Anderson
  • Alexis Cutler
  • Desiree Johnson
  • Angenai Martin
  • Yanise Martin
  • Chayce Wright

Beacon College:

  • Maya Lopez

Mid-Atlantic Christian University:

  • Emily Dangerfield
  • Maddy Delosreyes
  • Tessa Dodson
  • Ashleigh Givens
  • Carly James
  • Isabel LaPoe
  • Kaytee Reich

Photo by Felipe Gregate on Unsplash

Ieshia Small Named Apprentice Women’s Basketball Coach

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – After an extensive national search, The Apprentice School Director of Athletics Jeff Egnot has named Ieshia Small the new Head Women’s Basketball Coach for the Builders.

“I am super honored and blessed to be given the opportunity to lead this program,” said Small. “To be able to give back to the game that helped groom me to who I am today is something I am very appreciative of. I am looking forward to using my basketball experience and connections to this area and program to build the culture of not only winning basketball games, but setting these women up for their careers after going through The Apprentice School.”

Small has spent the last two seasons on staff as the Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator while also serving as an Assistant Athletic Director for the Builders. Her responsibilities as Assistant Athletic Director have included athletic facilities oversight as well as day-to-day athletic operations support. Small also assists with event management of all athletic events and helping to coordinate external and special events to promote Apprentice Athletics.

“Throughout the interview process that saw applicants from all over the nation, Ieshia really stood out as the clear choice to take our women’s basketball program to the next level,” said Egnot. “She has the basketball IQ and coaching experience to push this program to the forefront of the USCAA and also the ability to get young women to want to be a part of this historic program here at The Apprentice School. We could not be more excited for the future of the women’s basketball program!”

Small came to Apprentice after playing five seasons internationally, including in China, Hungary, Ukraine and Poland. She averaged over 14 points per game in her career as a professional. She graduated from Maryland in 2018 and has also been an assistant coach for 17u Nike EYBL for Essence Girls since 2018. Small was a former McDonald’s All-American in high school and won two Big 10 regular season championships during her career as a Terrapin.

Additionally, Small was a Gatorade Player of the Year in Florida during her high school campaign and won Big 10 Sixth Woman of the Year in her senior season at Maryland.

What They Are Saying About Ieshia
“Ieshia is a fantastic hire for The Apprentice School!  She comes from a championship pedigree and knows how to win.  Ieshia is a fantastic communicator and connector who will outwork anyone.  She is a rising star in the profession.  Under Ieshia’s guidance, these young women will grow, mature, and learn in every aspect of life both on and off the court. She will have an immediate impact on all of them.”
– Brenda Frese, Head Basketball Coach, University of Maryland 

“Ieshia Small has the basketball IQ and passion to lead the Apprentice School Women’s Basketball program. In this role, she will create an environment for the players to grow mature and become productive citizens while winning championships.”
– Kimberly Davis Powell, Program Director/Head Coach over Essence Girls basketball Nike EYBL
McDonald All-American voter

“The Apprentice School hit a home run with this hire! Coach Ieshia understands everything it takes to create a winning culture that will lead to success on and off the court. She will immediately elevate the program.”
– Britney Anderson, Assistant Coach, Illinois Women’s Basketball 

“Ieshia is a great hire for all the right reasons, She’s a winner, values family and culture and she’s authentic. Whether as a player or coach she finds a way to bring great energy every single day. She’s been apart of numerous successful programs as a coach and a player so she knows what it takes to run a successful program.”
– Chris Ayers, Assistant Coach, Clemson Women’s Basketball 

Image and story courtesy Apprentice Athletics/Walker McCrary

Atlanteans, Blazers Set to Meet for 2025 Title

RALEIGH, N.C. – In a season filled with attrition, the New South Athletic Conference and its member school leaders have set February 15 as the date for the 2025 NSAC Women’s Basketball Championship between Atlantis University and Beacon College.

The season began with four teams vying for postseason glory, but hardships and injuries within the program forced Apprentice to cancel its season in December. Mid-Atlantic Christian has also struggled with a shortened bench and elected not to participate in the conference tournament. The Blazers and Atlanteans have also experienced challenges throughout the season.

“In spite of the circumstances, it is important for us to provide this opportunity for a title for the young ladies,” said NSAC commissioner Mike Davis. “My thanks to Atlantis and Beacon for making this championship game possible.”

The match will be hosted by Atlantis in Miami. The All-Conference and All-Academic teams will be announced on February 17.

Photo by Fauzan Saari on Unsplash