A new season brings renewed hope across Savannah’s independent-school basketball programs. With several teams undergoing leadership changes and others returning deep, playoff-tested cores, the 2025–26 campaign promises to be one of the most competitive in years.
Girls' previews are up next Wednesday and Thursday.
Here’s the complete private-school preview for SCISA, GIAA, and GAPPS programs across the Coastal Empire.
SCISA
BETHESDA ACADEMY
Coach: Clyde Wormley
Years as head coach at school: Third year
REGION: SCISA 2A-DIVISION III
Overall and region record in 2024-25 season: 14-14, 10-2 SCISA 2A Region III
Key returning players: Jadon Turner, SG, jr., 5-10; Xavier Dorsey, PG, sr., 5-11; Jordan Turner, PG, so., 5-11.
Key losses: Israel Wright, SG, 5-10; Franky Jackson, F, 5-11.
Key additions: Branson Bodison, F, fr., 6-4; Isaac Gaskins, G, jr., 6-2; Zack Dorsey, F, so., 6-1.
Season outlook: The 2025–26 season marks a new chapter for the Bethesda Academy varsity basketball program -- one built on discipline, unity, and a commitment to excellence. With a strong foundation returning and a renewed sense of purpose, the Blazers enter the season with confidence, hunger, and the belief that this year’s team has the talent and mindset to make a serious run at both the region championship and a berth in the state championship.
This year’s squad will be defined by its defensive identity and relentless conditioning. Bethesda aims to turn every game into a battle of heart and toughness -- taking pride in locking down opponents, controlling the tempo, and wearing teams down over four quarters. Offensively, the focus this season will be on elevating ball movement and improving perimeter shooting. The coaching staff has emphasized unselfish play, high-quality shot creation, and a “next pass” mentality that keeps defenses off balance. If the Blazers execute with precision on offense while maintaining their trademark defensive grit, they will be a formidable challenge for any opponent in the region. – Clyde Wormley
BETHESDA ACADEMY — 2025–26 BOYS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
12/6 @ Savannah Classical Academy – TBA
12/9 @ Coastal HomeSchool – 7:30pm
12/12 @ First Preparatory Christian Academy – 7:00pm
12/13 vs Savannah Classical Academy – TBA
12/18 @ Battery Creek – 8:00pm
12/19 vs TBA Opponent – TBA
12/20 vs TBA Opponent – TBA
12/29 vs TBA Opponent – TBA
12/30 vs TBA Opponent – TBA
12/31 vs TBA Opponent – TBA
1/3 @ Burke – 5:30pm
1/6 @ Andrew Jackson Academy* – TBA
1/9 @ Thomas Heyward Academy* – TBA
1/10 vs John Paul II – TBA
1/13 vs Cross* – 7:30pm
1/16 @ Beaufort Academy* – TBA
1/17 vs Savannah Country Day – 2:30pm
1/20 vs Coastal HomeSchool – 7:30pm
1/23 vs Andrew Jackson Academy* – TBA
1/27 vs Thomas Heyward Academy* – 7:00pm
1/30 @ Cross* – 7:30pm
1/31 vs Hilton Head Prep – TBA
2/3 vs Beaufort Academy* – TBA
2/5 vs First Preparatory Christian Academy – 7:00pm
2/7 @ John Paul II – TBA
GIAA
MEMORIAL DAY SCHOOL
Coach: Cedrick Brown
Years as head coach at school: First year
Overall and region record in 2024–25 season: 4–15, 0–6
Key returning players: Lake Mills
Key losses: Cory Ward, Ja’Shaun Collins
Key additions: Taurion Holloway, Jamir Brown, Cedrick Brown Jr.
Season outlook: “Memorial Day enters the season as a young but energetic group, with two eighth graders and a freshman expected to start. The team should be scrappy on defense and gradually improve offensively as the year goes on. Coach Brown says the focus will be on development, toughness, and growing together as the season progresses.” - Cedrick Brown.
MEMORIAL DAY SCHOOL — 2025–26 BOYS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
11/4 vs The Habersham School – L 52-36
11/6 @ Bible Baptist Christian – L 70-60
11/10 vs Bible Baptist Christian – W 42-37
11/12 @ Savannah Classical Academy – L 53-51
11/18 vs Savannah Athletic Association – 7:30pm
11/20 @ Coastal HomeSchool – 7:30pm
11/22 vs Brunswick – 3:30pm
12/5 vs Coastal HomeSchool – 7:30pm
12/6 @ Islands – 2:30pm
12/9 @ The Habersham School – 7:00pm
12/18 @ Veritas Academy – 6:30pm
1/13 @ Savannah Athletic Association – 7:30pm
1/16 vs Savannah Classical Academy – 6:00pm
1/20 vs Robert Toombs Christian Academy* – 7:30pm
1/23 vs First Preparatory Christian Academy* – 6:00pm
1/27 @ Citizens Christian Academy* – 7:30pm
1/30 @ Robert Toombs Christian Academy* – 7:30pm
2/3 @ First Preparatory Christian Academy* – 6:00pm
2/6 vs Citizens Christian Academy* – 7:30pm
ST. ANDREW’S SCHOOL
Coach: Mel Abrams Jr.
Years as head coach at school: 11th year
Region: GIAA AAAA/AAA-DSITRICT 2
Overall and region record in 2024-25 season: 26-3, 10-0 (40 straight region wins over four years)
Key returning players: Ja'Cari Glover, F, sr., 6-5; Page Getter, G, so., 6-3; Guus Blom, SG, sr., 6-0; Chase Brown, G, so., 6-3.
Key losses: Zayden Edwards, G, 6-1 (team captain and four-time GIAA all-state; program’s all-time leader in points and assists); Miles Cummings, C, 6-8.
Key addition: Milos Copic, GS, sr., 6-6.
Season outlook: Our ability to defend individually and collectively will be an area the coaches are observing closely. How we defend and rebound as a group will determine how far we go. … Ja’Cari (Glover) needs to build on what he did last year. If our key returners can take the next step on both ends of the court, we have a chance to be very good again. – Mel Abrams Jr.
Additional notes: Winners of three GIAA state championships in four years, the Lions enter the 2025-26 season for the first time in five years without one or both of the all-state standout Edwards brothers, Zyere (Class of 2023) and Zayden (Class of 2025).
ST. ANDREW'S SCHOOL — 2025–26 BOYS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
11/15 vs Morgan County – 4:00pm
11/18 vs South Effingham – 6:45pm
11/21 vs Bradwell Institute – 7:30pm
11/28 vs TBA (Darrin Hancock Invitational) – 3:30pm
11/29 vs TBA (Darrin Hancock Invitational) – 2:00pm
12/2 @ Hilton Head Island – 7:30pm
12/5 @ New Faith Christian Academy – 6:00pm
12/6 vs Furtah Prep – 3:30pm
12/9 @ South Effingham – 7:30pm
12/12 vs Hilton Head Prep – 7:30pm
12/13 vs Johnson – 3:30pm
12/19 vs TBA (Savannah Christian Classic) – 6:30pm
12/20 vs Effingham County – 6:00pm
12/29 vs Arlington Christian – 4:00pm
12/30 vs TBA (Lemon Street Classic) – TBA
1/9 @ Pinewood Christian* – 7:30pm
1/10 vs Savannah – 3:15pm
1/13 vs Frederica Academy* – 7:30pm
1/16 @ Westminster Schools of Augusta* – 7:30pm
1/19 vs TBA (MLK Event @ Cross Creek HS) – TBA
1/20 vs Bulloch Academy* – 7:30pm
1/27 vs Westminster Schools of Augusta* – 6:30pm
1/30 vs Pinewood Christian* – 7:30pm
1/31 @ Bradwell Institute – 5:00pm
2/3 @ Frederica Academy* – 7:30pm
2/6 @ Bulloch Academy* – 7:30pm
GAPPS
THE HABERSHAM SCHOOL
Coach: Ben Essenburg
Years as head coach at school: First year
Region: GAPPS 1-A Region 4
Overall and region record in 2024-25 season: 13-9; 6-2 GAPPS 1-A Region 4
Key returning players: Daniil Phillips, G, sr., 5-8; Charlie Welch, G, sr., 5-9; Andrew Bland, G, so., 5-9; Whitt Sullivan, G, so., 5-10.
Key losses: Caleb Parker, G/F, 6-2
Key additions: Tyler Shippy, F, sr., 6-3; Luke Wilson, G, so., 6-0; Landon Essenburg, F, so., 6-4.
Season outlook: We have a group of young men who have some ability and will need to work on playing together on both ends of the court. Our defensive focus will keep us competitive in most games, but it will come down to staying disciplined and finishing possessions. The team is developing a higher level of communication defensively. When our team mentally locks in, we have a bunch of guys who can play tough defense. Offensively, we have some talented playmakers and guys who can hit shots, but we need to develop our ability to read defenses and take advantage of offensive mismatches, rather than playing the one-on-one game. Our ability to play with poise to find the open man through offensive advantages will be a difference maker if we can capitalize. There are some key new faces, and our ability to gel as a team will impact our success. I'm excited about the possibilities this season, and we will work hard to fulfill our potential as a team. – Ben Essenburg
THE HABERSHAM SCHOOL — 2025–26 BOYS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
10/28 vs Faith Christian Academy* – W 66-28
10/31 vs Varsity Opponent – W 64-30
11/4 @ Memorial Day – W 52-36
11/6 @ Savannah Athletic Association – W 71-43
11/7 @ Faith Baptist Christian Academy – L 78-61
11/11 @ Woodville-Tompkins – L 69-39
11/13 @ Cross – W 47-39
11/14 vs Savannah Christian – 6:00pm
12/2 @ Islands – 6:00pm
12/3 @ Savannah Christian – 7:30pm
12/5 vs Faith Baptist Christian Academy – 6:30pm
12/8 vs Veritas Academy* – 6:30pm
12/9 vs Memorial Day – 7:00pm
12/12 vs Savannah Athletic Association – 7:30pm
12/18 vs Trinity Christian* – 7:00pm
1/6 vs Cross – 7:00pm
1/8 @ David Emanuel Academy – 7:00pm
1/13 vs Heritage Christian Academy* – 7:00pm
1/15 vs Savannah Classical Academy – 6:30pm
1/16 vs Varsity Opponent – 7:00pm
1/20 @ Heritage Christian Academy* – 7:00pm
1/22 vs David Emanuel Academy – 7:00pm
1/23 @ Faith Christian Academy* – 7:00pm
1/27 @ Trinity Christian* – 7:00pm
1/30 vs Veritas Academy* – 5:30pm
2/2 @ Savannah Classical Academy – 7:00pm
Photo Credit: Courtesy St. Andrew's Athletic Department
Miss the GHSA boys preview? Read Part 1 on PrepSportsReport.com
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