On October 31, the newly formed Savannah Jaguars boys’ basketball team took the court for the very first time in an intrasquad Blue and White game at Windsor Forest Baptist Church, opening a new chapter for Savannah’s basketball community.
The Savannah Jaguars Athletic Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering athletes to excel in competitive sports while growing in their faith.The players may be homeschooled or attend different schools, but but the group has come together quickly to form an outstanding team.
The Jaguars will practice at Windsor Forest Baptist Church and play home games at the Jenkins Athletic Club on Waters Avenue. The team has a full schedule, including appearances at several tournaments for private school and homeschooled athletes.
The program is led by two of Savannah’s most respected basketball minds, Head Coach Todd O’Neal and Assistant Coach David Dewitt, both hometown basketball stars who experienced success at the collegiate level and spent their lives building champions on and off the court as coaches.
For O’Neal, the Jaguars’ debut carried special meaning. A former Calvary Day School standaout from 1984–1988, O’Neal went on to become one of the top ten scorers in the nation at Warren Wilson College. After 21 seasons as coach, O’Neal has amassed 648 wins at the prep and high school levels but now begins perhaps his most meaningful journey yet.
“You don’t get many chances to build something from the ground up,” O’Neal said. “Being at the beginning of something is challenging but so much fun. Watching these young men compete with heart, discipline, and faith is a blessing.”
Beside him on the sideline will be longtime friend and fellow Savannahian David Dewitt, whose basketball résumé includes starring at Memorial Day School from 1983–1987 and playing for South College before transferring to the University of Georgia, where he played for legendary coach Hugh Durham and was part of an SEC Championship team.
After college, Dewitt returned home to Savannah, where he poured his energy into coaching youth, middle school and high school programs. His leadership and teaching have impacted countless players, and he guided teams from Calvary and Hancock Day School to middle school championships.
“This game has given me so much,” Dewitt reflected. “Now, coaching with (O’Neal) and helping shape this program is a way to give it back. We’ve got special kids — not just athletes but young men of character, intelligence and work ethic.”
Both coaches admitted to feeling a mix of nerves and excitement before tip-off, but once the ball went up those nerves turned to pride.
“We were both nervous,” O’Neal said with a smile. “But when we saw how our guys competed, communicated, and supported each other, we knew this is the start of something great.”
The Savannah Jaguars aim to build their program around faith, discipline and teamwork, values shared throughout the organization. The boys join a thriving athletic family: the Jaguars varsity girls team, coached by Bailey Hillis, debuted last season and quickly found success under Hillis’ direction as both head coach and athletic director.
Now the boys’ team looks to follow that example with leadership grounded in experience, passion, and purpose.
“We tell our players that we’re not just building a team, we’re building a standard,” Dewitt said. “It’s about character, effort, and representing Savannah with pride.”
Savannah Jaguars 2025-26 Boy Roster
Zaire Harrison - Junior
Kegan Gowan - Junior
Josh Vanek - Senior
Autrel Floyd - Sophomore
Reid DeWitt - Junior
Jaaden Devore – Sophomore
Ahmad Minor – Junior
Tamaj Williams – Senior
Matt Tucker – Junior
Matthew Gonzalez – Sophomore
Thomas Davis – Junior
Coaching Staff
Todd O'Neal - Head Coach
David DeWitt - Assistant Coach
Austin Sloop - Assistant Coach
Savannah Jaguars 2025-26 Game Schedule
November 4 Brunswick Christian Academy (Away)
November 6 The Habersham School (Home)
November 11 Faith Baptist Christian Academy (Home)
November 14 Sow Good Seeds Tournament (Away)
November 15 Sow Good Seeds Tournament (Away)
November 17 Veritas (Away)
November 18 Memorial Day School (Away)
November 21 Dribble For Life Tournament (Away)
November 22 Dribble for Life (Away)
December 2 Cross Schools (Away)
December 4 Statesboro STEAM (Home)
December 5 Holy Trinity Classical Christian School (Away)
December 9 Beaufort Academy (Home)
December 11 Trinity Christian School (Home)
December 12 The Habersham School (Away)
December 13 Alleluia Community School (Home)
December 15 Holy Trinity Classical Christian School (Home)
December 16 Faith Baptist Christian Academy (Away)
December 19 Faith Baptist Tournament (Away)
December 20 Faith Baptist Tournament (Away)
January 2 Statesboro STEAM (Home)
January 3 PAC (Away)
January 6 Thomas Heyward Academy (Away)
January 9 Bible Baptist Christian Academy (Away)
January 10 Alleluia Community School (Away)
January 13 Memorial Day School (Home)
January 17 Trinity Christian School (Away)
January 20 Thomas Heyward Academy (Home)
January 27 Hilton Head Prep (Away)
January 30 Bible Baptist Christian Academy (Home)
February 6 Hilton Head Prep (Home)
February 7 Lowcountry Wildcats (Away)
February 10 Beaufort Academy (Away)
February 12-14 Palmetto State Tournament (Away)
March 9-13 Gatlinburg Homeschool Tournament (Away)
