January 20, 2026 | Sugar Land, Texas

If you're building something the right way, nights like this tell the story. North American University took care of business with a 94–83 win over Southwest Raiders College Prep on Tuesday night, improving to 5–1 on the season, but the final score only scratches the surface of what this game really represented.

NA came out with purpose, putting 46 on the board in the first half and setting the tone with pace, ball movement, and physical rebounding. The Raiders made a strong push after the break, matching NAU with 48 points in the second half, but the Stallions never flinched. This was a depth win. This was a program win. And this was exactly why having a JV program and competitive partners like Southwest Raiders matters.

From the jump, the Stallions spread the wealth. Des'Raymond McKey came off the bench and flat-out changed the game, pouring in 24 points on 10-of-18 shooting, including four triples. That's instant offense and grown-man confidence. Aaderius Blanks added 16 points, knocking down four from deep, while Caleb Barajas chipped in 13 points and 9 boards, doing the dirty work that wins games. Jalil Otems anchored the glass with a double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds), and Noah Rossow gave the Stallions another spark with 13 points in just 14 minutes.

That's not accidental. That's culture. That's reps. That's why JV matters.

On the other side, credit where it's due: Southwest Raiders College Prep came to compete. Daryl Adams III led all scorers for the Raiders with 21 points, while Cash Pichon stuffed the stat sheet with 18 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and 5 steals. This is a quality program doing real work for player development, and nights like this help both sides grow.

From a Coach Jackson (eGaming) lens, this is what development looks like. You don't just play games—you build pipelines. You give guys minutes, situations, and pressure. JV programs and partnerships like this prepare athletes for the next level, whether that's varsity minutes, college scholarships, or life beyond the scoreboard.

And let's talk atmosphere. Big shoutout to Houston-based R&B/Pop artist "Journie" (with the ie, not an ey) for an outstanding halftime performance. Her energy lit up the gym and gave the crowd a real show. Make sure you give her a follow @journiejj and tap into #FollowMyJournie. Much appreciation to KLP Consulting and The Gospel Arts Showcase for consistently connecting us with top-tier talent and elevating the game-day experience.

We'll also say this with a smile: we definitely miss our short but spirited football rivalry with Southwest. Those were battles. Nothing but respect to their program, and we wish the Raiders the best of luck the rest of the season.

Bottom line—this was bigger than a win. It was about development, depth, community, and respect for the grind. North American handled business, Southwest showed heart, and everyone involved took a step forward.

That's how you build something that lasts.