Sports

Men’s Basketball team defeats DME Academy

Daniel Nachampassak, Staff Writer and Editor-in-training

October 27, 2025

Head Coach Kent Payne talks through a timeout, maintaining the team to fix errors and to capitalize on positives against DME Academy, on October 23rd 2025. Payne has served as the college’s head coach for three seasons, but has served as the team’s Director of Athletics and Wellness for 24 years.

ECC Men’s Basketball team won their scrimmage against DME Academy 90-72 on Thursday at the Spartans Event Center.

The scrimmage was held for the Spartans in order to prepare for their upcoming season.

The team got off to a good start as forward Immanuel Brown scored the team’s first two points of the game.

ECC men's basketball player jumps for a layup to the basket, in the ECC gymnasium. — Freshman Jaylen Wells flies to the basket for the layup, bolting past two defenders for the quick two-point score, on October 23rd 2025. The first-year forward was integral to the team’s pace, contributing a 4 point run for the team to start the second half. (JP Ramos)

During the first half of the game, forward Jaylen Wells grabs a steal and makes a shot in the basket.

As the game goes on, the Spartans are putting effort to have more possession so they can score more points.

Basketball players watches the team from the bench, in the ECC gymnasium. — The Spartans spectate their teammates from the bench, guiding and encouraging them through every possession on the court, on October 23rd 2025. The team’s bench presence was evident, cheering on and hyping their teammates’ three point scoring and flying dunks. (JP Ramos)

Although the team put in an effort to play well during the game, they ended the first half with a three point lead with the score of 43-40.

Forward Jaylen Wells started an 4-0 run to get the team a good start to the second half of the game.

ECC men's basketball player prepares to shoot a free throw, in the ECC gymnasium. — Maddox Hollian at the line for free throws versus DME Academy, on October 23rd 2025. Hollian’s scoring helped the Spartans maintain their lead in the second half, with seven of those points occurring in the second half. (JP Ramos)

In the second half, the Spartans are starting to get better as time goes on. They’re more consistent, putting more effort in both offence and defence and playing a little bit more intensity.

Guard Maddox Hollian scored seven straight points during the second half. The Spartans won the game with the score of 90-72 to DME Academy in their first scrimmage of the preseason.

The next game will be the second and final scrimmage against Highland Community College on Wednesday October 29.

Because of the win against DME Academy, The Spartans have the potential to have a better record in this upcoming season than last season.

ECC men's basketball team raise their hands during a huddle, in the ECC gymnasium. — The team breaks the huddle after a timeout, stacking hands before resuming play, on October 23rd 2025. The team went on to win the scrimmage versus DME Academy, 90-72, with the win providing a hopeful outlook for the upcoming season. (JP Ramos)

men's basketball

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About the Contributors

Daniel Nachampassak, staff writer and editor-in-training

Nachampassak is entering his third year at ECC pursuing an Associate of Arts. He joined The Observer because he wants to learn how journalism works. but also it’s the stepping stone of getting more opportunities to work in professional spaces. The content Nachampassak is interested in are sports, mental health and improving the experience of ECC. Nachampassak is hoping to improve the quality of his stories but also be more consistent. He is also hoping to communicate with photographers more in this semester. His personal motto is “Focus on yourself and keep on moving.” Contact Information: [email protected]

JP Ramos, Staff photographer

After graduating from ECC in 2022, Ramos joins the Observer for his first year to focus on utilizing and honing on his photography skills in the medium of photojournalism. He also seeks to become more experienced in newswriting and media. Music, sports, and student-life are topics he’s interested in covering, while also having a passion for film. Refining his storytelling and composition through his photography is what Ramos hopes to achieve during his time at the Observer. He engages life through the motto, “be kind, especially when we don’t know what’s going on.” Contact: [email protected]