The 2022-23 season for the Lee College Navigators is one for the history books.

The Navigators clinched their first conference championship in the regular season; swept the Region 14 Northern Division; won every home game and earned a stunning 17-2 record.

These are all first-time accomplishments since Lee College established the men’s basketball program in the late 1960s.

Through the slam dunks, the struggles and the fatigue, the nationally ranked No. 11 Navigators powered through a “ruthless” schedule – which included facing off against the No. 1 and No. 3 teams in the country – only to lose by just a few points but gaining the respect of their competitors.

“Our guys were put in some tough, adverse situations, and they handled it with such class and poise,” said Lee College Athletics Director and Men’s Basketball Head Coach Nicholas Wade. “They were spectacular all season, and I am so proud of each and every one of our players.”

Lee College and the greater Baytown communities shared that pride and excitement as the team dribbled and drove their way to the NJCAA regional tournament. “Navigator fever” spread fast as the fan base grew and spectators filled the red seats at the Sports Arena. The fans also traveled to other venues to represent the college and cheer on players star players Djahi Binet, Tidjiane Dioumassi, Jorge Moreno and Nickolas Traylor.

“Our Navigators got Lee College excited. They got the city of Baytown excited,” Wade shared. “As a coach and who I am to the core, I don’t want to be a flash in the pan or just something we remembered this one time. I’m striving to make this the new norm at Lee, which is for us to be a national brand and a national name.”

Having a talented group of players who work well together is one thing, but Wade and his coaching staff of Carliss Robinson, Casey Apetrei and Russell Bundage believe that’s secondary to what they look for in a Navigator. Players must adhere to the Lee College athletics culture: an upstanding college community citizen who excels in class and gives back to the community.

As Coach Wade reflects on this season, he emphasizes that no matter how well the team did, there are “still boxes to be checked.”

“This isn’t something I am going to sit back on and think, ‘Oh, we did it one time and let’s rest on that glory.’ I am the ‘push the envelope guy.’ What is next that we can go conquer? Let’s take this thing all the way and see what happens.” ✪