ALEXANDRIA, La. (3/20/2025) – Winning a championship at any level is hard. Winning multiple is even harder. Stringing them together for consecutive seasons is one of sport’s most daunting tasks.
As LSUA celebrates another impressive season, Head Coach Dimario Jackson and rising star players EJ McQuillan and Isaiah Howard secured their second consecutive regular-season and tournament championships in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC). This victory continues an impressive legacy of championships for the trio, dating back to their successes at Port Allen High School.
Latest Championships
With the latest championships at LSUA, sophomore standout McQuillan has achieved an extraordinary six consecutive championship seasons, spanning high school and collegiate competition. After helping Port Allen to titles in 2022 and 2023—earning Most Outstanding Player honors in 2022 with 25 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, and two steals—McQuillan seamlessly transitioned to collegiate basketball, playing an integral role in LSUA’s recent back-to-back titles.
After McQuillan’s first two seasons at Port Allen, a pair of now familiar faces joined the program. Jackson was hired as the new head coach, and Howard moved from Olympia, Washington, to Port Allen. Prior to Port Allen, Jackson contributed significantly to Zachary High School’s elite basketball program under Coach Jon McClinton.
“I’m so thankful for my time at Zachary and Brusly before that,” Jackson said. “I learned a lot in such a short time at Zachary, and Coach Jon [McClinton] has built one of the best programs in the state. I was fortunate enough to coach Jordan Decuir, who is here now. Brandon Hardy and Jalen Bolden are both playing Division I basketball right now. We had three players who are now playing college ball; that’s not too normal.”
Reflecting on his Coaching Journey
Reflecting on his coaching journey, Jackson emphasized the importance of mentorship and opportunity, saying, “Then I step into a program like Port Allen, where Coach Jones had won two state championships. So, you’re walking into probably the hottest program in the state. Imagine a cat like myself, who had never been a head coach at the high school level, walking into that and having Jordan Brooks, EJ McQuillan, Jalen Knox, and Aries Lewis.”
Teaming with McQuillan and Jackson at LSUA is fellow Port Allen alum, guard Isaiah Howard, who quickly made his mark by earning Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) Co-Freshman of the Year honors during his inaugural collegiate season. The experience of playing for and winning championships at Port Allen helped McQuillan and Howard as underclassmen at LSUA, giving them a veteran confidence, though the pair credit their teammates for helping them the most.
The trio’s transition from high school champions to collegiate standouts has propelled LSUA’s basketball program to new heights. This season, LSUA clinched both the RRAC regular season and tournament championships, finishing with an impressive 30-2 record. McQuillan was named First Team All-RRAC and earned a spot on the RRAC All-Tournament Team, while Coach Jackson captured his second consecutive RRAC Coach of the Year award.
McQuillan credits his continued success to the camaraderie and collective support of his teammates. “My teammates, especially guys like Jason Perry II and Xavier Smith, give me confidence every game. I couldn’t have accomplished this without their support,” said McQuillan.
Howard praised the camaraderie and supportive environment fostered by his teammates and coaches. “When I arrived at LSUA, I didn’t know what to expect, but the support of Coach Jackson and my teammates made the transition seamless,” Howard said.
Coach Jackson echoes this sentiment, highlighting the significance of teamwork and community support. “Success is about having the right people around you,” Jackson noted. Having the right players and, as a head coach, having the right coaches by your side. I’ll never take full credit for anything. First, I give honor to God; I give honor to my wife – who allows me to be here – and Coach Dwayne and Coach Alissa. Having people like that, it’s what takes programs to the next level.”
The Generals play 4-seed Bethel College (Ind.) Friday at 5:00 p.m. in Kansas City’s Municipal Auditorium in the NAIA National Championship Round of 16. Tune in to watch the game online at https://naianetwork.com/.
Adapted from Caleb Dunlop
Image credit – LSUA Strategic Communications
Pictured [L-R] – Isaiah Howard, Dimario Jackson, EJ McQuillan
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