Published: February 16, 2026
MONROVIA — Shawnee State University men’s basketball coach Fred Lymas has become the first Liberian-born coach to lead the Bears to a River States Conference regular-season championship, capping a turnaround season in his first year at the helm.
Shawnee State secured the top spot in the conference standings ahead of the River States Conference (RSC) tournament, which begins with quarterfinal games Feb. 25, followed by semifinals Feb. 28 and the championship game March 3. Higher-seeded teams will host each round.
“This team has battled through adversity in every conference game this season,” Lymas said. “We’ve been unselfish on offense, with seven players averaging 10 points or more, and our defense, led by Coach Bryce Beavers, ranks among the top nationally in points allowed.”
Balanced Team Drives Title Run
The Bears’ success has been built on scoring balance and defensive discipline. Multiple double-digit scorers have allowed Shawnee State to maintain offensive consistency, while its defense has limited opponents’ scoring across conference play.
The team closed its home schedule Feb. 14 with a 95-75 victory over St. Mary-of-the-Woods and will finish the regular season on the road against Kentucky Christian on Feb. 17 and Midway on Feb. 21 before entering the postseason.
The River States Conference is part of the NAIA collegiate athletics system and includes universities across Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia.
First-Year Coach Makes Immediate Impact
Lymas was appointed Shawnee State’s sixth head coach in July 2025 after serving as an assistant at Florida A&M University under coach Patrick Crarey II.
“Winning the program’s first regular-season title in my first year means a lot,” Lymas said. “We’ve been motivated all year to change the narrative and prove the doubters wrong.”
He credited athletic director Gerald Cadogan and his players for embracing a new system and maintaining consistency throughout the season.
Coaching and Playing Background
Lymas began his coaching career at Washington Adventist University, helping the program reach consecutive USCAA Tournament appearances. He later worked at St. Thomas University and Barry University in Florida and served as head coach at Avant Garde High School, where he guided the team to its first winning season and a state tournament appearance.
As a player, Lymas signed with Division I Morgan State University before transferring to Shepherd University, where he became a three-year starter, two-time team captain and scored more than 1,000 career points while finishing among the program’s top assist leaders.
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