Gainesville, FL

The Santa Fe Saints Men's Basketball team wrapped up their 2024–25 season with John Ritzdorf in his first year leading the program. The year could be described as transitional, marked by a rebuilding process and plenty of signs of a bright future under Ritzdorf's tenure. While the 11–20 overall record and 6–10 conference mark reflect work to be done, the season featured important milestones such as securing a spot in the Citrus Conference Tournament Play-In Game and sending a handful of players to sign at four-year schools.

Riddled by injuries and a slow 2-6 start to the season, Ritzdorf's team saw their season turn positive after crossing the 100-point threshold vs. Mid Florida Academy in a 102-78 win on November 26^th. Led by a strong group of sophomore players, the Saints had plenty of veteran leadership and were able to win both high and low scoring affairs, an attribute necessary to survive in the Citrus conference.

The 2024-25 group shot the 3-ball at a rate no other Saints squad has been able to do: putting up 899 shots and cashing in on 303 of them, above 30% on the year.

Karmello Branch was the primary scoring option for the Saints, especially down the stretch. Averaging 21.4 points off 44% shooting, Branch was a serious problem for opposing teams and was named FCSAA player of the week on four separate occasions (no player had more than two). Branch was featured as a member of the First Team All-Citrus Conference and was also named First-Team All-FCSAA. In his two-year career, Branch scored 908 points (10^th all time), grabbed 262 rebounds (45^th all time), and dished out 169 assists (24^th all time).

Predrag Panisic, another second-year player for Santa Fe, scored 558 points in his career, 49^th all time. Not only did he score the ball, Panisic snatched 303 rebounds, good for 29^th all-time and was a key part of the roster. At the Players Choice Awards, Panisic was awarded the Sunshine Award. Panisic has made a significant impact not only in the community, but with the college and athletic department through his service and volunteering. His selfless contributions have promoted athletics in the community, the social wellbeing of others, and enhanced the college in all aspects.

Ryan Webster was honored with the Hal Chasey Award, presented to the top FCSAA Men's Basketball scholar-athlete. Webster's high academic focus paired with his athletic performance on the court made him stand out when compared to all other players in the state. Webster averaged 10.9 points while shooting just under 42% from 3 and added 2.8 assists per game. In addition to the Hal Chasey Award, Webster was named to the 2024 Fall and 2025 Spring All-Saints Academic Team, 2024-25 FCSAA Academic All-State, 2024-25 NJCAA All-Academic, 2024-25 COSIDA All American, and 2024-25 Academic All District by College Sports Communicators.

The Saints had five total players commit to four-year schools to continue their careers.

Karmello Branch – University of Missouri Kansas City - Story

Connor Morris – University of Texas Permian Basin- Story

Joshua Watkins – The Masters University - Story

Ryan Webster – Coker University - Story

Predrag Panisic – Converse University - Story

In total, six Men's Basketball student-athletes were named to the All-Saints Team, a list signifying a GPA kept above a 3.0.

Cole Gullikson received the Dr. Portia Taylor award for Men's Basketball at the Players Choice Awards. Given to a member of each of Santa Fe's five athletic teams, the Dr. Portia Taylor award honors the former vice president for her constant efforts and countless resources allocated for student athletes to invest more of themselves in academics. Gullikson remained focused on his academics throughout the course of his season while contributing to the team day in and day out.