DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – DME Academy’s U18 girls basketball team made history by capturing the Chipotle Nationals Championship, capping off an exceptional run against the nation’s top competition and finishing the tournament with three straight statement wins.
Entering Chipotle Nationals with an impressive 22-4 record, DME Academy earned the No. 5 seed and opened tournament play against No. 4 seed Long Island Lutheran (LUHI). DME secured a hard-fought 55-50 victory, led by GiGi Battle, who was named Player of the Game after posting 16 points and 9 rebounds.
In the semifinal, DME faced tournament favorite and No. 1 seed St. James Academy. DME rose to the occasion with a commanding 60-50 win, powered by Sara Okeke, who earned Player of the Game honors with 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 block.
The championship game saw DME take on No. 3 seed Bull’s, where the team delivered its most dominant performance of the tournament in a 68-49 victory to claim the national title. GiGi Battle once again earned Player of the Game honors with a remarkable all-around performance of 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists, finishing just shy of a triple-double.
Battle’s outstanding tournament performance also earned her Tournament MVP honors. Sara Okeke and Timani Harris were both named to the All-Tournament Team.
While the accolades highlight some of the tournament’s standout performances, DME’s championship run was built on a complete team effort from start to finish.
“This was a full team effort in every sense,” DME Academy’s Girls Coach Matt Pannagio said. “Every player contributed something meaningful to this championship run. Their toughness, belief, and unselfishness showed up in every game. It was an amazing thing to witness and be a part of. These girls made history.”
The championship marks a landmark moment for DME Academy girls’ basketball and further establishes the program as one of the premier forces in high school basketball.
For DME Academy, this title was more than a tournament win. It was a defining statement about the strength of the program, the character of the team, and the history this group created together.
Daytona Beach, FL — DME Academy proudly announces the appointment of Seth Brown as its new President, marking a key step in the academy’s continued growth and long-term vision.
Brown is a senior executive leader with a strong record of driving enrollment growth, revenue strategy, and organizational scale across education and sports-focused institutions. His experience includes leading organizations through launch, turnaround, and expansion phases, partnering closely with founders, CEOs, Boards, and senior leadership teams to align strategy with execution.
Most recently, Brown served as Senior Vice President of Sales & Enrollment at a nationally recognized sports academy, where he helped design and launch a new academic and athletic institution. He led revenue modeling, enrollment strategy, system implementation, and team development. Earlier in his career, he directed enrollment strategy within a global boarding school environment, led advancement efforts at a public college during a period of transformation, and spent more than two decades in soccer leadership across youth, collegiate, and professional levels.
For DME Academy’s founders, Daniel and Mike Panaggio, the partnership reflects strategic alignment and shared vision.
“Seth’s experience at the intersection of strategy, systems, and growth aligns perfectly with where DME is headed,” said Daniel and Mike Panaggio. “As we elevate our academic and athletic model, his leadership strengthens our operational foundation and positions us for sustained success.”
As President, Brown will oversee day-to-day operations, working closely with faculty, staff, and families to strengthen systems, support enrollment, and enhance the student experience. Daniel and Mike Panaggio will remain actively engaged in long-term strategy and mission alignment.
Brown shared:
“DME Academy has built a strong platform rooted in high expectations and opportunity. I’m excited to partner with the founders and team to build scalable systems, support our families, and help position the academy for long-term growth.”
About DME Academy
DME Academy, located in Daytona Beach, Florida, is a nationally recognized, sports-focused educational institution serving student-athletes from across the country and internationally. The academy integrates college-preparatory academics with elite athletic training, emphasizing discipline, character development, and college readiness. Through continued investment in leadership and program excellence, DME Academy remains focused on delivering an exceptional student experience while building for the future.
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