Shipbuilders Brandon and Corey Joyner recently celebrated their own version of March Madness: Both brothers served on coaching staffs that won basketball championships.

Brandon Joyner, an X36 crane rigger, serves as assistant coach of The Apprentice School men’s basketball team, which won the USCAA Division 1 Small College National Championship on March 13.

Less than a week earlier, the Virginia Class 4 state championship went to Hampton High School, where Corey Joyner, an X43 outside machinist, is the assistant coach.

It was a whirlwind time for the Joyner family, who have close ties to Newport News Shipbuilding. Their father, Rickie (X36), is a master shipbuilder, and their older brother, Andre (X11) has worked at NNS for 14 years. Their mother, Stephanie, just might be their biggest fan.

Brandon, 29, and Corey, 24, had stellar basketball careers in their own right. Both played for Hampton High School and The Apprentice School. Brandon won a state championship at Hampton and became one of the best 3-point shooters in The Apprentice School’s history. Corey holds a Builders’ school record for assists. For a time, their careers intersected and they played together on the Apprentice team.

This year, both brothers knew they had good teams heading into the season.

The previous year, the Builders lost a close game in the final four. Brandon said the Apprentice athletes came into this season with a mission.

“I could tell that everyone was persistent,” he said. “They showed up every day and worked hard.”

At Hampton High School, the team had a good summer leading up to the season, Corey said. Once the season began, “it was all about being dedicated, making sure you’re staying in the gym, focusing on school and family,” he said, “and pushing all the outside stuff to the side.”

The brothers credit their family with providing support and a rock-hard foundation that allowed them to excel. From playing basketball as kids in their driveway to high-profile tournaments, the family was always in their corner.

When the Builders won their championship, it gave the family two monumental victories in the space of a few days, and the emotions flowed.

“I tried my best to hold in all my tears in front of everybody,” Corey said.

As shipbuilders, they are now pursuing a different kind of excellence. Making the transition from player to coach has helped them mature and grow as leaders.

“At first, coaching was tough,” Brandon admitted. “I was trying to see my work ethic in them. Then I started reading books on leadership. I realized you can’t view yourself in everyone else. I started relating with the guys more, and they started listening.”

Brandon said coaching taught him to have patience, and to realize that people have things going on in their lives that you don’t know about. You need to consider that when dealing with them.

Corey said he is normally laid back, and coaching brought him out of his shell. That’s been an improvement.

“Now I’m stepping out of my zone, getting used to talking to people – players, parents, other coaches – learning more, and seeing what they want to do,” he said.