MYRTLE BEACH, SC — CIA Bella Vista (AZ) saved its best for last, roaring to life in the fourth quarter to defeat 1 of 1 Prep Academy (NC) 77-66 in the championship game of the Beach Ball Classic Prep Division on Monday night.
A balanced attack and a brilliant final period lifted Bella Vista to its first tournament crown. The Bears outscored 1 of 1 Prep Academy 30-17 in the final quarter, turning a nail-biter into a statement win.
“This was a total team effort,” Bella Vista coach Brandon Rosenthal said. “Our guys trusted each other, locked in on defense, and executed when it mattered most.”
Neto Sparks the Bears
Aginaldo Neto delivered when it mattered most, pouring in 22 points off the bench. The 6-foot-7 forward was unstoppable inside, hitting 8-of-12 from the field and 5-of-8 from the free-throw line.
Miles Sadler also shined for the Bears, contributing 15 points, including three timely three-pointers, while adding four assists and four rebounds. Jaion Pitt was a steady presence in the paint, finishing with 13 points and seven boards.
A Game of Runs
1 of 1 Prep Academy (15-2) didn’t go quietly. LJ Rush was a force throughout, scoring a game-high 23 points while battling through Bella Vista’s physical defense. Jeremiah Jackson chipped in 12 points, hitting three treys, but the team’s shooting struggles—just 25.8% from deep—were too much to overcome.
“It wasn’t our best shooting night, but credit to Bella Vista—they played with poise and intensity,” 1 of 1 Prep Academy coach Jermaine Jackson said.
The game featured 11 lead changes and five ties, with neither team able to build a commanding lead until Bella Vista’s fourth-quarter explosion.
Closing Strong
With 1 of 1 Prep leading 49-43 after 3 periods, Bella Vista tightened the screws defensively and went on a 13-2 run, fueled by fast-break layups and precision passing. Neto’s putback with 2:30 remaining gave the Bears a double-digit lead, and they never looked back.
1 of 1 Prep’s Gevonte Ware tried to will his team back into the game, hitting a contested three with under a minute to play, but Bella Vista’s steady fast break points off turn overs and free-throw shooting sealed the victory.
Key Stats
Bella Vista dominated points off turnovers (16-6) and fast-break points (12-4), capitalizing on 1 of 1 Prep’s 11 giveaways. The Bears’ bench also outscored their counterparts 32-15, a testament to their depth.
What’s Next?
For Bella Vista, the victory capped an impressive tournament run and solidified their reputation as one of the nation’s top prep programs. 1 of 1 Prep will regroup, knowing they fell short against a worthy opponent but showcased their talent on a big stage.
As the final buzzer sounded, Bella Vista’s players celebrated with the championship trophy held high—a fitting end to a thrilling week at the Beach Ball Classic Prep Championship.
(Photos By: Kyd B. Wilde | IG: KBWtheory)
