MYRTLE BEACH, SC — Championship moments are earned, and Bishop O’Connell (VA) seized theirs in the final minutes of the Beach Ball Classic traditional division finale. With a ferocious second-half comeback, the Knights edged St. John’s College (DC) 57-52 to claim the title in a game that delivered all the drama a championship should.
Trailing by six at halftime, Bishop O’Connell flipped the script, holding St. John’s to just 21 points in the second half while finding timely baskets from their leaders.
“This was about toughness and execution,” said Knights coach John Wooten. “We kept our heads down, locked in defensively, and trusted the process.”
Big-Time Players Make Big-Time Plays
Darius Bivins lived up to the moment, leading the Knights with 18 points, including a dagger three-pointer late in the fourth quarter that gave Bishop O’Connell breathing room. Bivins also added six rebounds and two steals, setting the tone on both ends of the court.
“My teammates believe in me, and I believe in them,” Bivins said. “It’s a team effort, and we all stepped up tonight.”
Makel Minor was equally critical, pouring in 16 points while shooting an efficient 7-of-12 from the field. Forward Liam Koelsch anchored the paint with 10 points and a game-high eight rebounds, helping O’Connell win the battle inside.
St. John’s Fades Late
For St. John’s College (12-2), the game slipped away after a strong first half that saw them shoot 55% from the field and build a 31-23 lead. Guard Devin Toatley paced the Cadets with 13 points, while Geremy Clark added seven points and three rebounds off the bench.
However, the Cadets’ offense sputtered in the second half, shooting just 24% as turnovers and missed opportunities mounted.
“We didn’t execute the way we needed to down the stretch,” said St. John’s coach Patrick O’Connor. “O’Connell made plays, and we couldn’t get the shots to fall when it mattered the most.”
Turning Point
The game’s pivotal moment came early in the fourth quarter, with the Knights trailing by two. Back-to-back buckets from Minor and a putback by Koelsch sparked a 9-2 run, giving O’Connell the lead for good.
St. John’s had a chance to tie with under a minute remaining, but a contested three-pointer by Toatley rimmed out, and Bivins sealed the game with two free throws.
Key Stats
Bishop O’Connell won the points-in-the-paint battle 30-18, a testament to their physicality. They also capitalized on turnovers, scoring 13 points off St. John’s miscues.
St. John’s bench outscored O’Connell’s 20-5, but it wasn’t enough to overcome their shooting struggles and the Knights’ late-game heroics.
What’s Next?
For Bishop O’Connell, the victory is a testament to their growth as a team and sets the tone for the rest of their season.
“This was a huge win for us,” Wooten said. “We’re going to enjoy it tonight, but we know there’s still a lot of work to do.”
As for St. John’s, the loss stings but provides a learning opportunity as they look to build on their strong start to the season.
“We’ll bounce back,” O’Connor said. “This is just one chapter in our story.”
In the end, Bishop O’Connell’s resilience earned them their 3rd Beach Ball Classic crown in 15 trips to the tournament, proving once again that championships are won by those who refuse to back down.
(Photos By: Kyd B. Wilde | IG: KBWtheory)
