St Johns (DC) vs Myrtle Beach (SC)

Recap

St. John’s College Dominates Myrtle Beach in Beach Ball Classic Opener

MYRTLE BEACH, SC — St. John’s College (10-2) delivered a commanding performance to defeat Myrtle Beach High School (5-3) with a resounding 81-30 victory in the opening round of the 2024 Beach Ball Classic Traditional Division.

St. John’s College showcased their depth and defensive intensity, forcing 35 turnovers and converting them into 53 points. Omari Witherspoon and Jon Barton led the Cadets with nine points each, while 14 different players contributed to the scoring. The Cadets also dominated inside, scoring 56 points in the paint and outrebounding Myrtle Beach 30-28.

The game started with Myrtle Beach taking an early lead, but St. John’s quickly responded, closing the first quarter with a 16-10 advantage. They built momentum in the second quarter, outscoring Myrtle Beach 23-10 to take a commanding 39-20 halftime lead. The second half saw the Cadets accelerate, holding the Seahawks to just 10 points over the final two quarters while scoring 42.

St. John’s depth was on full display as their bench accounted for 49 of the team’s 81 points. Jymin Veney added 10 points and three rebounds off the bench, and Kaiden Augueta chipped in five points, including a three-pointer.

For Myrtle Beach, James Watson led with 11 points, but turnovers and cold shooting plagued the Seahawks. They managed just 34.3% shooting from the field and went 2-for-10 from beyond the arc. Matthew Campbell contributed eight points and seven rebounds, but the team’s struggles against the Cadets’ relentless press were evident.

St. John’s also capitalized on their second-chance opportunities, scoring 16 points off offensive rebounds and limiting Myrtle Beach to just five second-chance points. The Seahawks couldn’t overcome the Cadets’ smothering defense and relentless pace.

With the win, St. John’s advances to the next round of the Traditional Division, solidifying their status as a tournament favorite. Myrtle Beach will look to regroup in the consolation bracket after facing one of the toughest defenses in the field.

Full Box Score