Bella Vista (AZ) vs Pace Academy (TX)

Recap

Bella Vista Dominates Pace Academy in Beach Ball Classic Blowout

MYRTLE BEACH, SC — If the opening round of the Beach Ball Classic Prep Division was about making statements, Bella Vista Prep (8-1) screamed theirs loud and clear with a 94-51 dismantling of Pace Academy (6-3) on Thursday afternoon.

From start to finish, Bella Vista was the definition of efficiency and dominance. The Bears shot an eye-popping 71.2% from the field, with nine different players contributing to their offensive explosion. Miles Sadler led the charge with 15 points and seven assists, orchestrating a relentless attack that overwhelmed the Knights.

Aliou Dioum was a force inside, racking up 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting while hauling in 11 rebounds. Lucas Toukam chipped in 14 points and five boards, and Aginaldo Neto came off the bench to add 16 points and four assists in a near-flawless 21 minutes of play.

By halftime, the writing was on the wall. Bella Vista led 47-19, holding Pace to just 23.1% shooting in the first half while converting 72% of their own shots. The Bears dominated in the paint, outscoring the Knights 56-20 and adding 18 fast-break points for good measure.

For Pace, Lyndell Buckingham battled valiantly, scoring a game-high 21 points, but the Knights struggled to find any offensive consistency. They shot just 28.6% for the game and made only 4-of-20 three-pointers. Amarion Blythe added nine points and three steals, but turnovers (14) and a lack of second-chance opportunities doomed Pace early.

Bella Vista also showcased their depth, with their bench outscoring Pace’s reserves 31-3. Their defense swarmed the Knights, forcing tough shots and limiting Pace to just three second-chance points.

The fourth quarter was merely a formality as Bella Vista extended their lead to as many as 44 points. By the time the final buzzer sounded, they had put the rest of the tournament on notice.

Bella Vista advances to the next round, where they’ll look to build on this dominant performance. As for Pace Academy, they’ll regroup in the consolation bracket, hoping to bounce back after facing one of the nation’s premier prep squads.

Box Score