MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – George Washington High School closed with authority in the second half to defeat Deep Creek 60 to 51 on Sunday afternoon and claim the John Rhodes Division championship of the 2025 Beach Ball Classic Holiday Invitational at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.
After being held to just four points in the first quarter, the unbeaten Patriots settled in and steadily seized control, outscoring Deep Creek 56 to 35 over the final three periods. George Washington shot 57.1 percent in the second half and dominated the paint, finishing with a 36 to 14 advantage inside.
Jeriyah Pryor led the charge with a game high 24 points, adding nine rebounds, three assists, and a block. Adyston Gumm provided a timely scoring lift, hitting three three pointers and finishing with 15 points, while Zikeryah Myers was perfect from the floor and scored 10 points off the bench.
Deep Creek jumped out to a 16 to 4 lead after one quarter and pushed the margin to as many as 19 midway through the second. Morgan Herbert carried the Hornets offensively, pouring in 35 points on 12 of 20 shooting while grabbing 14 rebounds. Cherish Brehon added eight points and six rebounds as Deep Creek built a 33 to 26 halftime advantage.
Momentum shifted quickly after the break. George Washington opened the third quarter with defensive pressure that fueled a 17 to 5 run, erasing the deficit and turning the game in its favor. The Patriots took their first lead early in the fourth quarter and never gave it back, closing strong at the free throw line and on consecutive interior baskets in the final minute.
George Washington improved to 7 and 0 on the season with the championship win. Deep Creek, now 5 and 2, finished runner up after leading for more than half the game.
The Beach Ball Classic title capped a resilient performance for George Washington, which overcame a slow start to deliver its best basketball when it mattered most.
