Myrtle Beach, SC — The fifth-place Prep Division game at the 2024 Beach Ball Classic won’t be remembered for flashy plays or high-flying theatrics, but Pace Academy (TX) proved that grit and grind can get the job done, edging out Our Savior Lutheran (NY) 48-45 in a defensive slugfest.
This wasn’t a game for the faint of heart. Both teams struggled to find offensive rhythm, but Pace Academy’s discipline and timely shooting—particularlyfrom Aeneas Alexander—made the difference.
Alexander, the glue for Pace, led all scorers with 21 points on 6-of-13 shooting, including three triples. Alexander also added eight rebounds, playing with the kind of poise that’s become his calling card. When his team needed a steady hand to fend off a fourth-quarter charge from Our Savior Lutheran, Alexander delivered with clutch free throws and a critical three-pointer late in the game.
The contest featured five ties and five lead changes, but Pace Academy seized control in the third quarter with a 15-11 edge, stretching their lead to as many as 14 points. Lyndell Buckingham and Amarion Blythe contributed nine points apiece, with Buckingham adding four assists to keep the offense moving.
But it was the defense that defined this win. Pace forced 18 turnovers and hounded Our Savior Lutheran into just 26.7% shooting from beyond the arc.
Our Savior Lutheran fought valiantly, refusing to go quietly in the fourth quarter. Their bench provided a spark, led by Jacob Evans, who poured in nine points on 4-of-5 shooting. LJ Saunders chipped in eight points and four steals, but the team’s struggles at the free-throw line (5-of-11) and turnovers proved costly.
The final minute was emblematic of the game as a whole—scrappy and tense. A late bucket from OSL’s Marten Alles trimmed the deficit to three, but Pace held firm, sealing the win with disciplined defense and clock management.
Key Stats:
- Pace Academy (TX):
- Aeneas Alexander: 21 points, 8 rebounds
- Lyndell Buckingham: 9 points, 4 assists
- Amarion Blythe: 9 points, 4 rebounds
- Our Savior Lutheran (NY):
- Jacob Evans: 9 points off the bench
- LJ Saunders: 8 points, 4 steals
- Tyler Green: 5 points, 2 steals
Turning Point:
Midway through the third quarter, Pace Academy clamped down on defense, forcing turnovers on consecutive possessions and turning them into fast-break points. Alexander’s three-pointer with just over five minutes left in the third extended the lead to double digits, and OSL never fully recovered.
Looking Ahead:
Pace Academy finishes their Beach Ball Classic run with a hard-earned fifth-place finish, improving to 9-3 on the season. Meanwhile, Our Savior Lutheran drops to 10-4 but showed resilience and depth that will serve them well moving forward.
In a game that wasn’t about style points, Pace Academy’s substance carried the day—and perhaps a valuable lesson for the stretch run of the season.
(Photos By: Kyd B. Wilde | IG: KBWtheory)
