2025 United Bank Championship Division

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. Box Score (Photos By: Kyd B. Wilde | IG: KBWtheory)

MYRTLE BEACH, SC — CIA Bella Vista (AZ) saved its best for last, roaring to life in the fourth quarter to defeat 1 of 1 Prep Academy (NC) 77-66 in the championship game of the Beach Ball Classic Prep Division on Monday night. A balanced attack and a brilliant final period lifted Bella Vista to its first tournament crown. The Bears outscored 1 of 1 Prep Academy 30-17 in the final quarter, turning a nail-biter into a statement win. “This was a total team effort,” Bella Vista coach Brandon Rosenthal  said. “Our guys trusted each other, locked in on defense, and executed when it mattered most.” Neto Sparks the Bears Aginaldo Neto delivered when it mattered most, pouring in 22 points off the bench. The 6-foot-7 forward was unstoppable inside, hitting 8-of-12 from the field and 5-of-8 from the free-throw line. Miles Sadler also shined for the Bears, contributing 15 points, including three timely three-pointers, while adding four assists and four rebounds. Jaion Pitt was a steady presence in the paint, finishing with 13 points and seven boards. A Game of Runs 1 of 1 Prep Academy (15-2) didn’t go quietly. LJ Rush was a force throughout, scoring a game-high 23 points while battling through Bella Vista’s physical defense. Jeremiah Jackson chipped in 12 points, hitting three treys, but the team’s shooting struggles—just 25.8% from deep—were too much to overcome. “It wasn’t our best shooting night, but credit to Bella Vista—they played with poise and intensity,” 1 of 1 Prep Academy coach Jermaine Jackson said. The game featured 11 lead changes and five ties, with neither team able to build a commanding lead until Bella Vista’s fourth-quarter explosion. Closing Strong With 1 of 1 Prep leading 49-43 after 3 periods,  Bella Vista tightened the screws defensively and went on a 13-2 run, fueled by fast-break layups and precision passing. Neto’s putback with 2:30 remaining gave the Bears a double-digit lead, and they never looked back. 1 of 1 Prep’s Gevonte Ware tried to will his team back into the game, hitting a contested three with under a minute to play, but Bella Vista’s steady fast break points off turn overs and free-throw shooting sealed the victory. Key Stats Bella Vista dominated points off turnovers (16-6) and fast-break points (12-4), capitalizing on 1 of 1 Prep’s 11 giveaways. The Bears’ bench also outscored their counterparts 32-15, a testament to their depth. What’s Next? For Bella Vista, the victory capped an impressive tournament run and solidified their reputation as one of the nation’s top prep programs. 1 of 1 Prep will regroup, knowing they fell short against a worthy opponent but showcased their talent on a big stage. As the final buzzer sounded, Bella Vista’s players celebrated with the championship trophy held high—a fitting end to a thrilling week at the Beach Ball Classic Prep Championship. Box Score (Photos By: Kyd B. Wilde | IG: KBWtheory)

MYRTLE BEACH, SC — Great Crossing’s Malachi Moreno turned the third-place game of the Beach Ball Classic into his personal showcase, and Ridge View simply had no answer. Moreno’s dominant 31-point, 17-rebound performance propelled the Warhawks to a 74-62 victory on Monday afternoon at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. The 6-foot-11 big man was a force in the paint, shooting a blistering 13-of-16 from the field while controlling the glass on both ends. “This was about setting the tone early,” Moreno said. “We wanted to leave here on a high note, and I just tried to do my part.” A Statement Start Great Crossing (9-4) came out firing, opening with a 21-point first quarter behind Moreno’s relentless attack and Vince Dawson’s sharpshooting. Dawson, who finished with 14 points and six rebounds, knocked down three triples, giving the Warhawks an edge they never relinquished. Ridge View (6-7) kept things close early, led by Korie Corbett’s 17 points and four rebounds. But the Blazers struggled mightily from beyond the arc, shooting just 4-of-27 for the game, which proved to be their undoing. Second-Half Surge After a competitive first half that saw Great Crossing take a 36-29 lead into the locker room, the Warhawks broke the game wide open in the third quarter. Moreno scored 12 of his 31 points during a 23-point frame for Great Crossing, including a pair of thunderous dunks that brought the crowd to its feet. Late Push Falls Short for Ridge View Ridge View made a spirited run in the fourth quarter, cutting a 24-point deficit to 12 in the final minutes. Yale Davis (13 points, four rebounds) and Talan Staley (five points, two steals) provided a spark, but the Blazers couldn’t overcome their shooting woes or slow Moreno’s dominance. Key Stats Tell the Story Great Crossing shot a scorching 65.1% from the field, compared to Ridge View’s 33.3%. The Warhawks also dominated the paint with 42 points inside, a testament to Moreno’s presence. Ridge View, meanwhile, relied heavily on its bench, which contributed 24 points but couldn’t offset the team’s poor shooting from deep. What’s Next? For Great Crossing, the victory capped a strong showing at the Beach Ball Classic, with Moreno cementing his status as one of the tournament’s standout performers. Ridge View, meanwhile, will regroup after a tough week but showed flashes of promise with their young core. As the sun sets on another thrilling edition of the Beach Ball Classic, one thing is clear: Malachi Moreno and Great Crossing made sure their final game was one to remember. Box Score (Photos By: Kyd B. Wilde | IG: KBWtheory)

Myrtle Beach, SC — Winston Salem Christian (NC) turned the Prep Bracket third-place game of the 2024 Beach Ball Classic into a clinic on efficiency and control, dispatching Balboa (FL) 66-53 behind a balanced attack and suffocating defense. From the opening tip, it was clear Winston Salem Christian had come to play. They dominated the paint, outscoring Balboa 42-20 inside and turning 13 steals into 28 points off turnovers. Forward Elton James anchored the Lions’ inside presence with 9 points and 8 rebounds, while Alex Pissis lit it up from deep, hitting three triples en route to a 13-point performance off the bench. The Lions surged to a 37-22 halftime lead, fueled by Bradley Floyd’s aggressive play. Floyd finished with a team-high 13 points and added five rebounds and three steals, repeatedly disrupting Balboa’s offensive flow. Balboa showed flashes of resilience in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to single digits at one point behind Apolo Caetano’s 19-point outing. The senior guard was nearly perfect at the free-throw line, sinking all seven attempts, and chipped in five rebounds and five assists to keep the Sharks afloat. But Winston Salem’s depth proved too much to overcome. Pissis and Nicholas McLean combined for 19 points off the bench, giving the Lions a crucial lift whenever Balboa threatened to gain momentum. Balboa’s struggles were evident in their shooting numbers. The Sharks managed just 37.2% from the field and hit only five of their 15 three-point attempts. Jahmarian Forrester, usually a reliable scoring option, couldn’t find his rhythm, finishing 1-of-9 from the field with just three points. Key Stats: Turning Point: Winston Salem used a 21-point second quarter to break the game open, taking advantage of Balboa’s 11 first-half turnovers. Their stifling defense and dominance on the boards—outrebounding Balboa 32-28—kept the Sharks at arm’s length for the rest of the game. What’s Next: Winston Salem Christian finishes their tournament run on a high note, improving to 16-4 and solidifying their reputation as a disciplined, well-rounded squad. Balboa, now 11-9, will look to regroup and build on the positives from a tough tournament schedule. In a tournament showcasing some of the nation’s best prep talent, Winston Salem Christian stood out as a team that wins not with flash, but with fundamentals. And in the end, that was more than enough. Box Score  (Photos By: Kyd B. Wilde | IG: KBWtheory)

Myrtle Beach, SC — The fifth-place game in the 2024 Beach Ball Classic Traditional Division was a grinder, a game where every point had to be earned. Archbishop Moeller (OH) brought a disciplined approach on both ends of the floor, pulling away late to secure a 50-36 win over Windermere Prep (FL). For the Crusaders, it was a textbook example of persistence paying off. They weathered Windermere’s scrappy start and leaned on superior rebounding and second-chance opportunities to dictate the game. Cooper McCutchan led the charge, posting a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds, dominating the paint and setting the tone for Moeller’s gritty performance. The first half was a slog, with both teams struggling to find offensive rhythm. Moeller clung to a narrow 17-15 lead at halftime, thanks largely to its defense. Windermere, meanwhile, struggled to convert open looks, shooting just 27.3% from the field in the first half. Still, Windermere’s Samuel Shoptaw gave the Lakers hope, scoring 15 points and pulling down six rebounds. His three triples kept Windermere within striking distance as the teams traded the lead 14 times in the first three quarters. But the fourth quarter was all Moeller. The Crusaders’ defense tightened the screws, holding Windermere to just seven points in the final frame. Zach Green hit a crucial three-pointer to spark a 10-0 run, while Alex Kazanecki drained three from deep en route to an 11-point, 12-rebound performance. That control was evident in the second-chance points column, where Moeller outscored Windermere 17-0. And while Windermere fought hard, their inability to capitalize on opportunities proved costly. Brandon Bass struggled mightily, shooting just 1-of-11 from the field despite going 5-of-6 at the free-throw line to finish with seven points. Key Stats: Turning Point: Midway through the fourth quarter, Moeller’s Zach Green drilled a three-pointer to stretch the lead to nine. The Crusaders never looked back, dominating the boards and shutting down Windermere’s offense down the stretch. What’s Next: With the win, Archbishop Moeller (8-1) leaves Myrtle Beach on a high note, showcasing a style of play that could carry them deep into the postseason. Windermere Prep (8-7) heads home with plenty of lessons learned and a resolve to improve their offensive efficiency in upcoming games. In a game where style took a backseat to substance, Archbishop Moeller proved they could do the dirty work and still come out on top. Box Score (Photos By: Kyd B. Wilde | IG: KBWtheory)

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: 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. Box Score (Photos By: Kyd B. Wilde | IG: KBWtheory)