MYRTLE BEACH, SC — It wasn’t always pretty, but St. John’s College (11-2) found a way to win when it mattered most. The Cadets held off Great Crossing (8-4) in a tense 65-61 semifinal battle at the 2024 Beach Ball Classic, showcasing grit and depth on their way to the championship game.
This one had it all: lead changes (10, to be exact), a battle in the paint, and a game that was tied twice before St. John’s finally wrestled control in the fourth quarter. The Cadets leaned on Omari Witherspoon, who dropped 15 points, including a clutch three-pointer early in the fourth that set the tone for the final stretch.
The game started with Great Crossing looking like the aggressor. Malachi Moreno was a force in the post, recording a double-double with 16 points and 15 rebounds while swatting five shots. Vince Dawson added 14 points, keeping the Warhawks within striking distance throughout.
St. John’s, however, turned the tide with their bench. While Great Crossing’s reserves were held scoreless, St. John’s got 16 points from their backups, led by Jymin Veney’s energy and Finley Billy’s timely three-pointer in the second quarter. The Cadets’ bench proved to be the X-factor, especially when foul trouble forced the starters to sit.
The Warhawks had their chances, leading by seven midway through the second quarter. But turnovers (20 in total) and missed free throws (9-for-18)haunted them, allowing St. John’s to hang around. The Cadets capitalized, forcing 23 points off turnovers and dominating second-chance opportunities, 19-9.
Devin Toatley added 14 points for St. John’s, including a pair of highlight-reel drives to the basket in the second half. Zyion Chase was steady, finishing with 12 points and five rebounds, while Geremy Clark chipped in with four boards and four assists.
For Great Crossing, the loss stung. “We played well enough to win, but the little things cost us,” Great Crossings coach Steve Page said. “Credit to St. John’s—they made the plays when it counted.”
With the win, St. John’s advances to the Beach Ball Classic championship, where they’ll look to cap their tournament run with a trophy. Great Crossing, meanwhile, will regroup in the third-place game, knowing they pushed one of the tournament’s top teams to the brink.
