Myrtle Beach, SC – December 29, 2023 – The semifinal game of the 2023 Beach Ball Classic at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center witnessed a thrilling comeback as Bishop O’Connell (VA) edged out North Crowley (TX) with a 58-52 victory. The win improved Bishop O’Connell’s record to 10-2.
Bryson Tucker of Bishop O’Connell was the standout player, scoring a remarkable 28 points. His performance, particularly in the fourth quarter, was pivotal in turning the game around. Wyatt Norton’s 12 rebounds also played a significant role in the team’s success. For North Crowley, Kamoni Sieber and KD Davis made significant contributions, scoring 12 points each, with Davis also grabbing 10 rebounds.
The game was a tale of two halves. North Crowley led for most of the first half, with a strong third-quarter performance giving them a 44-35 lead. However, Bishop O’Connell’s remarkable comeback in the fourth quarter, where they outscored North Crowley 23-8, turned the tide. Tucker’s scoring spree in the final period was crucial in this turnaround.
North Crowley’s shooting percentages were a mixed bag, with a solid 50% from the field in the second half but only 33.3% from the three-point line and the free-throw line throughout the game. Bishop O’Connell’s shooting was more consistent, finishing at 43.4% from the field and 45.5% from beyond the arc.
One of the game’s critical moments came in the fourth quarter when Bishop O’Connell took the lead for the first time since the second quarter. Their defense, led by Norton and Alden Caulker, who had a key block and a steal in the fourth quarter, stymied North Crowley’s offense.
The game was closely officiated by Brock Needens, Jake Rosiek, and T. Werck, with both teams playing a relatively clean game devoid of technical fouls.
Bishop O’Connell’s victory sets them up for a challenging final in the Traditional Bracket of the 2023 Beach Ball Classic, while North Crowley, despite the loss, showed why they are one of the top teams in the country. Bishop O’Connell will face Great Crossing (KY) in the Traditional Bracket Final tomorrow at 7:15 PM to determine the Beach Ball Classic 2023 Championship.
[Source: Official Box Score, North Crowley (TX) vs Bishop O’Connell (VA)]
