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:
- Winston Salem Christian (NC):
- Bradley Floyd: 13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals
- Alex Pissis: 13 points, 3 rebounds
- Elton James: 9 points, 8 rebounds
- Tyson Thompson: 11 points, 4 rebounds
- Balboa (FL):
- Apolo Caetano: 19 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists
- BwaBwa Josue: 13 points, 7 rebounds
- Vito Albanese: 7 points, 2 rebounds
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.
(Photos By: Kyd B. Wilde | IG: KBWtheory)
