MYRTLE BEACH, SC — Winston Salem Christian (15-3) wasted no time asserting dominance in the opening round of the 2024 Beach Ball Classic Prep Division, cruising to a 60-41 win over Berean Baptist Academy (11-6). Behind a balanced offense and stifling defense, the Lions took control early and never looked back.
The Lions were led by sharpshooter Alex Pissis, who poured in 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including three three-pointers. Tyson Thompson added nine points and five rebounds, while Josiah Johns Freeman chipped in 10 points, six rebounds, and three steals.
Winston Salem Christian established their dominance in the first quarter, using a 9-0 run to take an 18-11 lead. By halftime, they held a 35-24 advantage, fueled by relentless defensive pressure and efficiency on the boards. The Lions out-rebounded Berean Baptist 40-29, creating 12 second-chance points and capitalizing on turnovers for easy fast-break buckets.
Berean Baptist struggled to find offensive rhythm, shooting just 34.1% from the field and going 0-for-10 from beyond the arc. Justin Caldwell carried the Bulldogs with 17 points and six rebounds, but turnovers and missed opportunities doomed any chance of a comeback. Josiah King Sanders added 10 points and seven rebounds, but the supporting cast couldn’t keep pace with Winston Salem Christian’s depth.
“We knew their press was coming, but it’s one thing to prepare for it and another to face it,” said Berean Baptist coach James Strong. “They’re disciplined, fast, and make you pay for every mistake.”
On the other side, Lions coach Blake Shotwell praised his team’s defensive effort. “Our goal was to disrupt their ball handlers and control the paint, and I think we did just that. We had contributions from everyone, which is how we like to play.”
Winston Salem Christian’s bench added 13 points, highlighting their depth and versatility. Bradley Floyd came off the bench to score six points and grab five rebounds, further solidifying the Lions’ dominance in all facets of the game.
With the win, Winston Salem Christian moves on to the next round, where their balanced attack and tenacity make them a formidable contender. Berean Baptist, meanwhile, will regroup in the consolation bracket, hoping to bounce back after a tough outing against one of the tournament’s strongest teams.
Photos Courtesy of Kyd Wilde
