Jack Yates (TX) defeated Christ the King (NY) 97-91 in the opening round of the 2018 Beach Ball Classic at the Myrtle Beach (SC) Convention Center.
TURNING POINT: With the game tied at 45-45 at the half, the fast break action continued in the second half. Yates used as 8-0 run late in the second half to open a 91-82 lead with 3:58 to play. Christ the King closed the gap to two points at 93-91 with 34 seconds remaining but could get no closer as the Lions made four free throws in the final 26 seconds to hold on for the victory. The combined 188 points is the fourth highest combined score in a game in the 38-year history of the Beach Ball Classic. Pleasure Ridge Park (KY) defeated Socastee (SC) 120-91 to set the record of 211 points during the 1989 tourney.
JACK YATES STAT LEADERS: Joquarius Valrie led the Lions with 22 points and eight rebounds. Antwon Norman scored 19 points and Darry Brown and Rubin Jones added 18 points each for Yates. Brown also grabbed 15 rebounds.
CHRIST THE KING STAT LEADERS: Quaran McPherson paced CTK with 28 points and 10 rebounds while Nathaniel Curry added 17 points and 16 boards. Sterling Jones and Ryan Myers chipped in with 19 and 15 points, respectively.
RECORDS: Jack Yates13-1, Christ the King 4-4.
WHERE ARE THEY FROM: Christ the King – Middle Village, NY. Jack Yates – Houston, TX.
GAME STATS: Box Score
