Beach Ball Classic to feature top talent from East, West and everywhere in between
No region of the contiguous United States was overlooked in amassing talented teams and players for the 35th annual Beach Ball Classic being played Saturday through Thursday at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.
Montverde of Florida is annually one of the top teams on the East Coast, Mater Dei of California is annually one of the best teams on the West Coast, and a host of accomplished players and teams in between including Mustang of Oklahoma, St. John’s of Washington, D.C., Poca of West Virginia and Shadow Mountain of Arizona are all participating this week.
“When you bring in Montverde, which is a three-time national champion, along with Mater Dei, another one of the national powerhouse programs year in and year out, to the Beach Ball you’re looking forward to an exciting tournament,” said Kevin Schneider, vice president and national recruiting coordinator for Big Shots, a Myrtle Beach-based basketball scouting, recruiting and tournament/camp service. “Both of those teams each have 10-plus Division I prospects.
“And there are other teams in the event that are top 25-caliber teams because they’re going to win a lot of games and win state titles.”
Montverde and Mater Dei are on opposite sides of the tournament bracket so they are favored to meet in the championship game.
Montverde’s stars last year included Ben Simmons, who is now at LSU and a prospective No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. This year’s Montverde stars along a big and talented frontcourt include 6-10 senior center Micah Potter, who is committed to Ohio State, sophomore 6-8 power forward Silvio DeSousa, sophomore 6-10 forward E.J. Montgomery and 6-6 forward R.J. Barrett. Schneider has Barrett ranked as the No. 3 freshman in the country, and his older teammates as the Nos. 2 and 3 sophomores in the nation. “Those three players are the elite of the elite of their classes,” said Schneider, who broke down the Beach Ball’s team and players for The Sun News. “DeSousa is like an Andrew Wiggins type, a dunk everything highlight reel.”
Montverde was ranked No. 1 in the country by USA Today but is coming off a one-point loss to No. 2 Chino Hills (Calif.) on Monday.
Mater Dei has a bevy of stars, including 6-9 senior power forward M.J. Cage, who is committed to Oregon, sophomore point guard Spencer Freedman, who has been offered by Southern Cal and other schools, and a few other athletic players 6-6 or taller. “They know how to win,” Schneider said. “Both teams pride themselves on defense and that’s what they build off, and offensively they have the talent to shine.”
But the road to the championship game isn’t likely to be smooth for either Montverde or Mater Dei.
“This tournament is extremely deep with winning programs,” Schneider said. “That’s the thing you know you always get with the Beach Ball. You not only get the high level talent, but you get the high level programs.”
Both Poca and Mustang are coming off undefeated state championship seasons.
Poca is the first West Virginia team to win a title with an undefeated record in 28 years, and the school of just 550 students is coming off a win over the No. 2 team in W.Va., Fairmont Senior.
“They’re a fun team to watch and extremely well coached,” Schneider said. “They’re a Lone Peak (Utah) type team where they shoot a bunch of 3s and play hard and they could become a fan favorite. They’re a special team. They’re going to go down as one of the winningest teams in West Virginia.”
Poca is a guard-dominated team led by 6-4 junior shooting guard Luke Frampton, who has offers from numerous schools including Clemson and Virginia. “He’s as good a shooter as there is in the country in his class,” Schneider said. Elijah Cuffee, another 6-4 junior guard and Liberty commitment, is also a talented scorer for Poca.
Mustang features Jakolby Long, a 6-4 senior guard headed to Iowa State who is complemented by 6-4 senior small forward Curtis Haywood II, a scorer and tough defender with great athleticism. “[Long]’s a special shooter but is also one of the biggest wings in the state,” Schneider said. “He has a great athletic body.”
Shadow Mountain returns with coach Mike Bibby and a healthy 6-3 senior guard Michael Bibby Jr., who missed last year’s Beach Ball with an injury. He’s a lethal shooter who has offers from numerous schools including Memphis, Gonzaga, Oregon and Southern Cal. “He’s almost like a clone of his dad – same body demeanor, same shot release point and style of play,” Schneider said. “He’s very fun to watch.”
Shadow Mountain is a veteran team and is considered the top team in Arizona. It also features 6-4 senior shooting guard J.J. Rhymes and 6-7 senior power forwards Harrison Hillard and Isaiah Jones. “They’re very talented,” Schneider said.
St. John’s of Washington, D.C. features Maryland commitment Anthony Cowan, a 5-11 senior point guard, and Rhode Island commitment Jeff Dowtin, a 6-3 senior shooting guard, as well as high-flying 6-4 senior small forward Kylia Sykes. “That trio can get up and down the court,” Schneider said.
Also in the tournament are Seton Hall of New Jersey, Moeller and St. Edward of Ohio, and St. Francis and East Jackson of Georgia.
Of players off local teams Myrtle Beach, Socastee and St. James, Myrtle Beach junior guard Bryce Schneider has committed to Richmond and Socastee 7-1 junior center Jason Cudd is rapidly developing.
Top matchups in the first round: St. Francis (Ga.) vs. Poca (W.Va.) at 5:15 p.m. Saturday, and Mustang (Okla.) vs. St. John’s (Washington, D.C.) at 7 p.m. Monday. The dunk and 3-point contests are Sunday beginning at 7 p.m. following the tournament’s first quarterfinal matchup at 5:15 p.m.
“It’s a talented event with a lot of good players and a lot of good teams,” Schneider said. “There are guys you’ll come and watch and one day you’ll see them playing in the NBA.”
Alan Blondin: 843-626-0284, @alanblondin
10 Players To Watch
(Scouting reports by Kevin Schneider of Myrtle Beach-based Big Shots)
Kobi Simmons, St. Francis (Ga.) 6-4 senior point guard: Has offers from Kentucky, Ohio State, UNLV, Arizona and Auburn. Schneider has Simmons ranked as the No. 3 point guard nationally among seniors and the top uncommitted point guard.
Tony Bradley, Bartow (Fla.) 6-11 senior center: Has committed to North Carolina and is coming off a tournament in which he averaged 30 points and 17 rebounds. “He’s playing as well as any big man in the country. He’s like a Brad Daugherty-type big. He steps out and shoots the 15-footer.”
Jalek Felton, Mullins 6-4 junior guard: Scored 51 points in a Beach Ball game last year to come within a point of the single-game tournament record. “Offensively he’s as good as it gets in the 2017 class. He’s a special talent who does it all. He has feel and is a passer who shoots it and has tremendous court vision.”
M.J. Cage, Mater Dei (Calif.) 6-9 senior power forward: Is committed to Oregon: “He is one of the top bigs out west. He has a high motor, runs end to end, has a quick jumper and is a shot blocker.”
Drue Dinnon, East Jackson (Ga.) 6-foot sophomore point guard: Is the top point guard in the sophomore class in the nation, according to Schneider. “He’s a smooth facilitator and shooter who can take over the game when he wants. The game flows through him.”
Temple Gibbs, Seton Hall Prep (NJ) senior 6-2 point guard: Is a Notre Dame commitment. “He’s a heady player and the leader of that Seton Hall team. He’s a quick point guard who sets the offense, drives and competes hard.”
Anthony Cowan, St. John’s (D.C.) senior 5-11 point guard: “Attacks in transition and is a shot maker with tight handles. He’s extremely talented and has played at a high level for a long time. He’ll be one to watch. He’ll be one of the top point guards in the tournament if not top one.”
Silvio DeSousa, Montverde (Fla.) sophomore 6-8 power forward: Has several offers including from Florida and LSU. “He’ll dunk everything close to the rim. He’s a highlight-reel dunker and superb driver with a high motor who plays well above the rim and can shoot the 3.”
E.J. Montgomery, Montverde (Fla.) sophomore 6-10 wing: Has offers from UCLA, Miami, Baylor, Auburn and N.C. State. “He’s a matchup nightmare with off-the-charts upside. He shoots the 3, can pull up, has all the shots and can dish. Extra long and lean lefty who is an above the rim finisher.”
Luke Frampton, Poca (W.Va.) 6-4 junior shooting guard: Has numerous offers including Clemson, Virginia, Texas Tech and Marshall “He’s a lights-out shooter and could really break out at the Beach Ball. He has as pure a release as it gets. He has a strong frame, scores off the catch or dribble and drive, and dunks with ease.”
This story was originally published December 25, 2015 at 6:11 PM with the headline "Beach Ball Classic to feature top talent from East, West and everywhere in between."