2016 Beach Ball Classic field already starting to take shape

On the final day of the 35th annual Beach Ball Classic, the field for the 2016 tournament was already taking shape.

So far, seven teams have either signed contracts or given verbal agreements to play in the event next year. The list includes the rotating two-year plan with 2014 champion Bishop Gorman (Nev.), which also won in 2009 and has finished in the top five all four times it has made the trip. Bishop O’Connell (Va.), Rufus King (Wisc.), Father Henry Carr (Canada), Christ the King (N.Y.) and host schools Myrtle Beach and Socastee will also participate, according to tournament director John Rhodes.

At least for now, Gorman appears to be the centerpiece of the field, although with the possibility of Montverde (Fla.) also returning, recruiting the other half of the field may not be all that difficult.

“If I can get two of those good strong teams who are top 10 every year, it will help with others,” Rhodes said.

Rhodes added that outside of Montverde, one other official invitation has been extended. He also indicated that whichever team current Mullins star Jalek Felton is on may also have a spot. Felton said earlier in the week he intended to transfer to a prep school. He then broke the tournament’s single-game scoring mark when he dropped 55 points on Poca (W. Va.) on Wednesday.

From there, Rhodes’ scope is pretty wide.

“I’m looking to see which one out of California I want to get,” he said. “Then I’d like to look at a good team out of Texas and a Kentucky team.”

As for the seven who are already locked down, there is plenty of history. Christ the King won the inaugural Beach Ball Classic in 1981 with a 53-52 win over W.T. Woodson and were tournament participants in 1982, 1996 and 2002.

Bishop O’Connell was the event’s runner-up in 2002 and 2012 and has won 13 total Beach Ball games in eight appearances. It is coached by Joe Wootten, the son of Hall of Fame DeMatha coach Morgan Wootten.

Rufus King is a three-time participant. The Generals’ highest finish came in 2003, when they were fourth place

Although Rhodes said plenty of others were being considered based on team and/or individual potential, he did say no other Horry County teams would be invited outside of Socastee and Myrtle Beach.

This story was originally published December 31, 2015 at 4:05 PM with the headline "2016 Beach Ball Classic field already starting to take shape."