Beach Ball Classic: Day 3 Top Performers
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina – In the 43 years of the Beach Ball Classic players like Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Rasheed Wallace, Grant Hill, and Jason Kidd have walked through the doors. Each year, top teams and players alike compete for the coveted Beach Ball Classic Championship.
This year, Winston Salem (NC) Winston Salem Christian won the Prep Division and Arlington (VA) Bishop O’Connell took home the High School Division championship. Top-ranked players like Bryson Tucker and Darryn Peterson competed in the 16-team field. Fort Worth (Tx) North Crowley, Arlington (VA) Bishop O’Connell, and Georgetown (KY) Great Crossing are all ranked among MaxPreps Top 50 high schools nationally.
On3’s Jamie Shaw sat court side for championship Saturday at the Beach Ball Classic. Here are the top performers from the day.
2023 Beach Ball Classic Website
On3 MVP: 4-Star C Malachi Moreno (2025)
Malachi Moreno is tall, and that goes without saying. But he also knows how to use his height to his advantage. Moreno is listed at 7-foot-1; he has excellent hands and is mobile with a loose frame. He tracks the ball well on the boards, high-pointing the ball in traffic. Moreno will need to continue adding strength, which will help him establish and hold his position on the block. Moreno plays with control and balance. He stretched the floor with a pick-and-pop three and finished with both hands around the basket. His championship performance was a very well-run clinic that he put on around the basket. He finished with 24 points, 25 rebounds, and two blocks in the championship game. The event’s Most Outstanding Player’s three-game rebound total of 54 put him at No. 3 in the event’s 43-year history.
2. 4-Star G Bryson Tucker (un-committed 2024)
The shot-making ability popped immediately for Bryson Tucker. The 6-foot-7 guard stepped into mid-range jump shot after mid-range jump shot and the other team simply could not stop it. Tucker has an understanding of the spots he wants to get to on the floor. He sharply gets to each spot and his elevation and release point allow him to get high above the defense’s attempts. Tucker has an excellent frame with long arms. His release can get a little sideways when his shot extends out to three. In most possessions, he would rather pull up than attack the rim, but his balance and pace, allow those shots to be very dangerous. Tucker finished with 27 points, going 5-10 from three in the championship game win.
3. 4-Star SF Amier Ali (Arizona State)
Amier Ali has carried his reputation as a scorer since he entered high school. The step that Ali has taken this season is with his efficiency. He is taking better shots, with better balance, and his numbers show that. Ali is listed at 6-foot-8. He is confident on the ball, handing in the open court as well as setting things up in the half court. Ali got to his spots within two or three dribbles, finishing with a game-high 16 points. He was 7-7 from the field and 1-1 from three. He also added three assists.
4. 3-Star G Kaleb Evans (2025)
Kaleb Evans turned it on in the second half. His Lexington (SC) High team was down nine at the half, Evans scored 17 points in the final two quarters. Evans was aggressive downhill and smart with his dribble. He played with pace and balance and scored at each level. It was another good showing for the strong-framed junior who claims offers from schools like Charlotte, Jacksonville, Winthrop, and others. The 6-foot-2 Evans finished with 23 points, nine rebounds, and two assists. He was 10-15 from the field and 2-2 from three.
Other Beach Ball Classic Standouts
4-star SG Cam Scott (Texas) is an explosive athlete, and he used that to be productive in today’s win. He finished with three blocks and went 5-5 from the free-throw line. Scott has great length with a projectable frame. You can see the light switching on for him, finding comfort in his becoming an alpha option. Scott’s Lexington (SC) High had 13 points in the Beach Ball Classic third-place game win.
3-Star F AJ Swinton (Florida State) does every little thing throughout the course of a game that adds up to wins. Whether it is the defensive stop, the offensive rebound, or diving on the floor, Swinton seems to sway 50-50 balls in his favor. The 6-foot-6 forward finished with ten points with a block and a steal. His buckets were during crucial moments.
PG Isaak Hayes (2027) plays well beyond his years. He is skilled and poised, playing with a compact frame and a tight handle. Hayes, only a freshman, averaged 16.0 points shooting 8-19 from three. At 5-foot-11 he showed a fearless demeanor on the floor touching the paint, making excellent reads, and finished well around the basket.
SF Jordan Fisher (2028) is the younger brother of DePaul sophomore Elijah Fisher. While his Toronto (CAN) Uchenna Prep team lost each game they played, Fisher led the way in scoring with ten points. Only in eighth grade, the 6-foot-6 Fisher averaged 9.8 for the event. He is one to keep eyes on.
F Lewis Walker (UMass) and his strong performances are about as steady as they come. The 6-foot-6 forward is a strong and physical presence. He looks for contact and is skilled with the ball in his hands. Positive plays seem to find Walker consistently. He finished with 13 points and seven rebounds, going 6-10 from the field. Walker earned MVP honors of the Beach Ball Classic Prep Division leading his team to the championship.