Beach Ball Classic: Karter Knox, Jerone Morton, Ibrahim Sacko turn heads
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina – The 42nd annual Beach Ball Classic came to an end with two of the best games I have seen this year.
The championship game of the Traditional Division saw Spartanburg (SC) Dorman High face off with Philadelphia (PA) Roman Catholic. The game was nip and tuck throughout and ended up going into overtime.
Roman Catholic senior Jermai Stewart-Herring won the event’s Most Valuable Player award after averaging 16.3 points on 63.3 percent shooting. St Joseph’s signee Xzayvier Brown led all scorers in the championship game with 20 points. For Dorman, senior Sean Lindsay scored 13 points and secured a team-high seven rebounds. Roman Catholic won the game 56-54
In the Prep School Division, Markham (CAN) J. Addison played Kissimmee (FL) Central Pointe Christian. This game also went into overtime. J. Addison won the game 54-50, and senior Ibrahim Sacko was named MVP after scoring 17 points and seven rebounds.
For college coaches reading, Sacko and Lindsay are both uncommitted, and their coaches say their recruitment could use a bump.
On3s Jamie Shaw sat courtside for Championship Friday. Here are some standouts and storylines.
Five-star SF Karter Knox (2024)
Height/Weight: 6-5/190
High school: Tampa (FL) Tampa Catholic
2024 On3 Consensus: No. 7
Karter Knox was the featured player in the event. The high-flying 6-foot-5 wing consistently had the crowd on their feet with his explosive defensive plays and his aerial assault on the rim.
Knox was able to showcase his athleticism on both ends of the floor. He attacked the rim in the half-court and finished with authority above the rim. On the defensive end, Knox played aggressively in the passing lanes and had a few weak-side shot blocks that were caught by kids in the second and third row.
The five-star finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 steals in the win. He averaged 20 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 9.3 steals for the event.
Other notes
*Morehead State signee Jerone Morton of Winchester (KY) George Rogers Clark High fills a stat sheet. The strong 6-foot-4 guard played confidently on the ball, but he also defended the point of attack, rebounded, and distributed at a high level. Morton pushed a triple-double with 18 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals.
*2024 F Christian Nitu of Fort Erie (CAN) Fort Erie Prep is a new name to start tracking. The 6-foot-11 lefty is very skilled; with a 7-foot-2 wing span, he can handle, shoot, and pass from multiple levels on the floor.
*2023 PF Diego Trejo of Escondido (CA) Balboa School is the best rebounder I have seen in this field. The 6-foot-8 forward has a nose for the ball, both in and out of his area, on both ends of the floor. He finished with 16 rebounds, seven offensive in today’s game.
*2024 G Brayden Jackson of Fort Erie (CAN) Fort Erie Prep was an intriguing prospect. At 6-foot-6, 6-foot-7, he primarily initiated the offense for his team. He played with great pace and natural control, and confidence. Jackson finished efficiently at the rim as well as going 1-for-1 from three and 3-for-3 from the free throw line. Stonehill is currently his low offer, it will be interesting to see who else jumps in over the next six or so months.
*2023 PF Ibrahim Sacko of Markham (CAN ) J. Addison did nothing but produce all week long. The 6-foot-7 forward was awarded the Beach Ball Classic Prep Bracket’s Most Valuable Player award after scoring 17 points with 7 rebounds and steals in the championship win.