Palmetto State : Battle at the Beach Game 2
The nightcap of the Battle at the Beach featured the host Myrtle Beach Seahawks vs Cheraw Braves. The Braves suffered a loss the night before to Oak Hill Academy Red (VA) 65-52.
The Seahawks came out on fire here today and led 29-15 after the 1st quarter. Robert Swanson (2018) led the way with 17 points on 4 three pointers in the 1st quarter.
The undermanned Braves were without the services of #3 ranked Palmetto State 2020 player Jalen Coit. Coit was set to battle #6 ranked player Emorie Knox in the 2020 class. Coit was held out of the game with a bad ankle.
The Braves lost the services of post player Xavier McIver (2020) at 5:59 of the 2nd quarter with a bad ankle and he never returned to the game. Nazir Mallory picked up 2 quick fouls and sat most of the first half.
The Braves were trailing the Seahawks at halftime 49-35. Xavier Dixon scored 17 points in the opening half. Dixon scored 11 straight points in the 2nd quarter.
The Seahawks bombed away in the 2nd half to pull away from the undersized Braves squad to win the game 93-60.
The Seahawks were led in scoring by Swanson with 28 points and sat out the whole 4th quarter. O’Neil McBride (2018) finished the night with 12 points and 11 rebounds while Knox scored 14 points.
The Braves were led by Dixon who scored a career high of 33 points in Coit’s absence. Jonathan Gordon (2021) plays a lot bigger than his size in the paint for the Braves and finished with 12 points in the loss.
Marshall Myers (2021) scored just 8 points and didn’t score in the 2nd half.
The Braves a 2-A program have a very young roster and bright future fore Head Coach Justin Johnson. The Braves will surprise a team or 2 down the stretch heading into the playoffs next month.