The 38th annual Beach Ball Classic

The 38th annual Beach Ball Classic will take place December 26-31 at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center in Myrtle Beach, SC.

This Annual event all started in 1981 as a dream of Socastee High School Coach Dan D’Antoni. The tournament consisted of 8 teams, 4 in state and 4 out of state, and it was the first event of this type ever held in the State of South Carolina. No one would have ever imagined the progression into a 16 team National tournament, lasting 30 years and becoming the Premier High School Holiday Tournament in the United States.
Our success was in large part due to the support of our community, city, county and state. These are the people that have allowed the Beach Ball Classic Committee to bring in the finest high school teams from around the country every Christmas to compete for the coveted Championship Trophy while entertaining thousands of citizens from the Grand Strand Community and beyond.

Then in 1998, the Beach Ball Classic Committee committed to begin a girls tournament, the Beach Ball Classic Holiday Invitational. It also began as an 8 team invitational and has now advanced to a 16 team National tournament. During the Holiday Invitational, as an added feature, the Carolina’s Challenge women’s college game is held featuring the University of North Carolina and Coastal Carolina University vs other Divison 1 teams. Four days of action packed women and girls games, held the week prior to Christmas, gives the Grand Strand 10 outstanding days and nights of high school and college basketball.

Recognized as one of the country’s most competitive annual high school tournaments, this year’s participants include:
Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, NY)
Bishop O’Connell (Arlington, VA)
Christ the King (Middle Village, NY)
Christian Academy (Myrtle Beach, SC)
Cox Mill (Concord, NC)
Florence (Florence, MS)
Myrtle Beach (Myrtle Beach, SC)
North Crowley (Fort Worth, TX)
North Little Rock (Little Rock, AR)
North Mecklenburg (Huntersville, NC)
Scott County (Georgetown, KY)
Socastee (Myrtle Beach, SC)
St. Edward (Lakewood, OH)
University (Morgantown, WV)
Westchester (Los Angeles, CA)
Yates (Houston, TX).

The field will feature seven teams making their first appearance in the prestigious event: Archbishop Stepinac, Christian Academy, Florence, North Crowley, North Mecklenburg, University and Yates.
“We have a great group of players including several top 100 prospects. Fans can expect to see R.J. Davis and Adrian Griffin, Jr. of Archbishop Stepinac, Jaelyn Withers of North Mecklenburg, Wendell Moore of Cox Mill and Moses Woody of North Little Rock,” said Executive Director, John Rhodes.
Since 1981, over one million fans have watched the Beach Ball Classic, a holiday tradition for residents in and around Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, as well as basketball fans throughout the country. Each year, thousands flock to the South Carolina coast the week following Christmas for the lure of warmer weather and outstanding basketball. Past tournaments have featured famous players including Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd, Ramon Sessions Raymond Felton, Grant Hill, and Kenny Anderson to name a few.

“The excitement and the attendance of these tournaments have continued to grow,” said Rhodes. “The addition of the CresCom Bank Holiday Invitational featuring the nation’s top high school women’s teams, and the Carolinas Challenge featuring some of the country’s top women’s collegiate teams, have had a positive impact on sports in general and have added to the excitement of the Beach Ball Classic. Both tournaments are held the week before Christmas, immediately preceding the much-anticipated Beach Ball Classic.”
Aside from being one of the most acclaimed high school tournaments in the nation, the Beach Ball Classic is recognized for its academic contribution. Since 1984, the Beach Ball Classic Scholarship Fund has awarded over $500,000 in college scholarships to more than 350 deserving high school students.
Don’t forget to stop by Myrtle Beach Liquor to celebrate the champions:
• Liquor Store near Convention Center
• Nearest Liquor Store to Pelican Stadium
• Nearest Liquor Store to Sky Wheel
• Uber to Liquor Store
• Liquor Store near Broadway at the Beach
• Wine & Spirits
• Beer
• Brandy
• Gin
• Vodka
• Liquors
• Discount Beverage