St. Patrick’s, a New Jersey high school team, trailed the Mullins High School Auctioneers at half during first round Beach Ball Classic play Friday night. Then they turned up the heat and cruised to a 71-50 win.
Mullins, ranked #3 in South Carolina AA, held a 27-26 lead at halftime. Mullins connected on four 3-point baskets in the opening 16 minutes and St. Patrick’s connected on just 34 percent of its shots in the first half. The second half a totally different story as the Celtics turned up the defensive pressure. In the final 16 minute period, Mullins committed 17 turnovers and the Celtics outscored the Aucs 45-23.
University of North Carolina signee Dexter Strickland led St. Patrick with 20 points. Stacy Wilson paced Mullins with 17 points, but fellow star Eric Smith managed just 8 points, and committed 9 turnovers.
Mullins will play Socastee in a consolation game on Saturday at noon. St. Patrick’s will play Paterson Catholic (NJ) at 8:45pm in a second round game.
Mullins High School headbasketball coach Mark Gerald and his Auctioneers faced the USA Today’s fifth ranked basketball team when they got to Myrtle Beach on Dec. 26. The Aucs are participating in the Beach Ball Classic in the Myrtle Beach Convention Center from Dec. 26-31. "We are glad to have the opportunity to play in this tournament that many consider the best Christmas Tournament in the nation. I think playing teams at this level will help us later on in our season," Gerald said.
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