The Beach Ball Classic presented over $10,000 in college scholarships to ten area athletes at the 31st annual scholarship banquet held recently at the Myrtle Beach Train Depot.
The scholarships were awarded to student athletes within the Horry County School System who have excelled both academically and athletically during their high school careers.
“We’re proud to share our success with our community by helping support the educational goals of Horry County Schools, and extremely thankful for the generosity of DDC Engineers who make this possible,” said John Rhodes, Executive Director. “Since 1984, we have provided over $400,000 in scholarships to more than 360 students representing each of our area high schools.”
“The high academic standards upheld by the tournament and the integrity and talent of our players are just a few of the things that set the Beach Ball Classic apart from other high school tournaments,” he continued.
Now in its 35th year, the Beach Ball Classic is hailed as the nation’s premier high school sporting event. Attracting talent that has included Kobe Bryant, Raymond Felton, and Jason Kidd, it has launched the careers of countless NBA stars. Named South Carolina’s Most Outstanding Tourism Event in 2003, the tournament has entertained over one million fans since its move to the Myrtle Beach Convention Center from Socastee High School in 1994.
This year’s scholarship winners, along with the schools they represent and their college choices, are listed below.
| Austin Windham | Aynor High School | Duke |
| Caitlyn Penter | Carolina Forest High School | Undecided |
| Landon Jones | Conway High School | Wofford |
| Amanda Grainger | Green Sea Floyds | Coastal Carolina University |
| Bryson Daniels | Loris High School | Clemson |
| Rachel Berkey | Myrtle Beach High School | Erskine |
| Matthew Stanaland | North Myrtle Beach High | Undecided |
| Finn Melko | Socastee High School | Clemson |
| Margaret Scalise* | Socastee High School | Clemson |
| Brian Carcace | St. James High School | Duke |
*Margaret Scalise was the recipient of the Keith Lane Scholarship. Now in its second year, the scholarship honors the work and dedication of Lane, a former coach and well-respected member of the Beach Ball Classic Committee who, according to Rhodes, “was instrumental in its success.”
For more information on the Beach Ball Classic, including 2015’s schedule, visit www.BeachBallClassic.com