MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Despite 35 points from guard Kaden Metheny, the University High boys’ basketball team fell to Cox Mill (N.C.), 92-82, on Wednesday night in the first round of the Beach Ball Classic at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.
“I think we were the better of two teams tonight and it just didn’t show up on the scoreboard,” head coach Joe Schmidle said.
Cox Mill featured Duke commit and 5-star recruit Wendell Moore, who finished with 35 points and 14 rebounds, but Schmidle has a different opinion of who the top player was.
“Kaden was the best player of the floor tonight,” he said. “He was a crowd-favorite and people will definitely know who he is and he opened up a lot of eyes.”
Metheny dropped nine 3-pointers, breaking a Beach Ball Classic record, which is in its 38th year. He also added seven assists to his total.
UHS was in foul trouble most of the game though. KJ McClurg fouled out with three minutes to go and only played 18 minutes total because of foul trouble in the first half. The same can be said for Mike Maumbe, who only played 11 minutes.
McClurg still finished with 15 points, while Ryan Nicelar (12) and Rodney Bucklew (12) also finished in double figures.
“We’re here to get better,” Schmidle said. “This is what my kids want to do and we came down here knowing we’d get a chance to play against some of the best teams in the country. Cox Mill is back-to-back defending state champs in North Carolina and probably a top 50 team.
“The kids made Morgantown proud tonight.”
The Hawks (5-1) will play in the second round at 1:45 p.m. today against either Scott County (Ky) and Socastee (S.C.).
