Amari Pearson goes to the hoop after grabbing an offensive rebound.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/W.A. Myatt)

Cape Fear Christian Academy’s varsity boys basketball team trimmed a 13-point deficit to 48-47 early in the fourth quarter before a late run by Gray Collegiate of Columbia, S.C., gave the War Eagles a 70-57 win in the first round of the 40th annual Beach Ball Classic at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center on Saturday.

CFCA (11-5) will play again in the event on Tuesday at 10:45 a.m.

Tristin Harkins hit six of 11 shots from the field, including three of eight beyond the arc, to lead the Eagles with 15 points.

Cinque Lemon and Amari Pearson added 11 points each. Pearson’s effort off the bench included a team-high eight rebounds. Jabare Perry and Paul Tako each had six rebounds for CFCA.

Lemon and Zeke Brock each had three assists.

Caden Bell had six points. Truman Claytor and Brock scored four each. Perry and Tako tallied three apiece.

Gray Collegiate (8-2) was led by Chase McDuffie with 24 points.

Caden Bell drives for CFCA in Myrtle Beach on Saturday.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/W.A. Myatt)

Tristin Harkins goes up for three of his 15 points in the first round.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/W.A. Myatt)