Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — The Fairland Dragons got tired of losing tough games and it looked like yet another tough affair on Friday against the host Myrtle Beach Seahawks.
But the Dragons decided to take their frustrations out on the Seahawks in the second half as they posted a 61-53 win in the 37th annual Beach Ball Classic.
Luke Thomas and Kollin Van Horn scored 17 points each as Fairland outscored Myrtle Beach by 15 points in the second half.
“We had a good defensive effort in the second half,” said Fairland coach Nathan Speed.
“Kollin played well down the stretch and we executed well in the second half. Ty (Staten’s) defense was solid.”
Fairland lost its two earlier games in the Beach Ball Classic, 72-70 to Lanett (AL) on a tip-in at the buzzer and 76-50 to Cox Mill after being down only three at the half.
Van Horn also had 11 rebounds and three blocked shots as the Dragons improved to 7-2.
Robert Swanson had 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field to lead Myrtle Beach (5-8).
The Seahawks were up 15-4 at the 10:52 mark on a 3-point by Jayce Allen. Fairland then rallied on a 3point and two foul shots by Isaiah Howell to get within 17-13.
Myrtle Beach built a 31-23 lead on a 3-point by Swanson with 1:37 left in the half. A free throw by Van Horn with 28 seconds on the clock made it 36-29 at the half.
A layup by Van Horn and a free throw by Thomas tied the game at 36 with 12:55 on the second half clock. The Dragons took their first lead at 41-39 on a layup by Van Horn off a pass from Staten with 11:06 left.
The Seahawks had their last lead of the game at 46-45 with 7:49 to play.
Matt Mondlak then had a steal and a 3-pointer by Thomas gave Fairland the lead for good at 48-46 with 7:10 to go.
Two free throws by Howell with 25 seconds left made it 61-52 and sealed the outcome.
Fairland will host South Point next Friday.
Fairland    29    32    =    61
Myrtle Beach    36    17    =    53
FAIRLAND (7-2): Isaiah Howell 2 1 6-6 13, Ty Staten 3 0 0-1 6, Luke Thomas 4 2 3-5 17, Kollin Van Horn 8 0 1-4 17, Keedrick Cunningham 1 1 3-4 8, Chase Fisher 0 0 0-0 0, Joel Lambiotte 0 0 0-0 0, Matt Mondlak 0 0 0-0 0, Clayton Thomas 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 22-49 13-20 61. 3-pt goals: 4-10 (Howell 1-3, L. Thomas 2-5, Cunningham 1-1, Mondlak 0-1). Rebounds: 17-O, 22-D = 39 (Van Horn 11, Cunningham 8, Howell 7). Team rebounds: 1. Assists: 9 (Staten 5). Steals: 7 (L. Thomas 4). Blocks: 4 (Van Horn 3), Turnovers: 14. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.
MYRTLE BEACH (5-8): Jayce Allen 0 2 2-3 8, Robert Swanson 5 3 2-2 21, Brady Vest 0 0 0-0 0, Emorie Knox 4 2 0-0 14, Oneil McBride 2 0 4-6 8, Demarro Smith 1 0 0-0 2, J.B. Favorite 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 19-44 8-11 53. 3-pt goals: 7-18 (Allen 2-3, Swanson 3-7, Vest 0-1, McBride 4-6). Rebounds: 4-O, 15-D = 19 (McBride 5, Vest 3, Knox 3). Team rebounds: 2. Assists: 9 (4 with 2). Steals: 6 (Allen 4). Turnovers: 13. Blocks: 1 (McBride 1). Fouls: 17. Fouled out: Vest.