Lexington Christmas Classic: 2022
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We are literally days away from a new calendar year – but not before several teams from around South Carolina participated at Lexington High School’s first-annual Christmas Classic. While there were a few last-minute scheduling changes, lots of exciting basketball…
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Continue ReadingWe are literally days away from a new calendar year – but not before several teams from around South Carolina participated at Lexington High School’s first-annual Christmas Classic.
While there were a few last-minute scheduling changes, lots of exciting basketball was played on Saturday. Lexington’s old gym hosted the junior varsity teams with varsity squads at its larger, newer venue.
Prep Girls Hoops made the trip to Lexington as well for Saturday’s games, a few of which were decided by single digits. Here is how this year’s senior class fared.
Anija Jones Anija Jones 5'9" | SG South Aiken | 2022 State SC – 2022 – South Aiken HS – Jones entered the 2021-22 season as a familiar face in a new place. There is still gold on her uniform, but instead of it being accompanied by Denmark-Olar’s navy blue, it is now the burgundy of South Aiken she sports. Her ball movement is an element to her game that stands out in addition to how she can sink her shots from midrange. At 5-foot-9, Jones can be a lot to contend with given her interior defense as well as her all-around defense, which includes her ability to switch who she is defending. Jones displays impressive ball handles, a willingness to attack the basket and a skill for making tough shots. Jones led all T-Breds point-getters in the Saturday afternoon game with Hartsville with 18 points.
Kindan Dawson Kindan Dawson 5'7" | CG Hartsville | 2022 State SC – 2022 – Hartsville HS – In spite of the first four letters of her name, Dawson was anything but kind to South Aiken’s defense on Saturday afternoon. In fact, Dawson played the role of hero for the Red Foxes. With under seven seconds to play, Dawson stole a Thoroughbreds inbounds pass and converted on a layup to give Hartsville a 44-43 victory in a game where South Aiken led for much of the contest. Along with what she manages to do on defense, she can hit her shots from anywhere on the floor – including from behind the 3-point arc and at the free throw line. Dawson will corral rebounds and set up the Red Foxes offense in the halfcourt. She finished with 20 points vs. South Aiken.
Renasia Jeter-McKissick – 2022 – Dorman HS – Jeter-McKissick has proven to be a top reason why the Cavaliers have established themselves as one of the teams to beat in 5A play. After all, Dorman is only five wins shy of matching its total in wins from 2020-21 with plenty of 2021-22 to go. She does a great deal of work on both the defensive and offensive glass. Jeter-McKissick constantly looks to make things happen near the rim and has a skill for making tough shots. She will draw contact and find her way to the free throw line as well. Jeter-McKissick finished with 17 points to lead all Cavaliers point-getters in the team’s game with South Pointe on Saturday.
Najah Lane Najah Lane 5'6" | PG South Pointe | 2022 State SC – 2022 – South Pointe HS – When the proverbial book is written on the Stallions’ 2021-22 season, it will likely include how the team earned a signature 64-50 win over a previously unbeaten Dorman squad after trailing in the first quarter 13-1. Lane displayed plenty of impressive handles in addition to her midrange jump shot. Lane also made a 3-pointer in the third quarter, part of the Stallions’ sustained scoring binge throughout the game’s latter three frames. She finished with 13 points despite being kept off the scoreboard in the first quarter. Lane was also called for only one personal foul.
Jayda Givens – 2022 – South Pointe HS – In the first quarter of the Stallions’ Saturday afternoon contest with Lexington, the Cavaliers kept four of South Pointe’s five starters off the scoreboard. The same could not be said for Givens, who came off the bench and had a made shot from the field in the first quarter then went on to tally 12 points in the South Pointe win. Givens also came up big in the defensive side. Her defensive skillset includes a knack for deflecting passes and coming away with steals. Givens’ play helped improve the Stallions’ record to 7-3 this season.
Savannah Porterfield Savannah Porterfield 5'9" | SF Byrnes | 2022 State SC – 2022 – Byrnes HS – Throughout her high school career, Porterfield has experienced a lot of winning – and the Rebels’ girls basketball program has experienced lots of wins while Porterfield has sported its colors. She had the first basket of the Rebels’ game with North Augusta and it came via a 3-pointer, which has become a centerpiece of her offensive game. If she gets fouled, she can go to the line and sink her shots from the charity stripe. Porterfield is also a possibility to hit running floaters as well as midrange jumpers and will reach into deflect passes as a defender. She scored 15 points to lead Rebels scorers.
Alexis Sexton Alexis Sexton 5'9" | CG Lexington | 2022 State SC – 2022 – Lexington HS – The first annual Christmas Classic was, of course, a tournament being held on Sexton’s home court – so one would expect the Francis Marion commit to put together a good showing when the Wildcats closed out the Saturday slate of games against Wade Hampton. Sexton did just that as she led all Lexington scorers with 22 points. That included scoring in a variety of ways – attacking the cup, draining midrange jumpers and hitting shots from deep. She will organize the Wildcats offense in the halfcourt and can provide key blocks and steals to provide extra possessions for Lexington.