Lexington Christmas Classic: Saturday’s Gold Bracket

The midpoint of the final month of the calendar year means the mid-season tournament portion of the 2023-24 schedule is about to get into high gear.    While many students are enjoying their Holiday breaks, it is business as usual for a student-athlete. They can put the books, pens and calculators aside for the next few months and focus entirely on athletics.    Such as was the case at this year's Lexington Christmas Classic. This year's version featured 13 varsity teams in addition to six other junior varsity assemblings.    We at Prep Girls Hoops were also on hand for this year's festivities. Without further adieu, here is a recap of this year's Gold Bracket contests.    South Florence vs. Riverside   First on the four-day card for the Gold Bracket featured a pair of 4A teams – one from the Pee Dee and the other from the Upstate.    Neither of these teams participated in last season's Lexington Christmas Classic. The Bruins suffered a number of losses and transfers throughout the offseason, but have so far held their own. As for the Warriors, one had to wonder if the travel to the Midlands may be an issue given they are fresh off a road contest at 5A Gaffney – an 80-74 win for the Warriors.   That travel was not an issue and the Warriors still kicked off this year's Lexington Christmas Classic with a 66-45 win to send the Bruins into the consolation end of the bracket.    Quarter-By-Quarter   A big early lead from Riverside put plenty of distance between them and South Florence before the Bruins found success placing the ball through the basket later in the frame. With one complete, the Warriors led the Bruins by a margin of 18-8.   South Florence displayed indications of life in the second quarter before Riverside put an abrupt halt to the Bruins rally. Halftime commenced in the first matchup of this year's Lexington Christmas Classic with the Warriors in front by a score of 32-18.   That Warriors lead that was 14 at the half eventually was upped to 22 as the third quarter concluded. When three frames of basketball were in the books, the advantage for Riverside was a bit more comfortable – 52-30.   The Gold Bracket would begin to fill up after the first game with Riverside claiming a berth in the winner's end of said division. The final margin of victory for the Warriors would be 66-45 over the Bruins.    Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_6322.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-823753" style="width:399px;height:auto" /></figure>   As is often the case with Riverside contests, [player_tooltip player_id='371196' first='Kyndal' last='Haroski'] lit up the scoreboard. It was a 19-point performance for the star sophomore to finish her morning at Lexington. Among those 19 were five made 3-pointers.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_6320.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-823754" style="width:424px;height:auto" /></figure>   Complimenting what Haroski did was the 11 points that were put on the board courtesy of another sophomore. That was 5-foot-10 [player_tooltip player_id='567030' first='Sophia' last='Powell']. That height advantage certainly comes in useful in terms of converting on high-percentage baskets. Powell primarily plays at the four.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/06/AACBD1F3-6AD5-4891-80C6-6F18B11C9E7A.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-678019" style="width:425px;height:auto" /></figure>   The impressive Warriors performance came about in large part because of the team's bench. [player_tooltip player_id='677958' first='Aylissa' last='Pelzer'], a senior, tallied nine points off said bench. Pelzer primarily plays at the five in the frontcourt.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_6317.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-823760" style="width:421px;height:auto" /></figure>   Back to the starting five – and Riverside's resident patroller of the paint. [player_tooltip player_id='414178' first='Elly' last='Trickett'] had herself a nine-point outing. Converting on high-percentage shots, rebounding and converting on free throws are among the strong points of her game.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_6315.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-823761" style="width:420px;height:auto" /></figure>   Another senior off the bench also had herself an impressive time on the court. That was Tamel Fowler who is listed as a shooting guard on the Riverside roster. She finished with eight points – including a pair of 3-pointers.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_6314.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-823765" style="width:415px;height:auto" /></figure>   With a 20-point showing, [player_tooltip player_id='385365' first='Jada' last='Montgomery'] would lead all point-getters for the matchup. She also had plenty of success from behind the 3-point arc as Montgomery was true on five of her attempts from 3-point land.   What's Next?   Riverside eventually moved into the winner's side of the Gold Bracket where they would await a matchup with North Augusta. As for South Florence, they would be placed in the consolation side of said bracket – and a matchup with Spring Valley on Monday.    Spring Valley vs. North Augusta   How were those opponents determined? That is where the second Gold Bracket contest of the day came in.    For the last few years, Spring Valley has been among the class of the 5A field – Upper State finalists from last season. And, of course, North Augusta is among the 4A field's elite – getting back to the top of the 4A food chain last season as state champions.    The Yellow Jackets are on their way to another impressive season – their latest victory came against Georgia-based 6A Lakeside. The Vikings came into this contest at 5-5 but many of those defeats have been near misses against other tough teams.   Spring Valley were Gold Bracket consolation champions last year while North Augusta were champions in the winner's bracket in 2022. They also played each other last year with the Yellow Jackets winning.    Such was the case again this time around with the Yellow Jackets prevailing over the Vikings by a final tally of 70-56.    Quarter-By-Quarter   North Augusta and Spring Valley provided a more uptempo feel than may have been the case in the previous two games that took place. A similarity was, once again, the score following one frame of play – 18-8 (again) with the Yellow Jackets ahead of the Vikings.    The Vikings, displaying why they were ranked in the preseason 5A coaches poll, would not make things easy on North Augusta. Spring Valley was hanging tough with the Yellow Jackets, but the defending 4A champions would bring a 35-25 lead into the half.    North Augusta's offensive attack was in sync to begin the third as they opened the stanza with a 10-2 run which prompted a timeout from Spring Valley. The Yellow Jackets' advantage ballooned into the twenties – 60-35 with three complete.    The Vikings did manage to draw a bit closer in the fourth quarter – but they needed to draw much closer to pull even with the Yellow Jackets. North Augusta began its defense of last year's Gold Bracket championship with another win over Spring Valley.    Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_6389.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-823766" style="width:452px;height:auto" /></figure>   Player of the Game honors were bestowed upon [player_tooltip player_id='444371' first='Ashley' last='Walker'], who tallied 21 points en route to another Yellow Jackets victory. Out of the 21 she scored, 12 of those were placed on the scoreboard in the first half.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_6397.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-823770" style="width:487px;height:auto" /></figure>   Complimenting the 21 of Walker were the 20 tallied by [player_tooltip player_id='350281' first='Celena' last='Grant']. While she has garnered headlines for her ball handling ability and attacking of the rim, she displayed offensive versatility with a second-half 3-pointer.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_6395.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-823771" style="width:469px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='305000' first='Madison' last='McCain'] also made things difficult for the Vikings defense. She bolstered the offensive output for North Augusta with 10 points. McCain can either play at the three or the four in the frontcourt.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_6393.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-823778" style="width:464px;height:auto" /></figure>   Giving the Yellow Jackets an edge off the bench was Kennedy Armistead who finished with eight points. Armistead showcased her ability to draw contact and get to the free throw line along with a knack for ball handling and organizing an offense in a halfcourt set.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_6381-crop-3517x2309-1702863539.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-823783" style="width:454px;height:auto" /></figure>   With 21 points, veteran shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='268138' first='Zie'l' last='Ratchford'] led Spring Valley's scoring efforts. She provides plenty of defensive abilities for the Vikings and is very confident in her ability to drain 3-pointers.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_6387.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-823784" style="width:450px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='320740' first='Lauren' last='Crosland'] concluded Saturday's game with 12 points. Unfortunately for Spring Valley, she eventually fouled out. North Augusta's defense limited Crosland's touches in the first half but managed to put the ball through the basket with regularity in the third and fourth quarters.   What's Next?   It was North Augusta who found themselves on the winner's end of the Gold Bracket. They would face off against Riverside on Monday while the Vikings would await their next opponent – South Florence - in the consolation end of the bracket.    Northwood Academy vs. Hartsville   The first Gold Bracket matchup of the day featured a pair of 4A squads – and so did the last as a SCISA 4A team matched up against one from the high school league's ranks.   Both the Chargers and Red Foxes were part of last season's Christmas Classic – albeit in different brackets. Last year, Northwood Academy was a Gold Bracket team and eventually were defeated in the second round by eventual champion North Augusta. Hartsville were in the Silver Bracket and won said bracket after a 47-43 win over Silver Bluff.    Both teams have been heavy on the midseason tournament circuit so far with the Chargers coming into Saturday's play with a 7-2 record. Hartsville's was 5-3.   The final Gold Bracket matchup of the day went the way of Northwood Academy as they defeated Hartsville with the end result being a closely contested 56-54 decision.    Remember What Happened Last Time?   That last time occurred during last year's Hoopin' In The Ville midseason get-together hosted by the Red Foxes. The result was a 51-40 win for Northwood Academy.   Quarter-By-Quarter   Things started auspiciously for Northwood Academy as they managed to efficiently execute its offense along with Hartsville struggling out the gate. With one complete, the score was 12-7 in favor of the Chargers.   Both Hartsville and Northwood Academy particularly appeared to be evenly matched as the second quarter elapsed. Both teams would go into their respective locker rooms to discuss second half strategy with the Chargers leading the Red Foxes by a margin of 25-18.   One had to believe that a team as talented as Hartsville would have a run in them. The Red Foxes eventually pulled ahead briefly in the third quarter before Northwood Academy managed to go back ahead by one as the frame concluded. It was 40-39 Chargers with one quarter left to play in the game – and in the day's play.   It was tied at 54 with nine seconds left to play. Northwood Academy then executed one last play that would lead to one more two-point bucket for the Chargers. They would be the final victor as Saturday's action came to a close.    Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_6534.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-823791" style="width:428px;height:auto" /></figure>   The Chargers' record on the season now stands at 8-2 – and they have [player_tooltip player_id='171805' first='Alayah' last='Birch'] in large part to thank. With 25 points, Birch made sure Northwood Academy's Saturday would not conclude without a victory. Included in those 25 was the game-winning layup.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_6513-2-crop-2236x1469-1702864077.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-823793" style="width:410px;height:auto" /></figure>   It was a 13-point performance for another one of the Northwood Academy seniors – [player_tooltip player_id='364921' first='Morgan' last='Jones']. She keyed the Chargers' efforts from deep as two of the team's successful 3-point attempts left her hands.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_6525-crop-2707x1777-1702864179.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-823796" style="width:414px;height:auto" /></figure>   The heroics of [player_tooltip player_id='761892' first='Jazzy' last='Frierson'] kept Hartsville in the contest from start to finish. She finished with 17 points. Frierson made things difficult for the Chargers' defense with the success she encountered attacking the basket.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/12/IMG_6526-crop-3226x2118-1702864317.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-823798" style="width:415px;height:auto" /></figure>   It was a 12-point outing for [player_tooltip player_id='297243' first='Brooke' last='Mitchell']. She is a 2025 who is listed at 5-foot-5 on the Red Foxes' roster. Corralling rebounds and collecting steals are two other strong points to Mitchell's complete game.   What's Next?   To the winner's bracket is where Northwood Academy would go with their next matchup being on Monday against Lexington. A date with Keenan was what awaited Hartsville that same day.

The midpoint of the final month of the calendar year means the mid-season tournament portion of the 2023-24 schedule is about to get into high gear.