Lexington Christmas Classic: Championship Day Results

One of the largest schools in the state, 5A Lexington has hosted two midseason tournaments prior to the holidays. Both took place in late November   One of which was the Lake Murray Tip-Off and the other was when it was a co-host of the She Got Next Thanksgiving Tournament along with nearby White Knoll.    The home of the Wildcats played host to one more tournament prior to the new calendar year when region play begins. That tournament was the Christmas Classic.    We at Prep Girls Hoops made the trip out to Lexington for the Monday slate of games which determined bracket champions. Here is how that Monday slate unfolded.    Ben Lippen vs. Eau Claire (Blue Division Championship)   Among the 20-team field that participated in this year's Christmas Classic were a pair of teams from the 4A SCISA ranks. Both won their opening round contests to advance to championship round play.    One of those teams was Ben Lippen, which emphatically won its opening round contest against 3A Silver Bluff. The Falcons also are returning to the Christmas Classic after going 2-1 at last year's rendition via wins over North and Northside Christian but a loss to 4A South Aiken.    As for the Shamrocks, it began Christmas Classic play on Saturday with a victory over 2A Manning.    A battle of two teams representing opposite sides of Exit 68 off Interstate 20 went the way of Ben Lippen as it prevailed over Eau Claire by a final of 36-35 in overtime to earn the Blue Division crown.   Remember What Happened Last Time?   The last time these two teams met was last January at Ben Lippen's home court. The Shamrocks prevailed with a 51-35 victory over the Falcons.    Quarter-By-Quarter   For much of the opening stanza, Ben Lippen had a bit of an offensive rhythm going and built up an 8-2 lead on Eau Claire before the Shamrocks managed to trim the gap. It was Falcons at eight and Shamrocks at six with one frame finished.   Eau Claire had a 15-0 run which stretched from the first quarter into the second which was only snapped by a pair of late Ben Lippen baskets. With two complete, the Shamrocks held a 17-12 lead over the Falcons.   An unfortunate moment occurred midway through the 3rd quarter when play was stopped because of an Eau Claire injury. An improved Ben Lippen effort allowed the Falcons to pull back in front of the Shamrocks. It was 27-23 at the end of three.    What was a low-scoring contest would ultimately need four additional minutes to decide it. Thirty-two minutes had not settled anything as Ben Lippen and Eau Claire were all knotted up at 34 apiece.   Fittingly enough as the game was dictated by defense, only three points were scored in total between the two teams during the four minutes of free hoops. Two of those were scored by the Falcons and they eked out the one-point win over Eau Claire.    Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2243.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1119320" style="width:514px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='759610' first='Elaina' last='Whalen'] led all Ben Lippen point-getters with 12. Eight of those 12 points were tallied between the second half and overtime. She also connected on the go-ahead two which put the Falcons ahead for good.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2209-crop-2663x1749-1735052947.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1119322" style="width:508px;height:auto" /></figure>   As is typically the case with Eau Claire contests, [player_tooltip player_id='378764' first='Destinee' last='Tiller'] did everything she could and then some. The star senior guard finished with 18 of the Shamrocks' 35 points. Ten of those were scored between the second half and overtime.   Up Next   Following the extended holiday break, next up for the Shamrocks will be its first matchup of region play at Chester on Jan. 10. The Falcons will take to the court next on Jan. 4 as they host Porter-Gaud.   Mauldin vs. Spring Valley (Green Division Championship)   When the Shamrocks and Falcons departed from the Lexington HS main gym, a pair of the 5A Division 1 realm's premier teams had their turn at the mic next. This one had a strong case to be presented as the game of the day.    Christmas Classic play began for Spring Valley on Saturday as coach Megan Assey's Vikings defeated 4A Lancaster. Spring Valley conclude last year's event with a 2-1 mark. Things began inauspiciously for the Vikings via a loss to North Augusta but turned around with wins over two other 4A teams in South Florence and Hartsville.    As for Mauldin, coach Angel McGowan's Mavericks it opened play at this year's tournament with a 22-point victory over one of the premier 1A teams in the state in Denmark-Olar. Those Vikings had won the last three consecutive 1A Upper State championships before moving to a Lower State region beginning this season.   The second victor of the day was Spring Valley. The Vikings put together a clinic on both ends of the floor to earn the 82-43 result over the Mavericks.   Remember What Happened Last Time?   Mauldin won the 2022-23 5A state championship. Prior to experiencing state euphoria at USC-Aiken against Stratford, the Mavericks prevailed over Spring Valley in the Upper State final at Bob Jones University. The final of that contest was 67-50.   Quarter-By-Quarter   With the number of Vikings fans that were on hand, Lexington felt like Spring Valley west. Green and gold nation had plenty to cheer for as the first quarter was all Spring Valley all the time. They had a 29-6 lead at the end of one.    The Vikings continued to pour on the points – and the Mavericks had few answers. Mauldin had a better second quarter than they did in the first, but Spring Valley opened up a 30-point, 51-21 lead at the half.    A track meet had broken out between the two teams – and that played to the Vikings' advantage given the big lead they had built. One quarter remained to decide a Green Division champion with Spring Valley cruising by a 70-39 margin over Mauldin.    A game that had a case on paper to be the game of the day was actually a one-sided contest. Appropriately, the team that has green as one of its signature colors would win the Green Bracket championship.    Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2318.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1119325" style="width:506px;height:auto" /></figure>   Mauldin's defense may still be trying to search for answers on how to contain the six feet of [player_tooltip player_id='651707' first='Mariana' last='Moody']. She led all scorers for either team with 31. Out of the 31 she had on the scoreboard, 21 occurred in the first half.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2326.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1119324" style="width:510px;height:auto" /></figure>   Moody may have had nearly as many points as the entire Mauldin team – but she could not have done it alone. The 14 points that was put on the scoreboard courtesy of sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='429822' first='Dominique' last='Briggs'].   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2324.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1119326" style="width:507px;height:auto" /></figure>   Also adding to Spring Valley's offensive onslaught was 14 points courtesy of veteran wing [player_tooltip player_id='320740' first='Lauren' last='Crosland']. She is also an efficient floor runner, rebounder and all-around playmaker – including in transition.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2321.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1119327" style="width:506px;height:auto" /></figure>   A veteran core is a huge reason why expectations are high this season at Spring Valley. Another senior – [player_tooltip player_id='268138' first='Zie'l' last='Ratchford'] added 11 points to the Vikings' cause. Ratchford picked up an offer from St. Clair Community College over the offseason and recently added one from Clinton College.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2256-crop-3073x2018-1735053629.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1119329" style="width:505px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='468191' first='Zara' last='Leamon'] still put together a valiant effort for Mauldin. She finished with 23 points. Leamon had 16 of those at the break. The Mavericks drained five 3-pointers as a team – four of which departed from Leamon's hands.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2262-crop-3057x2008-1735053742.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1119331" style="width:521px;height:auto" /></figure>   Mauldin also benefitted from the 11 points placed on the scoreboard from sophomore Zaria Jones. She is listed at 5-foot-6 on the Mavericks roster and has emerged as one of Mauldin's key players.   Up Next   Spring Valley's next takes to the court to begin its region slate in Jan. 3 at it hosts defending 5A state champion Sumter. Mauldin will also begin region play that same day – on the road at T.L. Hanna.    Saluda vs. Northside Christian (Purple Division Championship)   Fittingly all of the championship games had a similar theme – a team that was returning to the Lexington Christmas Classic vs. a newcomer to the event.    The Purple Division championship get-together was no exception. Northside Christian finished last year's Christmas Classic having gone 1-2 with the lone win being over North and the losses being against Laurens and Ben Lippen. Coach Jordan Leath's Crusaders (Leath is only his second year at the helm) have began 2024-25 with an unblemished record and kept that going with its opening round victory over Richland Northeast.    As for Saluda, coach Jeannette Wilder's Tigers were appropriately placed in the Purple Division and opened play with a victory over 3A Fox Creek.   That unblemished Crusaders mark remained unblemished. Northside Christian won the Purple Division with its 46-22 victory over Saluda.    Quarter-By-Quarter   Northside Christian looked like Northside Christian as it began the game with a 7-0 run which prompted a timeout from Saluda. That run was extended to 10-0 and the Crusaders lead over the Tigers was 13-5 following the first quarter.    Not much changed in the second quarter except for the Crusaders running up its advantage to double-digits. As halftime arrived, Northside Christian's advantage over Saluda had grown to 23-10.   Similar to how things were brewing between Mauldin and Spring Valley, another rout looked to be in the works. One quarter remained to determine the Purple Bracket champion with Northside Christian comfortably ahead by 26.   The final eight minutes were practically academic with the Crusaders once again ahead by a wide margin. Three games had concluded at that point and two of them – including Northside Christian's vs. Saluda – had ended with a lopsided result.   Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2378.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1119332" style="width:529px;height:auto" /></figure>   It was appropriate that [player_tooltip player_id='560668' first='Evie' last='Godfrey'] would be the leading scorer for the Crusaders given she previously wore Lexington blue and gold. Godfrey finished with 18 points and they were evenly distributed between the two halves.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2379.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1119333" style="width:533px;height:auto" /></figure>   Northside Christian's efforts were bolstered by the 10 points that came from Riah Beckwith. She shares team captaincy duties for the Crusaders and is one of three seniors on this season's Northside Christian rendition.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2335-crop-2471x1622-1735055523.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1119343" style="width:529px;height:auto" /></figure>   On what was otherwise a tough afternoon at the Lexington office for the Tigers, Saluda still got nine points courtesy of [player_tooltip player_id='1092422' first='Ceddrianna' last='Springs']. While listed as a shooting guard, Springs has also demonstrated that she can play at the point.   Up Next   Following the holiday break, Northside Christian will travel across the Savannah River to meet up with Augusta Christian on Jan. 7 at the start of region play. Saluda's next game will be the following day at 1A McCormick.   Fort Mill vs. Lexington (Pink Division Championship)   Fourth on the schedule was the Pink Division Championship game – a matchup of 5A blue and gold vs. 5A blue and gold.    At last year's Christmas Classic, the Wildcats were slated to match up against 2A Fairfield Central, but Lexington won via forfeit. The host team did not fare so well as the tournament progressed as they dropped games to Northwood Academy and North Augusta. This past Saturday, coach Molly Goodrich's Lexington assembling earned a dominant victory over 4A Lakewood to advance to Monday's championship game.    Fort Mill opened up Christmas Classic play on Saturday with a 63-47 win. Coach Nathan Wruble's Yellow Jackets defeated fellow 5A foe Westwood.   Wildcats were more a bit more ferocious than Yellow Jackets on Monday afternoon. Lexington won the Pink Division championship with its 60-53 win over Fort Mill.    Quarter-By-Quarter   Lexington did well in defending its home court in the first quarter. The Wildcats made things difficult for Fort Mill with an effective interior attack. With one in the books, it was Wildcats 16 and Yellow Jackets 11.    The second quarter foretold that this game would be closer to the Eau Claire vs. Ben Lippen matchup as opposed to the routs that were Spring Valley vs. Mauldin and Northside Christian vs. Saluda. At the break, Lexington's lead on Fort Mill was 29-26.   Both Lexington and Fort Mill continued to prove how evenly matched they were as the third quarter progressed. Twenty-four minutes had elapsed and the Wildcats had a slim 40-38 lead on the Yellow Jackets.   Just as the earlier Eau Claire vs. Ben Lippen get-together went, Fort Mill vs. Lexington also saw both Yellow Jackets and Wildcats tied up following 32 minutes. Four more minutes were needed with both teams tied at 51.   Additional minutes of basketball come down to which team executes its plays more often. Lexington did that more than Fort Mill and the Wildcats defended its home court for the Pink Bracket championship.    Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2459.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1119335" style="width:485px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='452367' first='Sydni' last='Anderson']'s play in the paint proved to be too much for Fort Mill to handle. She finished with 25 points. If she had the ball near the rim, it was virtually an automatic two points for the Wildcats.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2460.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1119336" style="width:481px;height:auto" /></figure>   Also with another huge game for the Wildcats was Izzy Saville. She added 18 to Lexington's cause. Saville also had herself another productive game from behind the arc as she was responsible for four of the team's five made 3-pointers.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2462.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1119339" style="width:478px;height:auto" /></figure>   For Fort Mill, the 18 points that came courtesy of Kate Marker kept the Yellow Jackets in the thick of things from start to finish. Out of the 18 she scored, 13 occurred in the first half of action.   Up Next   Both teams will be back in action on Jan. 3 following the extended break. Next on the schedule for Lexington is a home contest against Cardinal Newman while Fort Mill begin region play with a matchup on the road at Clover.    North Augusta vs. Dutch Fork (Gold Division Championship)   Last, but certainly not least, was the Gold Division championship game – one that also had a strong case to be advertised as the game of the day.   North Augusta is a mainstay at the Lexington Christmas Classic. At last year's version, coach Al Young's team went 2-1 with wins over Spring Valley and the host Wildcats but dropping a contest to eventual 4A state champion Riverside. The Yellow Jackets began Christmas Classic play with a win over 5A Byrnes – and had yet to drop a game against an in-state opponent.    On the other side was Dutch Fork which was undefeated coming into play after the 2023-24 season the Silver Foxes put together where they only lost on four occasions. Coach Candace Bush's Silver Foxes opened Christmas Classic play with a victory over another 5A team in Blythewood.    Closing out the day's play at Lexington HS would be North Augusta prevailing over Dutch Fork by a margin of 49-31 to win the Gold Division crown.   Remember What Happened Last Time?   The Christmas Classic meeting between North Augusta and Dutch Fork was the first time these two shared the same court since December of 2022. In that contest, the Yellow Jackets (eventual 4A state champions that season) scored the 54-41 win over the Silver Foxes.    Quarter-By-Quarter   North Augusta did open the game quick out of the gate. The Yellow Jackets embarked on a 7-1 run to start things, but one had to believe that Dutch Fork would have a run in it as potent as the team is. It was 14-6 in the favor of the Yellow Jackets after one.    The Silver Foxes managed to make it a one-possession game before another extended Yellow Jackets scoring binge expanded the gap to double-digits. At the half, North Augusta doubled up on Dutch Fork, leading 28-14.   Following the 10 minutes of halftime, points began to come at a premium for both teams but North Augusta was successful in growing its lead even more. One quarter remained to decide the Gold Division champion and the team wearing gold had a 37-18 edge over the Silver Foxes.   As potent a team as Dutch Fork is, North Augusta could not rest despite its large lead. Fortunately for the Yellow Jackets, that extended Silver Foxes run never happened and North Augusta was crowned Gold Bracket champions.   Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2546.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1119345" style="width:459px;height:auto" /></figure>   Three for the Yellow Jackets finished in double-digits. In fact, those three combined for 42 of North Augusta's 49 points. One of those was [player_tooltip player_id='350281' first='Celena' last='Grant']. The junior concluded her afternoon with 18 points.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2548.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1119346" style="width:458px;height:auto" /></figure>   North Augusta also benefitted from the 13 points that were placed on the scoreboard courtesy of [player_tooltip player_id='577618' first='Kenedi' last='Wright']. She had eight of her 13 in the first half. Wright is one of five juniors on this year's roster.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2551-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1119347" style="width:469px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='444371' first='Ashley' last='Walker'] added 11 points to the Yellow Jackets total. As a team, North Augusta made three 3-point attempts. Walker had two of those. The sophomore is one of five 2026's on this year's team.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2479-crop-2840x1865-1735056244.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1119349" style="width:473px;height:auto" /></figure>   The rest of the Silver Foxes encountered uncharacteristic struggles but that was not the case for [player_tooltip player_id='339069' first='Michaela' last='Fairwell']. The UC-San Diego commit led Dutch Fork with a 15-point performance. She had nine of her 15 in the second half.   Up Next   North Augusta will continue midseason tournament play the day after Christmas Day when it participates in the Laney Wildcat Shootout against Academy of Richmond County out of Georgia. Dutch Fork will take a break from the court but will return to said court on Jan. 7 when it hosts 3A Keenan.

One of the largest schools in the state, 5A Lexington has hosted two midseason tournaments prior to the holidays. Both took place in late November