She Got Next Christmas Classic: Morning and Early Afternoon

The early and middle portions of December took somewhat of a lull because of the academic calendar being centered around exams. With those exams in the rear-view mirror, basketball can take center stage for the next couple of months.    This includes in South Carolina's Upstate where the second of three She Got Next events took place. This year's She Got Next Christmas Tournament, hosted by A1 Hoops Report, once again emanated from J.L. Mann HS, but was different from last season's where games occurred at both J.L. Mann and Mauldin HS.    We at Prep Girls Hoops made the trip up to the home of the 5A Patriots for the full day of games on Saturday. Without further ado, here is how the morning and early afternoon slate played out.    Woodmont vs. Southside   The first matchup on the eight-game card featured a pair of teams that did not participate in last season's She Got Next Christmas Tournament.    Southside is playing its first season following its move up from 3A to 4A. The Tigers entered She Got Next play at 4-3 with two wins apiece against Berea and Carolina Academy. Meanwhile, the 2024-25 season has started with mixed results for Woodmont despite previously being ranked at No. 4 in the 5A Division 2 coaches' poll.    The initial victor of the day would be the Tigers as they earned the hard-fought 49-46 win over the Wildcats.    Remember What Happened Last Time?   Wildcats fans would rather forget what happened their team shared a court with the Tigers. That came in December of 2009 – and the result was a lopsided 76-34 result in Southside's favor.   Quarter-By-Quarter   Minutes one through eight of this game would see a formidable interior attack of the Wildcats match up against the 3-point shooting of Southside. Advantage Tigers after those first eight minutes as it was 15-9 in favor of Southside with one complete.    Woodmont embarked on a 9-0 run to begin the second quarter and it enabled the Wildcats to conclude the first half with the lead. That lead was three points – 23-20 – over Southside with 16 minutes having been played.    Southside answered in kind with an extended scoring binge of their own. That Tigers run was 13-0. As the third quarter concluded, it was Southside who built a 35-28 advantage over Woodmont.   The Wildcats managed to make things interesting late. With the score at 49-46 in the Tigers' favor, Woodmont had a pair of chances to tie the game with a 3-pointer, but those three points were left on the court to seal the Southside victory.   Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2054.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1117698" style="width:537px;height:auto" /></figure>   The close Tigers victory was keyed by a pair of senior guards. One of whom was Jasmine Hollis who led all Southside point-getters with 18 points. All of her buckets were of the 3-point variety – six in total.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2052.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1117699" style="width:531px;height:auto" /></figure>   The other was Kamariya McKinney who added 12 points to what was a winning Southside effort. McKinney effectively played the more traditional one role where she did her damage by attacking the basket.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2057.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1117700" style="width:524px;height:auto" /></figure>   Woodmont's bigs kept the Wildcats in the contest from start to finish. One of those was [player_tooltip player_id='555429' first='Tyana' last='Pullman'] who also tallied 18 points. Of the 18 that she scored, 13 occurred in the first half of play.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2058.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1117701" style="width:521px;height:auto" /></figure>   Along with Pullman, the Wildcats threw interior depth off their bench in the form of [player_tooltip player_id='1318811' first='Kendall' last='Cobb']. She added 10 points to the Woodmont cause. The sophomore also plays volleyball alongside her basketball exploits.   Up Next   Southside' s victory moves it into the championship game of the Gold Bracket. That game is scheduled for Dec. 23. As is the third-place game which Woodmont will participate in. Their opponents would be decided in the next contest that was to take place.    Fairfield Central vs. Greer   Two teams with similar school color schemes would take to the J.L. Mann court next.    These were also two teams that were part of last season's She Got Next festivities. The Griffins last season went 1-1 as they began the tournament with a loss to 2A Timberland before bouncing back with a victory over 1A Scott's Branch. The Yellow Jackets also went 1-1 at last year's She Got Next Christmas Classic and both of its opponents hail from the 4A ranks. Greer lost to Bluffton before responding with a victory over SCISA 4A team Cardinal Newman.    Greer's black and Vegas gold was better than Fairfield Central's black and Vegas gold on Saturday as the Yellow Jackets prevailed over the Griffins with the final score being 52-43.    Remember What Happened Last Time?    Just as Woodmont fans would want to forget its last contest with Southside prior to this year's She Got Next Christmas Tournament, the same applies for Fairfield Central fans in terms of the last time it was on a court with Greer. The Yellow Jackets in late December of 2022 routed the Griffins with the final being 64-34.    Quarter-By-Quarter   Greer had the more auspicious beginning to this one as the Yellow Jackets embarked on a 9-2 run. Fairfield Central had a bit more success finding the hoop as the frame elapsed, but Greer would assume a 20-8 lead on the Griffins with one in the books.    Success in the interior for the Griffins was matching up against a balanced scoring effort from the Yellow Jackets in the second quarter. When halftime arrived, Greer had a 32-20 edge thanks to a strong second quarter close.   Improved offensive efficiency and tightened defense equaled a 10-0 run for Fairfield Central to begin the third quarter. What was a 12-point deficit became only two. It was six at the end of the third as the Yellow Jackets had a 36-30 edge.   Just as Greer delivered a strong close in the second quarter, the Yellow Jackets also did the same in the fourth quarter. That sealed the deal for the 4A team to earn its third victory of this season.   Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2119.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1117703" style="width:476px;height:auto" /></figure>   Stop us if one has heard this before – [player_tooltip player_id='371890' first='Samora' last='Moody'] had a big game for Greer. The Yellow Jackets' senior standout concluded her afternoon with a 19-point performance. Attacking the rim and making her free throws was here she thrived on Saturday.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2122.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1117707" style="width:481px;height:auto" /></figure>   Another senior guard provided a bit of scoring depth for the Yellow Jackets. That guard was Madison Zayas who added 13 to Greer's total. Included in those 13 were all three 3-pointers Greer made as a team.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2125.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1117709" style="width:477px;height:auto" /></figure>   The Griffins remained in the contest from start to finish in large part because of a spirited effort from [player_tooltip player_id='252632' first='Zanariah' last='Yarborough']. Fairfield Central's resident senior big gave her Griffins 20 of the team's 43 points.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2123.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1117712" style="width:476px;height:auto" /></figure>   Ten of those 43 points came by way of [player_tooltip player_id='324559' first='Jazzlyn' last='McMillan']. She encountered a few uncharacteristic struggles for much of the game but managed to find success late with getting to the basket.   Up Next   The win meant that Greer would meet up with Southside in the Gold Bracket championship game on Monday while Fairfield Central would vie with Woodmont for third place.    Daniel vs. Fountain Inn   When the Griffins and Yellow Jackets departed from the J.L. Mann court, the next contest on the schedule, on paper, had a strong case for game of the day.    The Lions of 4A Daniel are playing its first season since its move up from the 3A classification. Daniel has established itself as one of the teams to beat in 4A play as evidenced by its No. 6 ranking in the coaches poll. The Lions were also part of last season's She Got Next Christmas Classic and dropped games to First Baptist and Gaffney.    Fountain Inn did not take part in last season's She Got Next Christmas Classic – but the Fury have resembled a team that has got next in the 4A ranks. Fountain Inn entered play on Saturday at 8-2 – and when those two losses are against 5A titans in Gaffney and Mauldin, one must be doing something correct. The Fury were also No. 7 in the most recent coaches poll.    The first meeting ever between these two teams would see the Lions score the 62-51 victory over the Fury.    Quarter-By-Quarter   A classic game of runs ensued in the first quarter. Daniel began the contest with a 7-0 run only to be answered by six consecutive Fountain Inn points. At the end of one quarter, the Lions led the Fury by a margin of 9-6.   In the second quarter, Daniel once again embarked on an extended scoring – only for there to be not much of an answer from Fountain Inn. At the break, the Lions established a 10-point, 28-18 lead over the Fury.   Fountain Inn matched its best offensive quarter in the third stanza but Daniel still maintained its double-digit edge. In fact – it grew to 12. With one quarter remaining, the Lions advantage was 42-30.   Daniel vs. Fountain Inn was the highest scoring contest of the three that took place up to that point. Fortunately for the Lions, their point output was higher than that of Fountain Inn's 51. Daniel had won its eighth game of the season.   Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2142.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1117714" style="width:516px;height:auto" /></figure>   The Lions scoring attack proved to be too much for the Fury. That scoring binge was keyed by the 13 points of junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1318813' first='Braelin' last='Cumbie']. Out of the 13 she placed on the scoreboard, nine 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_2148.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1117715" style="width:512px;height:auto" /></figure>   Also with 13 was freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='827524' first='Campbell' last='Epting']. She showcased her ability to score from all three levels. Out of 13 she tallied, seven occurred in the first half. Epting is one of only two freshman on the 2024-25 Daniel rendition.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2146.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1117716" style="width:506px;height:auto" /></figure>   Guard play was once again the story for the Lions. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='753233' first='Lila' last='Mann'] concluded her afternoon with a 12-point afternoon. The 5-foot-7 guard is one of five sophomores 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_2145.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1117717" style="width:504px;height:auto" /></figure>   Colleen Dimaio adds a veteran presence to the Lions as she is a 2025. She finished with 10 points and may have added more if not for an injury that prevented her from playing a good portion of the second half.    A blend of experience and youth in the interior were key to the Fountain Inn attack on Saturday. The youth came in the form of [player_tooltip player_id='1319101' first='Azaria' last='Johnson'], the Fury's lone freshman. She led Fountain Inn with 12 points.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2132-crop-1833x1204-1734886532.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1117719" style="width:488px;height:auto" /></figure>   The experience occurred in the form of [player_tooltip player_id='1248520' first='Aniya' last='Brown']. She added 11 to Fountain Inn's total. Out of the 11 points she tallied, six happened in the first half. Brown can give a team productive minutes either as a guard or in the frontcourt as a three.    Up Next   Daniel's win sent them to the championship game of the Platinum Bracket on Monday while the defeat for Fountain Inn meant they would compete for third place earlier that same day. Their respective opponents would be determined when host J.L. Mann took on another 5A combatant in Goose Creek.    Berea vs. Emerald   She Got Next Christmas Classic play last season was without either Berea or Emerald. It had both 4A teams this season.    One of the teams is also a newcomer to the 4A realm. To the Bulldogs' credit, they are already one win better than the four-win showing they had in 2023-24. Two of those wins were against Carolina Academy, one was against Liberty and another was at the expense of Easley.    Emerald has had an interesting schedule up to this point. The only teams the Vikings have played have been Clinton, Crescent and Ninety Six. Emerald has dropped both contests to the Red Devils, prevailed in both matchups with the Tigers and split its two games with the Wildcats.    The first contest that Emerald would play that was not against either of the three aforementioned foes went the way of the Bulldogs. The result was a 36-24 decision for Berea over Emerald.    Remember What Happened Last Time?    It was only three seasons ago when Emerald and Berea last met – and this was a year after both were 3A teams. That game was all Vikings all the time in an 81-24 decision in the first round of that year's state tournament.    Quarter-By-Quarter   Would a high-scoring track meet between Daniel and Fountain Inn be followed by a defensive struggle between Berea and Emerald? That appeared to be the case as the Bulldogs, save for giving up a pair of Vikings field goals, pitched a shutout in the first quarter. With one in the books, Berea built a 9-4 lead.   The Vikings managed to trim the gap and stay within striking distance of the Bulldogs in the second quarter. As halftime commenced, Berea's lead was narrowed down to three – 17-14 to be exact.    Berea won the third quarter as it managed to extend its lead into double-digits. Eight minutes remained to determine the first Silver Bracket winner of the day and the Bulldogs had the 29-19 gap on Emerald.   The Bulldogs and Vikings did indeed combine for the lowest scoring contest of the four that had taken place up to that point. A defensive-minded get-together resulted in a 12-point victory for Berea.    Primetime Performers   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/IMG_2150.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1117720" style="width:547px;height:auto" /></figure>   Even defensive-minded contests have stars who shined on offense. For the Bulldogs that was [player_tooltip player_id='884937' first='London' last='Wakefield'] – a freshman guard. She scored 13 points. Out of those 13, nine 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_2152.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1117721" style="width:549px;height:auto" /></figure>   Even though the Vikings as a team had a rough afternoon at the J.L. Mann office, Le'asia Morgan was a bright spot for Emerald. The junior forward led all scorers for the Vikings with 10 points. Morgan stands at a towering 6-foot-2.   Up Next   Half of the championship and third-place contests in the Silver Bracket were determined as a result of Berea's win over Emerald. Their opponents in those respective Monday contests would be determined later in the day when Wade Hampton took on Carolina Academy.

The early and middle portions of December took somewhat of a lull because of the academic calendar being centered around exams. With those exams in the rear-view mirror, basketball can take center stage for the next couple of months.