Lexington Christmas Classic: Top 10 Performers (1-5)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lexington – the 5A Division 1 school home to the Wildcats – was already one of two high schools (along with 5A Division 2 Irmo) that played host to this year's She Got Next Thanksgiving Classic. Recently, the Wildcats' home court was the site of another tournament.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That tournament was its own Christmas Classic. In addition to a varsity tournament, there is also one that welcomes junior varsity teams. The majority of the field features South Carolina teams but this year's also welcomed one from the neighboring state of Georgia.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We at Prep Girls Hoops were out in Lexington for the final day of games. Here is the first half of our top 10 performers from Monday's contests.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["468191"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1569121,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6949fb1e38ef2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sunday's contest between Mauldin and Lexington was not only for the Christmas Classic's Blue Bracket championship – it served as a possible 5A Division 1 Upper State tournament preview. The 21 points placed on the scoreboard by Leamon not only won the Blue Bracket for the Mavericks – it handed the host Wildcats their first loss of the season. There is a reason as to why Leamon was on the radar of Morgan State – where she will play her collegiate ball following this season. Her versatility is part of it as she can play in iso situations indicative of many guards and with her back to the basket in the paint – indicative of many forwards and bigs. Rebounding is another strong area of her game and she has displayed throughout her career that she is at her best in big moments. Leamon has played at the varsity level since she was an eighth grader. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["444371"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1569124,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6949fb1e38f96"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pink Bracket championship honors were bestowed on 4A North Augusta following the Yellow Jackets' 46-32 victory over one of the toughest 5A Division 1 outs there is in Dutch Fork. Walker had another productive day with a 17-point effort. What makes Walker such a matchup problem is her ability to attempt – and connect – from deep. Walker also maintains a high degree of activity that can leave opponents confused on how to contain her and the attention she can attract from defenses can have opponents in position to make plays. Walker is one of four 2027s on this year's Yellow Jackets team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["873915"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1569125,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6949fb1e38ff2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Predators of 3A Fox Creek had a successful weekend at 5A Division 1 Lexington. With 14 points in a 38-30 victory over another 3A combatant in Woodruff, Jennings led the Preds to the Green Bracket championship. Jennings is an excellent blend of talent and veteran instincts. One can place Jennings in a team's lineup at the three or the four in addition to finding plenty of time at the wing. Her athletic schedule stays busy especially following the new year as she plays third base on the Fox Creek varsity softball team. Rebounding is another strong aspect to her well-developed game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1569136,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Latia Ray","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12123","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Richland Northeast","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6949fb1e39094"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sunday's matchup between 4A Richland Northeast and the Razorbacks of 3A Cross Creek from Georgia had a slightly later start time than expected. It was worth the wait for Ray and her Cavaliers as her 12 points led the way over their Peach State adversaries. Coaches want players that can make free throws in crunch time. Ray managed to do that as the veteran guard saw plenty of playing time when the matchup was on the line. She is also one of the team's leaders in assists, steals and rebounds. Ray is among the three juniors on this season's Richland Northeast team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["894829"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1569146,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6949fb1e390f7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The third-place game in the tournament's Pink Bracket saw 5A Division 1 Spring Valley up against a tough test – SCISA 4A Hammond. Behind a solid defensive effort – and 11 points from Moody – The Vikings earned a hard-fought defensive victory over the Skyhawks. Moody plays like seasoned veteran – and co-team captain – that she is. Her bread and butter is what she gets accomplished in the frontcourt and she takes full advantage of her 5-foot-10 frame as a scorer and a rebounder. The willingness to draw contact to get to the free throw line is another strong element to her game – this was seen in the matchup with Hammond as five of her 11 points were tallied at the charity stripe. Moody is one of three seniors on this year's Spring Valley team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->