Lexington Christmas Classic: Good as Gold

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another year of the Lexington Christmas Classic is in the books.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A great deal of scintillating basketball took place on the two courts at 5A Lexington HS between the 13 varsity teams and several junior varsity teams that were on hand at the home of the Wildcats.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Many of those matchups occurred in the Gold Bracket that featured a laundry list of noteworthy teams – including North Augusta, Northwood Academy, Hartsville and Riverside. Who were some of those notables that stood out in those Gold Bracket contest? Without further adieu, here is who were good as gold at the home court of the blue and gold.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["371196"],"_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":823753,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003ePlaying back-to-back games in different areas of a state can be a very taxing endeavor. That was the case for Haroski and her Warriors as they played the first game at this year's Lexington Christmas Classic. The travel did not faze her nor her team as Haroski led all Riverside point-getters with a 19-point performance to lead her Warriors to a 66-45 victory over another 4A team in South Florence. The evening before, the Warriors were locked in a tough matchup against a 5A team from the upstate in Gaffney – Riverside prevailed in that contest with the final score being 80-74.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657fb5f945a44"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["385365"],"_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":823765,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eMontgomery, an upperclassman, is listed as the team captain for this year's rendition of 4A South Florence. Captains are supposed to steer ships – through both smooth and choppy waters and Montgomery certainly did that as her Bruins encountered choppy seas against another tough 4A bunch in Riverside. Montgomery finished with 20 points to lead all scorers. She particularly showcased what she could get accomplished from behind the 3-point line as she drained five 3-pointers for the game. She is listed at 5-foot-5 and typically plays in the backcourt as a guard. Montgomery will also corral her fair share of rebounds and can create additional possessions for her team with the steals she collects.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657fb5f945b0b"} /--> <!-- 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":823766,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThe North Augusta standout 2027 had herself another [player_tooltip player_id='444371' first='Ashley' last='Walker']-esque game as she took home Player of the Game honors in what was a 70-56 triumph over Spring Valley. Ironically, the Vikings were the same team the Yellow Jackets matched up against in the first round of last season's Lexington Christmas Classic en route to a Gold Division championship. Spring Valley's defense had few answers for the offensive clinic that Walker was a main part of. Whether it is her 3-point shooting capabilities, her willingness to draw contact and get to the free throw line or how she hauls in rebounds, Walker is a lot for any opposing team to game plan for. She will also collect her fair share of steals as well.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657fb5f945bdd"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["268138"],"_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":555598,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eNorth Augusta is a tough out for any opponent – there is a reason why the Yellow Jackets are defending 4A champions. Spring Valley, the 5A Upper State finalists from last season are a tough out as well and Ratchford's Vikings squad played North Augusta tough. Ratchford and her Vikings may have been on the receiving end of a 70-56 decision to the Yellow Jackets, but her 21 points led Spring Valley in what was a gutsy effort. She is willing to fall to the floor to complete a play in addition to providing a great deal of energy on defense. Ratchford is also confident in her ability to drain 3-pointers and has blossomed into an overall team leader for the Vikings.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657fb5f945c75"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["171805"],"_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":823791,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eIf not for earlier defeats to 4A Westside and 5A Ashley Ridge, we may be talking about an unbeaten Northwood Academy team. The Chargers, who have played a heavy mid-season tournament slate, made the trip up Interstate 26 and earned a hard-fought 56-54 win over 4A Hartsville. With 25 points, Birch paved the way to victory for Northwood Academy. Her first season in the varsity ranks was as an eighth grader. Two other worthwhile elements Birch provides for the winning Chargers are the ability to haul in rebounds and to create additional possessions for her team with the steals she collects.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657fb5f945d0f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["175350"],"_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":823796,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eEven though the Red Foxes suffered a tough 56-54 defeat to SCISA 4A Northwood Academy to conclude Saturday's action at the Lexington Christmas Classic, Frierson's 17 points kept Hartsville in the matchup from start to finish. Frierson is a two-sport athlete who also plays varsity soccer to go alongside what she does on the basketball court. The lockdown defense she can play on an opposing ball carrier can lead to Frierson blocking said adversary's shot. Offensively, she is difficult to contain, particularly when attacking the rim. Grabbing rebounds and collecting steals are two other strong elements to the upperclassman's game.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657fb5f945da5"} /-->