(Photo by Lexington High School Boys Basketball) The Lexington boys basketball team visit Cameron Indoor Stadium, the home of the Duke Blue Devils.
By Thomas Grant Jr.
During Robert Wells’ tenure as Brookland-Cayce boys basketball coach, the Roundball Classic was a holiday staple in the Lexington County community.
He’s now brought the 3-day tournament with him to Lexington High School. Renamed the Lexington Roundball Classic, the seventh edition of the event will feature 16 teams from South Carolina and Georgia competing in two divisions.
This year’s field includes 10 preseason-ranked teams such as J.F. Byrnes, North Augusta, C.A. Johnson and Dutch Fork. Among the top players expected to play include Colt Fowler (Byrnes), Quh’mareon Webb (North Augusta), Aissaic Germany and Tony Comb (both of C.A. Johnson) and Justus Bell (Dutch Fork).
Host school Lexington will open play Friday against Mauldin. The Wildcats are coming off winning two of three games at the First Bank Charger Classic in Raleigh, N.C.
After suffering an 83-52 loss to Charlotte Christian, the Wildcats rebounded for a 63-57 win over Charlottesville (Va.). Jeremiah Howard scored 24 points and All-Tournament team selection Sam Mills had 14.
On Monday, Lexington edged Franklinton (N.C.) 51-50 as Samarion Glenn scored 11 points and Howard added 10.
While the boys were in the Tar Heel State, Wildcat gym was the site of the annual Christmas Classic for girls’ basketball.
The Lexington junior varsity team continued its success in the 2-day tournament They defeated Mauldin 39-25 to win the Teal Division.
McPherson Farrell and Izzy Ramos were named Co-MVPs of the game.
The third-ranked Lexington varsity girls did not fare as well in its Blue Division final matchup with the Lady Mavericks. The Lady Wildcats suffered their first loss of the season in the 55-42 setback.
Mauldin had a 14-4 lead at the end of the first quarter. A 17-6 run capped by a 3-pointer by Keira Bobseine gave Lexington its only lead at 22-20 in the second quarter.
The Lady Mavericks closed the first half with an 8-1 run to take a 28-23 lead. MVP Zara Leamon scored 10 of her game-high 21 points in the second quarter.
Mauldin stretched its lead as many as 17 points. Despite foul trouble, senior center Sydni Anderson finished with 13 points and Jaleya Lytes added 12.
LEXINGTON ROUNDBALL CLASSIC
NATIONAL BRACKET
(Friday’s Games)
Fort Mill vs. Lower Richland (Auxiliary Gym) 5 p.m.
J.F. Byrnes vs. Horse Creek 6 p.m.
Mauldin vs. Lexington 7:30 p.m.
Fox Creek vs. Ben Lippen 9 p.m.
(Saturday’s Games)
Semifinals 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Consolation Games 1 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
(Sunday’s Games)
3rd place game – 12:30 p.m.
Final – 3:30 p.m.
AMERICAN BRACKET
(Friday’s Games)
Dutch Fork vs. Hammond noon
North Augusta vs. White Knoll 1:30 p.m.
T.L. Hanna vs. Loris 3 p.m.
C.A. Johnson vs. Indian Land 4:30 p.m.
(Saturday’s Games)
Consolation Games – 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Semifinals – 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
(Sunday’s Games)
Consolation Games – 11 a.m. (Auxiliary Gym)
Third place game – 2 p.m.
Final – 5 p.m.
B-L placed 3rd in tournament
The Hoops for Hope Holiday Tournament took place Dec. 17-19 at Batesburg-Leesville High School.
A total of eight teams took part in the tournament that was won by Aiken by a 76-70 win over Chapin.
The Panthers opened with a 73-36 win over Columbia. Ta’maj Gilliam had 21 points; Jaden Millhouse added 14 points and Braylen Davis finished with 12 points.
Batesburg-Leesville then fell 74-70 to the Eagles in the semifinal. Millhouse led the Panthers with 24 points and Davis added 23 in the loss.
They finished the tournament with a 64-39 win over the Aussie Basketball Travelers. Gilliam finished with 21 points, Davis had 19 and Millhouse scored 10 points.
S.C. BASKETBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION RANKINGS
BOYS
Class 2A
1. Liberty, 2. High Point Academy, 3. Andrew Jackson High, 4. Chesnee, 5. American Leadership Academy, 6. Lake Marion, 7. Philip Simmons, 8. East Clarendon, 9. Saluda, 10. Batesburg-Leesville
GIRLS
Class 5A
(Division I)
1. Spartanburg, 2. Byrnes, 3. Lexington, 4. Mauldin, 5. JL Mann, 6. Dutch Fork, 7. Wando, 8. Dorman, 9. West Ashley, 10. Blythewood
(Class 2A)
1. Clinton, 2. Atlantic Collegiate, 3. Andrew Jackson, 4. Lake City, 5. Burke, 6. Timberland, 7. Blacksburg, 8. Landrum, 9. Saluda, 10. Kingstree
