The girls basketball season has reached its midway point following the holiday break. 

Last week, a handful of Lexington County teams concluded tournament action, and some returned home as first-place winners. 

The most prominent girls basketball tournament in Lexington County was the Christmas Classic at Lexington High School. Lexington, Dutch Fork and Northside Christian, three of the area's top teams competed against other schools from around the state. 

Lexington and Northside each went 2-0 and won their bracket in the tournament. Dutch Fork won its first game but lost in its bracket championship game, giving the Silver Foxes their first loss of the season. 

Northside Christian defeated Richland Northeast in its first game of the purple division bracket. The Crusaders won that game 50-38.

Three players reached double-digit scoring against the Cavaliers. Evie Godfrey led the way with 19 points and seven steals. Campbell Childers had 15 points, and Chaelyn Tifre had a double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds. 

In the purple championship game, Northside faced Saluda and dominated the entire way. 

It was another big performance from Godfrey, who finished with 19 points, six assists and seven steals. Riah Beckwith had 10 points. Tifre and Arabella Yaroszewski had a big game on the glass, grabbing 14 and 15 rebounds respectively. 

Northside’s wins put the team at 14-0. It is the Crusaders’ best start in program history, and all but one win has been by at least 12 points. 

Lexington crushed Lakewood 74-22 in game one of the pink bracket. Keira Bobseine led all scorers with 17 points. Jaleya Lytes had 14, and Izzy Saville had 12. 

The pink championship game was much closer than Lexington’s first game, but the Wildcats still prevailed, beating Fort Mill 60-53 in overtime. 

Sydni Anderson put the team on her back and led the way with a 25-point, 13-rebound double-double. Izzy Saville added 18 points.

The game was close the entire time, despite Lexington leading for a majority of the game. The Wildcats led by three at halftime before Fort Mill tied the game. In overtime, Lexington outscored the Yellow Jackets 9-2. 

Lexington improved to 7-2 with the win. The team has games this week against Cardinal Newman and Catawba Ridge before beginning region play next week against Irmo.

Dutch Fork lost its first game of the season after falling in the gold division championship game to North Augusta, 49-31. The Silver Foxes defeated previously unbeaten Blythewood in their first game of the competition, 65-53. 

The Silver Foxes fell to 10-1 this season and will have a chance to get back on track with a game against Keenan before starting region play at Chapin. 

Three other Lexington County teams participated in holiday tournaments this past weekend after the Chronicles press deadline. 

Chapin and Irmo participated in the Bennie Bennett Memorial Tournament. The Eagles had games against Newberry and Mid Carolina before playing a third game on Monday.

Irmo played Mid Carolina first and then Newberry before playing its third and final game of the tournament on Monday.

Brookland-Cayce participated in the Carvers Bay Showcase and had three games. The team started with a game against Ashley Hall, then played Andrews and ended the tournament against Georgetown. 

This week, most of the teams from Lexington County will be back on the court. Most teams have just a few more games before region play begins late next week. Other teams have already begun region action and will resume fighting for playoff positioning this week. 

Big Performances 

Sydni Anderson had a double-double in Lexington’s last game of the Christmas Classic, scoring 25 points and 13 rebounds. 

Kadence Walker-Lee scored 18 points and added 14 rebounds in Gray Collegiate’s win over Wando. 

Evie Godfrey helped Northside Christian win their final Christmas Classic game, scoring 19 points, six assists and seven steals.

Jaliyah Daniel had 14 points, nine rebounds and five steals in White Knoll’s win over Huss.

Upcoming games to watch 

River Bluff at Denmark-Olar - Jan. 2

Lexington vs. Cardinal Newman - Jan. 3

Gray Collegiate vs. Butler (GA) - Jan. 4

White Knoll vs. Lower Richland - Jan. 6

Dutch Fork vs. Keenan - Jan. 7

Last Week’s Scores

Dutch Fork- North Augusta (49-31, L)

Lexington- Fort Mill (60-53, W OT)

White Knoll- Huss (41-37, W OT)

Gray Collegiate- Wando (54-49, W)

Northside Christian- Saluda (46-22, W)