Lexington Roundball Classic: Standout Senior Guards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>USE CODE “baxley30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 Lexington Roundball Classic continued on Saturday, December 27th, at Lexington High School. Formerly the Cayce Roundball Classic, this event has quickly become one of the premier events in the South Carolina High School Basketball Calendar. This year, it featured 16 teams across two brackets, with the champions being Fort Mill and North Augusta. Prep Hoops SC was in attendance for day two's eight-game slate, and these are the six senior guards who had the biggest stand-out performances. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1259499"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-6951da1f3cc35"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">First up on my list of Standout Senior Guards from Saturday in Lexington is [player_tooltip player_id='1259499' first='Nathan' last='Wilbourne']. Wilbourne was at his best in Mauldin's semifinal against Fort Mill, efficiently putting the basket to the tune of 30 points on 3-6 3FG. He was able to use his size to finish through contact around the rim and shoot over defenders off the bounce. Nate also impressed me with his passing in this one, frequently making the correct read against varying pick-and-roll coverages. When he is hitting shots and making good decisions, like he did yesterday, Wilbourne is one of the best senior guards in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2289958"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-6951da1f3ccc6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If you are like strong, physical guards who play with a bit of an edge, Rouse is your guy. He has an impressive frame, which helps him finish in the paint, create space for jumpers, and hold up as a multi-positional defender. Although Jordan was getting his usual two-point production, he also added four catch-and-shoot threes. North Augusta doesn't shoot a ton of threes as a team, so when guys like Rouse can chip in with big games, it makes them a hard team to beat and him a complete, three-level scorer. When it comes to intensity, Jordan will always bring it on both ends, and he often uses it wisely to boost his game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1848632"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-6951da1f3cd20"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1848632' first='Tony' last='Odom'] was out the last time I saw the Hornets, so it was good to see him back on the court and playing well at the Lexington Roundball Classic. He had a nice game despite the loss, putting up 13 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. He showcased an array of jump-shot making, knocking down a heavily-contested left-wing three, a deep straightaway three, a spot-up right-wing three, and an and-one mid-range pull-up. Tony is always comfortable playing off the catch, where he can shoot it or get to his spots in the mid-range, and that will come in handy as the Hornets attempt to make a run at the Class A State Championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1605781"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-6951da1f3cd6e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of Saturday's surprises from a team standpoint was Lower Richland's victory over the hosts. A key reason behind that win was the second-half play of James, who put up 14 of his 25 points over the final 16:00. Mario's ability to frequently make the right play gave them an advantage over their opponent, and even though he's not the most athletic or talented player, he simply provides a high floor each game. Along with timely scoring, James also chipped in with some work on the glass, forced turnovers, and precision passing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2868864"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-6951da1f3cdc0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jason was a major bright spot for Fox Creek in their loss to Byrnes. The rematch was not nearly as tight as the first game, but Rogers Jr. impressed off the bench with 19 points and 4 steals. He did a little bit of everything on offense, such as crafty finishing, transition playmaking, perimeter shooting, and even some unselfish passing. Jason has some solid positional size at this level and will always be active to try to earn his minutes when on the floor. He can shoot off the dribble or the catch, which helps add an extra dimension to this Fox Creek offense that loves to get to the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2629574"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-6951da1f3ce0c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rounding out my list of Standout Senior Guards from the 2025 Lexington Roundball Classic is [player_tooltip player_id='2629574' first='Khalil' last='Sherman']. Sherman and the Lions faced off with White Knoll on day two, and as that one got tighter, he got better. Khalil is as scrappy as they come with quick reactions and feet, comfort through contact on both ends, and a good feel for cutting. He had two made threes in the win, one to put Loris up by one at the end of the third quarter, and another that gave them a lead with just over 2:00 to play in the fourth. Sherman is going to have a large impact if the Lions are to go on a postseason run like last season, and games like this show just how important he is to their success. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->