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OTR HOOPS: Exceeding Expectations from the Tip-Off Classic – November 18, 2024

OTR HOOPS: Exceeding Expectations from the Tip-Off Classic - November 18, 2024
November 19, 2024

NORCROSS, Georgia, – The annual Tip-Off Classic lived up to the hype with five quality games. As expected, there were plenty of individual prospects to track. Here are the names we took note of coming out of this event as players who exceeded expectations. Check out the top scorers and results from the event here.

By: Jonathan Hemingway

Zyree Brown – Pebblebrook High School – 2026

Brown emerged as one of the top guards at the event. Despite his team falling short in the final moments to Norcross, Brown electrified with his ball handling and penetrating skills. He can create space and distribute to teammates when the help pinches on his middle penetration. The Falcons appear to have yet another star lead guard on their roster this year.

Miles Clanton – Norcross High School – 2025

Clanton suits up for the Blue Devils this season after moving down Peachtree Industrial Boulevard from North Gwinnett. He looks to bring the same blue-collar mentality that we have become accustomed to while watching him on the OTR Circuit. The 6-foot-5 forward is the perfect complement to Norcross’ playmaking guards. He will crash the glass, make the winning plays in the lane, and can defend from block to arc.

Chris McLavish – Grayson High School – 2025

The Rams have a star-studded roster, but a player that casual observers may overlook is the shortest young man on the floor. McLavish makes sure that his game is not ignored, however.  He shoots the 3-pointer at a high clip and he assumes ball handling responsibilities alongside of his teammate Caleb Holt. We took note of McLavish’s vocal leadership and willingness to encourage all his teammates with words and pats on the back.

Caleb Holt – Grayson High School – 2026

This recap was framed as players who exceeded expectations. For Holt, the expectations are high already and he has proved himself on every stage thus far. But he managed to dominate the Saturday evening game in ways that were unexpected. Holt is a fantastic athlete with a complete skill set. It is his passing ability that cues us in on just how special of a player he is. He anticipates the play and delivers darts to cutting teammates at the exact right time. Plus, Holt is not the type of player who is going to float around the arc and try to keep his jersey from getting wrinkled. He mixes it up on the interior as a rebounder and finishes plays in traffic consistently.

Marcus Smith II – Newton – 2025

This is my prediction: Smith is going to be a solid college basketball player in the years to come. I am not sure where that will be, but when graduates this spring it will not be the last, we hear of this young man. He is a superb athlete who can accelerate and elevate as well as any guard that you will watch this year. He topped off a very good game on Saturday with a game winner at the buzzer (watch the highlight here). He finished the night with 22 points.

Bryce Jackson – Newton – 2026

A player that benefited a lot from the play of the aforementioned Smith was junior, Bryce Jackson. He is a wing with size (6-4) and shooting ability. He scored 19 points in the close win over Peachtree Ridge, which included four 3-pointers. His game is more than just being a spot shooting specialist. He flashed moments where he attacked the rim and finished along the baseline. Things are trending upward for Jackson this season.

Brayden Holiday – Central Gwinnett – 2026

Holiday helped lead coach Marcus Spivey’s squad to a hard-fought win on Saturday over St. Pius. With size and athletic build, Holiday can impact the game as a scorer in the midrange and as a defender in the open court. The Black Knights are looking for a player to fill a leadership role and provide consistency this year and Holiday looks to be capable of doing this.

D’Marley Elliott – St. Pius X – 2026   

Elliott impressed everyone watching the early game on Saturday afternoon. He is a 6-6 forward who knows his role and embraces his position on the floor. While he can step out and shoot the three from time to time (he hit two in the first quarter), he gets most of work done 15 feet and in on the offensive end. He uses his body and footwork to create space to finish in the paint. He finished with 20 points as SPX fell short in their match-up with Central Gwinnett.

Yousef Othman – Berkmar – 2025

Berkmar looks to have new energy with coach William Witherspoon taking the helm for the Patriots. His energetic style is translating onto the floor and the players are responding. Senior wing Yousef Othman is a player who stood out the most on Saturday afternoon. He is a notable long-range specialist and player who can make plays defensively. Good things will be brewing for the Patriots on Pleasant Hill Road this year.

Jonathan Hemingway has been a National Evaluator for On the Radar Hoops since 2013. He has been involved in the basketball community since 1995 as a coach, camp director and evaluator. You can reach him at JLHemingway@gmail.com and follow him on twitter @JL_Hemingway.

 

 


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