OTR Hoops: Tip-Off Classic PREVIEW – November 6, 2024

OTR Tip-Off Classic
November 16, 2024
Norcross, Georgia (Norcross High School)

On the Radar Hoops will host the annual Tip-Off Classic at Norcross High School next weekend. This event is a staple for teams to get an early season test. It also provides scouts, college coaches, and fans a first look at how some of the top teams in the state are poised for the upcoming year. This includes seeing the new names that are emerging in the state of Georgia. Below is a preview of the match-ups and the names to track during the day.

By: Jonathan Hemingway

8pm Norcross vs. Pebblebrook

Norcross Blue Devils
2023-24 Record 17-14
Coach: Jesse McMilan

The Blue Devils experienced a down year by their standards. Even still, they earned a state tournament birth and an above .500 record, which speaks to the level of excellence that is expected on Spalding Drive. This season McMilan & Co. are looking to bounce back with added veteran leadership and a talented core of young players. Enter a quartet of seniors in Connor Teasley, Whitfield Hyde, Thomas McBride and Miles Clanton add experience and scoring ability. Teasley is poised to be one of the top scoring guards in the Metro area. Where Hyde and Clanton bring size and versatility to the front line. McBride will bring size and shooting range to this roster. Junior wing Jaron Saulsberry returns for the Blue Devils as one of the premier prospects in the state. The 6-foot-6 prospect is electric when attacking the rim as a finisher. Keep an eye on sophomores Josh Smith Jr. and Nasir Anderson. Both prospects were top performers in their age group on the circuit this past summer.

Pebblebrook Falcons
2023-24 Record: 13-17
Coach: George Washington

Pebblebrook is another top program in the Atlanta area looking to bounce back after a tough season. Coach Washington led the Falcons to a decade long run of winning seasons with all but a few being 20-win seasons. That streak ended last year, but Pebblebrook looks to be primed for another postseason run. Senior guard Jayvion Nurse completed a terrific spring and summer on the travel circuit. He is a great athlete with an all-around skill set. Anthony Moon is a sophomore that onlookers will take note of at this event. He is an athletic front-line prospect sure to bring balance to coach Washington’s game plan. Be aware of emerging prospects junior guard Jaylen Humphrey and sophomore Zyree Brown. Both players have flashed their talent in recent months.

6:30pm Grayson vs. Tri-Cities

Grayson Rams
2023-24 Record: 30-2 (Class AAAAAA State Champions)
Coach: Geofrey Pierce

The Rams fully situated themselves as the top program in the state of Georgia last year. Capping a remarkable 30-win season with a championship in Macon. After graduating two elite guards in CJ Hyland and Gicarri Harris, it would be reasonable to believe that the Rams might see a regression this season.

Not a chance.

Enter 6-6 guard Caleb Holt, who is currently a consensus top three player in the nation in the 2026 class. Holt joins returning stars Jacob Wilkins (Georgia commit) and Amir Taylor who remains one of the top uncommitted prospects in the Southeast region. Coach Pierce adds senior guards KJ Garris and Chris McLavish to a roster that is poised to repeat. Junior forward Jayvon Rampersant also joins the Rams as a guy ready to contribute and provide depth. Sophomore wing-forward Janon Singh burst upon the radar this fall with a couple of impressive showings at camps.

Tri-Cities Bulldogs
2023-24 Record: 21-10
Coach: Omari Forts

Tri-Cities established themselves as one of the premier programs in the state by making the Final 4 appearances in four straight seasons (2019-2022). They earned state titles in two of those seasons. Coach Forts will look to recapture the magic this year with senior Sean Van Dorn. The 6-6 wing does a bit of everything and does it well. He serves as a playmaker, finisher, and defender. He committed to Georgia Southern earlier this fall. Van Dorn is flanked by a pair of juniors looking to make an impression this season. Jalan Wingfield is a talented wing who can score from all over the court. The offers are stacking up for the 6-6 prospect. Forward Jayden London is a 6-8 prospect who can run the court and clean up the glass. Sophomore guard Tre Keith does not look as if he will need time to adjust to the high school level. He is already there. The talented and heady 6-3 guard is already attracting recruiting attention from college coaches.

5pm Peachtree Ridge vs. Newton County

Peachtree Ridge Lions
2023-2024 Record: 22-8
Coach: Jordan Griffin

Things are trending upward for the Lions as of late. With a 20-win season last year and an Elite 8 birth, this season projects similar or even better results. Senior center Derwin Hodge is trending upward in the eyes of scouts and college coaches alike. The 6-8 prospect crashes the glass, finishes in traffic, and even shows range on his jumper at times. His front court teammate, junior Gideon Kamuelyu, is a proven glass eater himself. Where Hodge has a slimmer frame and uses athleticism to produce, Kamuelyu uses strength and brute force to impose his will. The Lions add guard Malik Rideout to the mix this season to give two-way production in the back court. He joins senior point guard Deaundre Clarke to form a dynamic lineup for coach Griffin.

Newton County Rams
2023-2024 Record: 20-7
Coach: Barry Browner

Newton County has been a perennial powerhouse in the state of Georgia for about a decade. Coach Barry Browner has kept the program moving in the right direction after taking the reins from coach Charlemagne Gibbons a few years ago. This season looks to be pointed towards more wins and another post season run. Senior wing Davin Neal (Appalachian State commit) is ready to take the lead for the Rams. He is a high energy competitor who can make plays consistently. He will be joined by talented point guard Marcus Smith II who transfers in from Walnut Grove. Smith is a heady lead guard who will benefit from playing with play finishers like Neal and junior wing Jordan Green. Green is a 6-8 prospect who is picking up recruiting interest this fall.

3:30 Central Gwinnett vs. St. Pius

Central Gwinnett Black Knights
2023-2024 Record: 10-15
Coach: Marcus Spivey

The Black Knights look to bounce back from a year that ended with a loss of momentum. Coach Spivey will lean on a quartet of 2026 prospects to right the ship this season. Wing-forward O’Davion Thompson is poised for a breakout year and to become one of the top prospects in Gwinnett County. Denovian Flowers earned a reputation as a sharp shooter this summer on the OTR circuit. Isiah Sloan is an athletic combo guard who can score or set up teammates as a playmaker. Josiah Hall is a guard with size and an all-around offensive skill set.

St. Pius Golden Lions
2023-2024 Record: 22-7
Coach: Will Cloyd

This year marks a new era for the boys’ basketball program at St. Pius. Coach Aaron Parr stepped aside after a four-year run which included four region championships and 100 wins. Coach Will Cloyd will take over a program that is still filled with talent. Harris Reynolds is one of the top class of 2026 guards in the nation. Unfortunately, the 4-star prospect will be sidelined for this event with an injury. Look for Aiden Portee to take up the slack for the Golden Lions in his absence. He is an athletic guard who can play make or score buckets in a pinch. Junior big man D’Marley Elliott earned praise this summer as a space eater and bucket getter on the block. Senior guard Ashton Bjerke should not be left out of the conversation. He is a kid that will be important for the success of this team this season.

2:00pm Berkmar vs. Sequoyah

Berkmar Patriots
2023-2024 Record: 21-8
Coach: William Witherspoon

Much has changed for the Patriots in just one season. Coach Greg Phillips is out, coach William Witherspoon is in. And much of the returning roster from last season’s 20-win and Sweet 16 birth has transferred. However, there are players ready to fill the void. Senior guard Christian Braxton is a capable shot maker and a guy that coach Witherspoon can lean upon. Joining the backcourt for the Patriots is Rashad Holloway who brings grit and energy as a two-player. He also showed scoring ability last summer on the OTR circuit. Rounding out the backcourt is Yousef Othman who brings size at 6-3 and strength to mix it up in traffic.

Sequoyah Chiefs
2023-2024 Record: 18-11
Coach: Mike Saxton

Coach Saxton has pieces to work with in Region 6-AAAAA. Guard Cade Lomas became a favorite of evaluators last year on the OTR circuit. He brings flair along with productivity to the back court. And count on wing Brendan Tousignaut to be one of the top shooters at the event. He committed to Kennesaw State earlier this fall.

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.