#OTRHoopsReport: Tip-Off Classic Preview – November 5, 2017

Some of Atlanta’s top teams and prospects will showcase their talents at Norcross High School for the On the Radar Hoops Tip Off Classic on November 18, 2017.

Some of the top teams in the Atlanta-Metro area will open their seasons at Norcross High School at the OTR Tip-Off Classic November 18, 2017. Here is a quick preview of the teams and some of the names to know for the event.

By: @JLHemingwayPSB

On the Radar Hoops Tip-Off Classic

November 18th | Norcross (GA) pic.twitter.com/0SEowhJKrQ

— Shun Williams (@OntheRadarHoops) October 30, 2017

8:00 pm Norcross vs. Gainesville

The feature game of the night will be packed with future college ball-players. The Red Elephants boast one of the premier athletes in the state of Georgia with KJ Buffen who is a Middle Tennessee State commit. Coach Benji Wood will also look for Jarred and Jarrel Rosser for senior leadership. Bailey Minor, 6-6 wing-forward, could be one of the most underrated prospects in the North Georgia area. He committed to North Georgia earlier this fall. While Xavier ‘Jabo’ Bledson, a recent Lincoln Memorial commit, will provide strength and production on the interior. Also look for junior point guard Brent Kelly to make a name for himself this season while running the point.

We outlined the talent of coach McMillan’s team in our predictions article last week (Read here). Guards Brandon Boston (class of 2020) and Kyle Sturdivant (class of 2019) should provide much of the offensive firepower for the Blue Devils.

6:30 pm Shiloh vs. Sandy Creek

Class of 2019 wing Elias King headlines the Generals from Shiloh. The 6-7 prospect picked offers from high majors from across the southeast including Georgia, Florida State, Auburn and Clemson. He is joined on the wing by class of 2020 Toneari Lane. The lefty is looking to cement his status as one of the up and coming stars in Gwinnett County this season. Also keep an eye out for senior forward Shamari McLeod who saw his stock rise after the OTR MLK Showcase during January.

Sandy Creek has one of the most intriguing prospects in all of the Atlanta-Metro area in TJ Bickerstaff. The 6-7 wing-forward showcased his talents at the OTR Fall Showcase. He has length and versatility, which is rare to find at this level. He can handle like a point forward and finish in the paint as a dependable front-line scorer.

#OTRSuper64

2019 TJ Bickerstaff (@New_J23) shows both sides of his finishing ability, finesse and strong. pic.twitter.com/yC4rEG6pwk

— Shun Williams (@OntheRadarHoops) September 10, 2017

5:00 pm Meadowcreek vs. Pebblebrook

Meadowcreek boasts of a very talented roster. Seniors Amari Kelly (Duquesne commit) and Cory Hightower (Detroit commit) hope to lead the Mustangs into the post season this year. They are joined by junior guard Jamir Chaplin who has already picked up a number of mid major offers already.

#OTRSuper64 Images: Amari Kelly @AmariKelly12 of Meadowcreek (GA)

Photo Cred: @HeatCheckbball pic.twitter.com/SsgAlAD1Zi

— Shun Williams (@OntheRadarHoops) September 25, 2017

The Colin Sexton show has ended for Pebblebrook. That is alright, because coach George Washington still has plenty of talent to compete. Senior guard Dwight Murray and forward Mervin James are poised to showcase themselves as focal point prospects. The 6-6 James visited Canisius  and SIU Edwardsville this fall.

3:30 South Atlanta vs. Lambert

Coach Scott Bracco always gets his teams prepared and ready to compete at high levels. This year he will be looking at sophomore post Colin Granger to contribute big minutes. The 6-7 post has size, skill and versatility to make him an ideal hi-lo player.

#OTRSuper64

Colin Granger (@Granger32Colin) not only uses his size to work the post but has good outside range as well. @lamberthoops pic.twitter.com/Snnz7EbSne

— Shun Williams (@OntheRadarHoops) September 10, 2017

South Atlanta was last year’s Class AA State Champions. Coming off of a 29-1 record, coach Michael Reddick is looking to duplicate that success this year. Losing six seniors off of last year’s roster will require the Hornets to establish a new identity.

2:00 pm Central Gwinnett vs. Southwest DeKalb

Southwest DeKalb has many young players looking to build a reputation for themselves this season. Class of 2020 prospects Eugene Brown and Kadarius Johnson hope to build momentum in the opening game of the season.

On the Radar Hoops Tip-off Classic

Nov 18th | Norcross (GA)

Many of the top teams & players from around the state will be showcased pic.twitter.com/KTXbk7HqCS

— Shun Williams (@OntheRadarHoops) November 4, 2017

Central Gwinnett has a new coach in Emmett Rouse. The Black Knights lost their leading scorer, Jalen Hillery, from last year. They are looking to establish a new identity early in the 2017-2018 season.

Jonathan Hemingway is a National Evaluator for the OTRHoopsReport. Hemingway serves on the Board of Selectors for the Naismith Trophy. He is also the publisher of CoachHemi.com. He has been involved in the community since 1996 as a coach, camp director and evaluator. You can reach him via email at JonathanHemingway@PeachStateBasketball.com and follow him on  twitter @JLHemingwayPSB