Tip-Off Classic Notebook: Day One Notes
In this article:
This past Friday night saw the latest iteration of the Tip-Off Classic get underway at Suwanee Sports Academy, and boisterous crowds put social distancing to the test in trying to take in all the night one action. Some notes from…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThis past Friday night saw the latest iteration of the Tip-Off Classic get underway at Suwanee Sports Academy, and boisterous crowds put social distancing to the test in trying to take in all the night one action.
Some notes from the evening:
Got a double look at Double Trouble’s 15U’s as well as the 16U’s a bit later, but first up were the 2023’s for coach Mark Livingston, who had tipped me off beforehand that this was perhaps DT’s best bunch … those were tall words, as the 2022’s for Directors Michael and Charles Pack feature some exceptional risers, but Livingston’s guys didn’t disappoint in holding off a tough group from Atlanta Select …
~~ Centennial PG Mansir Williamson Mansir Williamson 6'2" | PG Centennial | 2023 GA was a highlight reel playing both the lead guard and off the ball, at points he simply took over the game at both ends, showing a terrific handle and elite passing eye, he’s already solid at 6-2 with room to mature for sure and could be a notable contributor for Coach Matt Barksdale and what should be an exciting Knights squad …
~~ Playing alongside Williamson as an interchangeable PG-SG combo was Norcross’ Orion Champion, another terrific ballhandler whose eyes were always up leading the break or filling the lane, but also showed a lot of creativity in finding his shot be it from beyond the arc or pulling up from the mid-range, quick and smart, a sure riser for the Blue Devils …
~~ It was hard to miss the explosive Chad Moodie of Grayson, he had several impressive moments skying his way to finishes near the basket, he also showed serious rim protection instincts at 6-6 as well a nose for the defensive glass, as his body develops he can turn into yet another elite and versatile Grayson forward …
I was getting another look at Double Trouble’s 16U club in tournament competition after seeing them the week before in the Showcase of Champions also at SSA, and as they showed the prior week, they have tremendously versatile talent and took it at a very good Georgia Legacy team …
~~ Robert Dix Robert Dix 6'6" | SF TSF Prep | 2022 State GA of South Cobb continued his terrific all- around play, showing his inside-outside prowess, and at 6-6 has one of the highest ceilings of any player I saw all weekend …
~~ Perhaps the best player on the floor for the Legacy game was Peachtree Ridge’s Navaughn Maise Navaughn Maise 6'6" | PF Discovery | 2021 State GA , the lone 2021 player on the roster, the 6-5 forward was a nearly unstoppable force in close to the basket, battling on the O-glass, skying for dunks or swatting shots against the active Legacy frontcourt, his athletic and leaping ability makes him an attractive target for programs looking to add athleticism to their frontcourt …
~~ It’s never dull watching the backcourt combo of PG Jameel Rideout Jameel Rideout 6'2" | PG Berkmar | 2022 State GA and combo guard Malachi Winter, Rideout has quickly shown this grassroots season he is developing into one of the ATL-areas top rising point guards with his vision and ability to score from the 1-spot, while Winters, a defensive gem and burgeoning offensive player, is coming off a solid season for Peachtree Ridge and will take his multi-talents at both ends to Mt Pisgah Christian, he again had a few wow moments turning defense into offense and showing off both an explosive dribble-drive game as well as comfortable range out to the arc …
~~ North Gwinnett’s Thomas Allard Thomas Allard 6'6" | SG North Gwinnett | 2022 State GA got off to a slow start, but his sweet 3-point shooting stroke can change a game, he heated up in the 2nd half and keeps showing how valuable he’ll be stepping into a larger role for Coach Matt Garner next winter …
Georgia Legacy played their best ball later in the tournament, but several players had moments against Double Trouble …
~~ Sequoyah’s Dylan Wolle Dylan Wolle 6'3" | SG Sequoyah | 2022 State GA has been making huge strides already this offseason for Legacy, showing much more willingness to attack with the dribble, and that continued development there will make him a tough guard for the Chiefs next winter … Another player if he keeps playing well this summer who’ll force minutes on his coach is Cherokee’s Caleb Richardson Caleb Richardson 6'7" | PF Cherokee | 2022 State GA , who jumps off the roster sheet because of his size and movement, and has been backing that up with his aggressive play on the break and ability to get to the hole off the bounce …
~~ Lastly, Fisher Mitchell, also of Sequoyah, is someone to watch this summer, he plays almost exclusively in a pseudo 5-role, or whatever the center position has become in today’s game, but he does all the little things at 6-5 to impact a possession – setting screens, rebounding and defending, but against a really athletic frontline for DT he showed off his multitude of ways to score, knocking down mid-range J’s, hitting the O-glass, and even showing a little baby hook game that drew some oohs and aahs from the crowd.