Tip Off Classic at Southport High School

The second Saturday of December has been the traditional weekend for this event, and it usually brings in teams with highly recruited juniors and seniors, even a team from out of state with a Butler, Indiana, Notre Dame or Purdue prospect on roster.  If you're reading this, you likely already know this.  

This year is no different, as an excellent slate of games is on for today.

2:00pm - North Central (2-1) vs. Franklin Central (3-1)

North Central is led by the super talented Leland Walker, and while Franklin Central lost three talented players to transfers (Javon Small - Arizona prep school, Jalen Hooks - Crispus Attucks, JaShawn Bates - Tindley), the progression of the keeps on churning along.

  • North Central
    • Leland Walker, 6'0" junior guard
    • Jalen Clark, 6'1" senior guard
    • Mike Elliott, 6'2" senior forward
    • Theran Johnson, 6'0" senior guard
    • Antonio Lisenbee, 6'7" junior forward
  • Fraklin Central
    • Benny Ogayonne, 6'2" senior guard
    • Sam Mattert, 6'3" senior forward
    • Rynell Echols, 6'0" junior guard
    • Shawn Gooch, 6'4" senior forward
    • Bryan Marshall, 6'1" junior guard

3:30pm - Gary West (3-1) vs. Southport (0-2)

Southport's foursome of sophomores have had growing pains early this year, facing more experienced opponents.  That won't changed today.  Interested in seeing how Dancler from Southport and Washington from Gary West play, as they are both returning from knee injuries. 

  • Gary West
    • Jalen Washington, 6'10" junior forward
    • Quimari Peterson, 6'0" senior guard
    • Perion Robinson, 6'4" senior forward
    • Chrishawn Christmas, 6'5" senior forward
    • Mason Nicholson, 6'9" senior center
  • Southport
    • AJ Dancler, 6'2" sophomore guard
    • Nickens Lemba, 6'6" sophomore forward
    • Anthony Ball, 6'5" sophomore forward
    • Keyon Miller, 6'0" sophomore guard

5:00pm - North Harrison (2-1) vs. Barr-Reeve (3-0)

Despite Trey Kaufman not playing for Silver Creek last night, North Harrison's win over them was still a big a win.  The Hatton / Hopf battle (AAU teammates this past year) will be great to watch.

  • North Harrison
    • Langdon Hatton, 6'10" senior center (Williams & Mary)
    • Logan McIntire, 6'1" junior guard
    • Sawyer Wetzel, 6'0" sophomore guard
    • Brody Fessell, 6'0" sophomore guard
    • Ethan Oakley, 6'8" junior forward
    • Kaleb Kellems, 6'3" sophomore guard
  • Barr-Reeve
    • Curt Hopf, 6'9" senior center
    • Hagen Knepp, 6'3" junior guard
    • Brycen Graber, 6'3" senior guard

6:30pm - Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian (3-0) vs. Silver Creek (3-1)

As mentioned above, Kaufman didn't play last night.  He is still recovering from injury and won't be in action today.  Last year, this matchup saw Furst outplay Kaufman, who did battle early foul trouble, only to see Jacobi do a great job on Furst, as Silver Creek rallied from behind and won.

Blackhawk has steamrolled everyone so far this season.

  • Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian
    • Caleb Furst, 6'9" senior center
    • Zane Burke, 6'2" senior guard
    • Marcus Davidson, 6'0" senior guard
  • Silver Creek
    • Trey Kaufman, 6'9" senior forward
    • Kooper Jacobi, 6'6" senior wing
    • Brandon Northern, 6'0" junior guard

8:20pm - Cincinnati Moeller (3-0) vs. Lawrence North (2-0)

By now we know what LN brings to the table, but Moeller, on paper, brings in as much talent if not a bit more.  The headliner is Logan Duncomb, the 6'10" senior is committed to Indiana, and he was the best player on the floor often in games over the summer.  However, he's flanked by a trio of players who would be headliners on other teams.

Evan Mahaffey, 6'7" junior forward, the possessor of offers from Cincinnati, Miami (OH), Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Western Carolina and Xavier, plays a lot like LN's Hughes.  Aiden Noyes, 6'7" senior wing, is committed to Richmond, and Alex Williams, 6'5" senior wing, is committed to Furman.  Both are excellent outside shooters.

  • Lawrence North
    • DJ Hughes, 6'7" senior forward
    • Shamar Avance, 6'2" senior guard
    • CJ Gunn, 6'5" junior guard

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR