Tip-off Classic Notebook Day 1

Tip-off Classic Notebook Day 1

By Robert Alfonso Jr.

SUWANEE, GA – The first night of the Tip-off Classic got off to a solid start Friday night. 

Teams and players poured into Suwanee Sports Academy looking to show out. Some came with names and rankings, while others just made certain people were going to remember their name.

Here are some performances worth noting.

Georgia Stars shuffled the deck for July

The EYBL Georgia-based squad has made some changes for the the recruiting period.

One of the fastest additions, at lest for this event, was Exra Ausar. The 6-foot-7 forward was having his way with the competition. He dominated the interior His dominance inside led to him recording a double-double on opening night.

He gives the star and aggressive player inside. This is exactly what the Stars will need moving into next weeks EYBL pod setup.

Dillingham and Holloway put on a show

The duo of Robert Dillingham and Aiden Holloway came in with plenty of recognition and notoriety. They are both highly ranked prospects in some of the latest national polls. The North Carolina products, who normally play on the EYBL Circuit, suited up for Game Changers. They certainly changed the tempo of the game once they got loose.

Holloway scored four just about any spot on the floor. He displayed an attacking mentality while still looking to serve it up to his teammates. This floor general finished with a team-high 31 points.

Dillingham was not about to be left off of the highlights. The combo guard was electric. He was on the receiving end of several dime worthy assists from Holloway. There was a point in the game he caught three consecutive dunks. He finished the evening with 28 points.

Tatum is the new name to remember

Sometimes when players lace them up against ranked players some become enamored they are on the same floor as these said players. 

Jalen Tatum did not look at things that way. The Heritage High product came and showed he was going to make a name for himself. After two halves of basketball, he did more than make a name for himself. He proved he belonged.

Tatum filled up the basket for 37 points in a tough loss to Game Changers. He was so good in getting to the basket and knocking down shots. There was just a fluid and poised approach to his game. The most important piece to his was the desire to compete.

AOT’s 2024 trio sets the tone for July

Sam Medalie, Brett Wright and Clark Mastin showed why AOT 15 under team will be a team to watch the remainder of July.

Wright is a prolific shooter on the perimeter. The 6-foot-5 Silverdale Baptist wing showed off his range early. He knocked down four straight three-pointers in the teams win. His versatility makes him touch to guard.

Mastin is a smooth floor general who can fill it up. He starts the offense by pushing the tempo. Then then Salem High product gets guys in scoring position. Whenever that is not taking place he is either knocking down shots or finishing at the basket.

Medalie is a cerebral player. He is precise with the movement on the court. His thought process on certain plays are calculated and deliberate.

Team Huncho duo climbing and blooming

The backcourt of Trentyn Flowers and Jermahri Hill have the grill on hot early.

Hill is a two-sport athlete at Berkmar High. The things he does on the basketball court, however, continues to make him one of the more talked about prospects in Georgia. This 6-foot-5 guard has a burst of speed that can not be stopped. When he applies the brakes and shifts on a player, He is more than just an athlete, Hill has all the skills to play at the next level.

Flowers is climbing up the ladder of many opinionated 2024 rankings. The 6-foot-7 guard is a stat sheet filler but in a good way. His feel for the game it to get everyone involved. There are times he passes on a shot for an open teammate. His stock will continue to during the July Live Period.