Southern Sports Platform Tip-Off Classic Preview
Southern Sports Platform Tip-Off Classic
We are excited to bring a talented group of teams to the Golden Triangle Area for an exciting day of hoops. We have current champions, former champions, and teams that will contend for titles in their respective divisions. This event features top prospects from around the Magnolia State. Many of these players will be future college stars. Below we dive into the schedule and matchups for the inaugural Southern Sports Platform Tip-Off Classic hosted by New Hope High School.
1: 30- Starkville Academy vs Pine Grove
This game is perfect to kick off the day. It will feature 4 senior guards that are underrated, but have the quality to help any college program. Starting with Starkville Academy we have 6’ Jarius Jordan and 6’ Reese Jackson. This duo makes up a tough backcourt with high IQ and they know how to win. They made a deep run last season in the MAIS playoffs. Pine Grove bring back 6’ Carson Rowland who’s their go to guy. They also have transfer 6’3 Jamas Cox who had to sit out last season due to transfer rules. This game will set the tone for the day and will be very entertaining.
3:00- Holmes County vs Olive Branch
5A defending champs Holmes County will take on 6A powerhouse Olive Branch in a match up that we feel will be a fast pace and high intensity. This game has some of the best guards in the state competing. For Holmes County we have seniors Amarion Hogan and Malik Crigler who will carry most of the load for this group. Holmes is a tough match up for anyone and they play extremely hard. On the other side Olive Branch bring in a ton of guys who can hurt you. Seniors Landon Jefferies and Terry Joyner who knows what it takes to win high level games. Olive Branch also has a talented underclassman in 2024 Jay Tyler who can fill it up. Tyler is coming off a 37-point performance last weekend. Will he set the Tip-Off classic scoring record? Find out Saturday!
4:30 Starkville vs Grace Baptist Academy
Another game that is sure to be a can’t miss! Starkville pulled off a close one against Pontotoc last weekend and look to build on that. 6A powerhouse Starkville will always produce players that tend to have break out seasons and help them compete for titles. Grace Baptist brings in a lot of size and skilled players. Grace is a team that doesn’t get the recognition they deserve primarily due to them not playing in the MHSAA or MAIS. This match-up has the potential to be the best of the day with both teams having something the other lacks. It will be fun to watch 6’6 Makhi Myles (Offers: MSU, Ole Miss) and Cal State Fullerton Commit 6’8 Deakin Pereira face off. On top of these 2 both teams have plenty of other guys that can hurt you at any moment during the game.
6:00 Columbus vs Clinton Christian Academy
Up next we have Columbus and CCA. This game should be high scoring as both teams look to push the pace and shoot a lot of 3 pointers. Columbus have a senior trio (Tre Dismuke, JJ Williams, Willie Young) that will be looking too cause problems all season. Clinton Christian bring in a dynamic duo in Soph Tre Alexander and Jr KJ Sykes that can put up points in a hurry. Columbus comes in ranked #9, while Clinton Christian are the MAIS 3A Champions. This game is a for sure can’t miss.
7:30 New Hope vs Madison-Ridgeland Academy
This match up that will have plenty of highlights and then some. This game will feature 2 of the best Guards in the 2023 class. MRA’s Josh Hubbard who’s arguably the best player in the state and New Hope’s LJ Hackman. Both guys finished top 10 scoring in the Nike EYBL 16u division this summer. Hubbard #3 averaging 19.1ppg and Hackman averaging 17.5ppg. Hackman also finished #1 in steals averaging 4spg. Two more guys that could steal the show are New Hope 2022 6’4 Caleb Parr and MRA 2023 6’5 Harrison Alexander. Parr is one of the best seniors in the state and will look to take this opportunity to put everyone on notice. Alexander is one that turned heads over the last 12 months with his high-flying dunks and shot making ability. This game is sure fire on paper and should deliver everything fans want to see to start the season.