Horatio Williams Tip Off Classic Preview
With the MHSAA moving to 22 regular season games. New Tip Off events continue to pop up all around the state. However, one the original ones will continue to take place at North Farmington high school December 1st and 2nd.
Following are some brief and initial observations from the deep and talented field. As always with early season events. If I am mistaken on transfers or any other pertinent information please let me know.
friday December 1st
Game 1- Harper Woods vs Detroit Catholic Central- Brand new Shamrocks head coach Tory Jackson kicks off his tenure with a quality matchup against Harper Woods. Catholic will trot out one of the best senior backcourts in the State with Uchenna Amene (6-2) and TJ Nadeau (6-5) The Pioneers will try to counter with 6-3 senior Julian Young.
Selfishly and completely unrealistic. I would like to see a bunch of players foul out. The officials to then look at the four man teams and let the head coaches battle it out. Tory Jackson and Tajuan Porter are two better small point guards to ever do it in this state.
Game 2- Romulus Summit Academy North vs Detroit Renaissance– As a former history teacher this one just jumps off the page for me. Renaissance is a storied program with two state championships in its trophy case. Both of them were helmed by head coach Mark White. White will now be on the opposite sideline leading Summit. The Dragons will feature a dynamic one two punch in senior Saginaw Valley St commitment Dontez Scott (6-0) at the point. Along with 6-5 junior Dominic Krzesowiak on the wing. You also can’t forget about fellow junior 5-9 Amir Perryman. The Dragons have an absolutely loaded backcourt.
The Phoenix will counter with youthful duo of junior Lance Stone and sophomore Jordan Sigmon. Stone is only 5-7 but has plenty of moxie and intangibles that compensate for the lack of size. Sigmon has the total package on a 6-1 frame. Sigmon is coming off a huge grassroots season on the prestigious EYBL circuit. This play has vaulted him into the top 5 of the deep 2026 class in the state of Michigan.
**I am aware of the current situation at Summit North— this is a blog and not a traditional journalistic endeavor, I’m going to go with the coaching storyline until I hear anything different**
Game 3- Warren Lincoln vs Detroit Old Redford Academy I won’t try and over complicate this matchup. One of the top teams in Division II taking on one the top teams in Division III. With nary a senior in sight as well.
The Abe’s (great mascot) are topped by the familial backcourt of Moses and Markus Blackwell. Both juniors, Moses is similar to Stone in both game and frame. Markus is a versatile scorer who is already earning Division I interest early in his career. Lincoln is deep beyond their backcourt up and down the roster.
The Ravens are absolutely loaded in underclassmen talent. They are led on the block by 6-8 sophomore Jaquan Stennis (pictured at top) Stennis is one of the more dynamic two sport athletes in the entire state. They also feature an excellent backcourt with fellow sophomore Derrick Kilgore Jr (6-0) and junior Kason Mayes (6-1) This should be a battle with plenty of next level talent.
saturday December 2nd
Game 1- Detroit Edison vs Oak Park The opening Saturday contest will feature a big time matchup on the wing. Edison will be led by recent Ferris St commitment Quron Williams. The 6-5 wing is coming off a standout summer with DTO Elite on the Under Armour circuit.
Oak Park will answer with a next level wing of their own. Geon Hutchins had an equally outstanding summer with The Family on the EYBL. In this scouts humble opinion the 6-4 junior is one of the more underrated players in the state. The lanky wing simply has the nose for the basket.
Game 2- River Rogue vs East Kentwood The Detroit hegemony gets broken up by the Falcons coming from the West side of the state. They will feature an excellent but small backcourt with standout sophomore prospects Jah Hatchett (5-11) and Darryl Thompkins Jr (5-9). Rim protection will come in the form of 6-9 senior Christian Humphrey-Rembert.
River Rogue will showcase a cadre of talented guards. However the player to watch should be a traditional swingman in 6-5 senior Keshawn Fisher. Fisher turned in one of the better performances I saw this summer at the Brawl for Ball in Grand Rapids DTO Elite. At that event he appeared to be growing into his vast potential. That could spell trouble for the rest of the state. He is that talented.
Game 3- Davison vs Ferndale The Cardinals might be shaking off some rust if their highly touted football program continues their deep run. Even though he plays on that squad. Davison star Greg Lawson should not be affected. The 6-3 junior is just that good. Also watch out for sophomore Jackson Bowden (6-3) who will not have to worry about any football wear and tear. It will also be interesting to see the status of some of their recent rumored transfers.
Ferndale is the defending Division II state champion. However they lose most of their rotation. They return Trenton Ruth (6-2) in the backcourt and Darion Johnson (6-8) down low. Watch out for a bevy of talented freshmen led by 6-8 Eden Vinyard. The Eagles are looking to show that they don’t just rebuild— they reload.
Game 4- Detroit University Prep vs Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice The Panthers will try and show there is still room for big man in the 2020’s. They will roll out their dark horse Mr Basketball candidate in 6-9 Xander Wedlow. There is not a player in the state who can match his size and ability on the block. They also have a talented backcourt in senior Tyler Lowry and sophomore Darnell Murphy Jr.
This will be many fans first opportunity to catch the rare high profile transfer IN to the state of Michigan. Elijah Williams, the son of Pistons head coach Monty Williams, is considered a top 5 player nationally in the 2026 class. Williams is not the only high profile transfer on this squad. However, don’t forget about the Warriors returnee. Oakland commit Warren Marshall IV can play with anyone. He showed it this summer on the EYBL.
Game 5- Detroit King vs North Farmington The gym should be buzzing pretty good by this point. As a good North Farmington squad will take to their home court. The Raiders feature one of the deepest backcourts in the state with not one— but two Division 1 commitments. Niagara bound Landon Williams (6-4) should man the point with Cleveland St signee Tyler Spratt (6-5) on the wing. With Williams’ size, the presence of 2025 spark plug Robert Smith (5-10) could allow him to play off the ball.
On the other side of the court. Chas Lewless will be looking to make an opening statement in his Mr Basketball case. After flirting with heading out of state. The San Diego pledge is ready finish off his stellar Motor City bred career. There is not much the 6-3 player cannot do from the point guard spot. Outside of the offensive exploits. I saw him lock up current 6-8 Wayne St freshman Hutch Ward in the post last year at a Muskegon showcase. He is a very versatile player. This should be a good one.
Game 6- West Bloomfield vs East Lansing The event will wrap up with one of the best teams out of the capital area. East Lansing is loaded and quite young. They are anchored in the post by 6-7 senior Christian Dunn. Dunn has attracted more than one Division II offer with his play from this summer. However, in a college town. The Spartan legacy prospects will always draw the most attention. Junior Cameron Huston (Andre) and sophomore KJ Torbert (Kelvin) are both talented players in their own right. In terms of all four classes. East Lansing might be the deepest program in the entire state.
The Lakers will try and match this talent with the 1-2 backcourt punch of senior point guard Donnie Watts III and junior Corey Pittman. The deep backcourt will also feature senior Tory James. They should get front court help from senior Keith Gilmore who had to sit out last year after a transfer from Brother Rice. This will be a nice way to cap off an absolutely loaded event.
