Saturday – November 9
12:00 pm – Westminster Catawba vs. Asheville School
1:30 pm – Concord Academy vs. Victory Christian
3:00 pm – Ambassador Christian vs. Grace Christian
Event Page/ Tickets: https://www.phenomhoopreport.com/phenom-hoops-events/carmel-christian-tip-off-classic-presented-by-phenom-hoops-details-page/
Underrated Talent to Start the Day
The Westminster Catawba vs. Asheville School is a very intriguing matchup and should have the attention of college coaches of all levels. This matchup presents an opportunity to find some underrated talent around the region. For the Asheville School, 2026 6’9 Heimir Helgason is one who has continued to get better, add more weight, and develop his game here in the US, as he could be a sneaky prospect for college coaches at the D1 level. You also have a high IQ, physical guard in 2025 Miki Gacic who should be a target for programs as well. For Westminster Catawba, players like 2025 6’9 Kaleb Santos, 2025 Nikayle Hodge, 2026 MJ Littlejohn, and others all could be targets for college programs, as all these players have an opportunity to showcase their game on the big stage.
Just how good could Concord Academy be?
We had a great opportunity to watch them at the Jamboree this past weekend, and Concord Academy is a very intriguing team with the talent they bring in as well as the balance. They have size with players like 2025 Icare Bakadisula and 2025 Alek Kornacki that should present problems. They have tough guards in 2025 Jake Benham and 2025 Gray Madeira. And they have a rising talent in 2027 James Minlend, who could be in for a breakout-type season. There are a lot of pieces to go along with depth that could make Concord Academy a dangerous team this season, and we will get our first viewing of that at Carmel Christian.
Victory Christian looking to start the season off right
Victory Christian is coming off a remarkable season in which they took home a state championship last year. But we now enter a new season and this is a team that will look a bit different but also still has talent to go around to make noise. 2026 Justyn Whitfield will be considered one of the go-to leaders, while others like 2027 Carlos Marshall hope to take the next step in their development to be a leader on the court. They will figure out just how good they may be this season against Concord Academy.
2025 Michael Phillips showing why he is a Top 100 prospect
There may not be a player I’m more excited about watching than 2025 6’7 Michael Phillips for Grace Christian, as he looks to prove why he is one of the fastest-rising prospects in the country and why he is considered a Top 100 prospect. He has the size, the scoring ability, and the athleticism to impact the game in so many ways, but the target will be on his back. Will he step up, be the leader his team needs, and put on a show to lead his team at the Carmel Tip-Off?
Ambassador Christian Looking to Make Early Statement
A new program here in North Carolina has an opportunity to make an early statement at the Carmel Tip-Off. Ambassador Christian has plenty of talent to go around, including the likes of 2025 JD Bowden, 2026 Logan Johnson, and many others. So expect college coaches to be paying attention, but this is also a new program looking to introduce themselves early and often with Phenom Hoops and fans around on the national stage. Other players like 2025 Dylan Deluca, 2026 Tyler Brown, 2026 Judah King, and others look to make their imprint in a big-time matchup against Grace Christian.