17th Annual NorCal Tip Off Classic Preview

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Published Nov 26, 2024

17th Annual NorCal Tip Off Classic Preview

Douglas Benton • NorCalPreps

NCP Editor

@norcalpreps

The NorCal Tip Off is the unofficial start to the boys basketball season with 11 of the preseason Top 20 teams in the region set to play on November 30 at Dublin High School.

17th Annual NorCal Tip Off Classic Schedule

Here are seven things to watch this coming weekend.

De La Salle’s Alec Blair (Oklahoma) is the top rated senior in Northern California as a do-everything player at 6-foot-6. He can run an offense, scores well in the paint and the mid-range and routinely draws the best opposing perimeter player on defense. Also a potential high draft pick in the 2025 MLB draft, expect some baseball scouts in attendance on Saturday a la what happened with Sheldon’s Matt Manning nine years ago.

Modesto Christian has one of the top backcourts in NorCal with 2026 Stanford commit Myles Jones and 2025 Long Beach State signee Gavin Sykes. Both players were key cogs in the Crusaders making the NorCal Open Division semifinals and will keep Modesto Christian among the region’s elite in the final year for head coach Brice Fantazia.

More NorCal Division I commits to watch include Moreau Catholic’s Kellen Hampton (Pacific), Lincoln’s Anthony Moore (Weber State), San Ramon Valley’s Luke Isaak (UC Irvine) and Clayton Valley Charter’s Elijah Perryman (Utah State).

Two of the best unsigned seniors in NorCal this season will be in attendance with Ygnacio Valley’s Antonio Kellogg Jr. and Destiny Christian’s Jaylen Valdez. They are ranked No. 14 and No. 20 respectively in the 2025 preseason rankings.

Looking at the 2026 class rankings, there are five of the top 11 juniors slated to play. In addition to Jones, there is Dublin’s Cameron Anderson, St. Ignatius’ Raymond Whitley, Vanden’s James Carraway and Destiny Christian’s Myles Wiggins.

Cardinal Newman and Santa Cruz both hail from non-traditional basketball areas, but both are capable of working their way into the NCP Top 20 this season. For Cardinal Newman, look for sophomore AJ Cole. On the Santa Cruz end, 2026 small forward Demarco Hunter is on the rise in the junior class.

Crespi has a trio of 2027 to watch including Isaiah and Carter Barnes; the sons of former Del Campo standout and NBA veteran Matt Barnes. Crespi, which also has Nevada bound Peyton White, went 24-8 and made the Southern Section Open Division last season.