Notes: What a great weekend of hoops. The Lighthouse Classic is always a fun weekend but it is long for some of us. It is very tiring for all of the volunteers and workers but it is for a good cause in more ways than one. Yes, financially it does greatly benefit the Lighthouse Foundation and that’s what the purpose is. But it also benefits the fans, people and players around north Mississippi just as much. It’s easy for me and some of the regulars to take for granted what this tournament and others like it actually mean. I was exhausted and out of gas (physically and mentally) about mid way of the games on Saturday and I was wondering if I would be able to find the energy to complete the day. As most of you know I like to make my way around the gym running my mouth, talking to players, fans and coaches. I happened to talk to a local player and he informed me that attending the Lighthouse Classic on Friday and Saturday was his Christmas present from a family member. That really put things into perspective for me and reminded me of how I used to feel when I was a player or fan back in the day attending lesser events. Back 12 years ago we had to travel to Memphis, Kentucky or wait until January for the Hotbed to see an event of this magnitude. And I did it routinely. I’ve been to tournaments and events all over the US and the Lighthouse ranks up there with every one of them. We have this in our back yard and we should be grateful to take advantage of it. Vince Overholt works year round putting this event together and making sure he provides the best event possible. He already started working on next year’s event on Saturday or maybe even before then. Norcross, which is one of the best teams in Georgia every year, has been trying to get in the event for seven years now. If you are a local team playing in it soak it up. This is big time.
Does he get every team right that should or shouldn’t be in there? No and with the transfer portal it is not possible to make that happen in this day and time. But he does continually put quality products on the court for our viewing pleasure. Every game will not please every fan. I’m sure the Ramsay/Southwind game was a sleeper for most fans but I loved it. This game had that defensive fight I love to see. The Huntsville-JA game should’ve easily been a blow-out on paper but that’s why we play the games. JA had the fight and toughness to hang in there with a nationally ranked team. That’s pretty good for our private school guys. The NBA/College talent that has graced the court is out of this world. I was asked by Merry Overholt who my favorite player of all time was covering at the Lighthouse and it took a minute to figure it out. It wasn’t a NBA’er. It wasn’t even a Mississippi player. It was Tommy Murr of Alabama when he broke the Alabama all-time scoring record. Thank you Vince for everything you tirelessly do to make this event happen.
Head Coach-The best coaching job that I saw during this time period.
Jesse Taylor Jackson Academy
Best Game-The best game that I saw during this time period.
Huntsville (AL) 54 Jackson Academy 48
Top 5 Teams-The top five teams that I saw during this time period.
- Moravian Prep Lions 6-0 (NC)
- Hoover Buccaneers 7-0 (7A AL)
- DME Academy 8-2 (Sunshine Independent FL)
- Huntsville Panthers 9-0 (7A AL)
- Norcross Blue Devils 3-1 (AAAAAA GA)
Head of the Class
The best players in their respective classes that I saw during this time period based on stats.
2025: Eli Ellis 6-1 PG Moravian Prep (NC)
33 pts 1 three 12-16 ft 6 reb 6 ast 4 st
36 pts 16-28 fg 1 three 4 reb 6 ast 2 st
2026: Wilson McDonald 6-2 G Alcorn Central
24 pts 9-15 FG 2 3’s 6 reb 2 ast 1 blk 6 st
2027: Chris Willis 6-2 G Hamilton
29 pts 5 3’s 7 reb 2 ast 2 blk 2 st
2028: Erick Dampier Jr. 6-10 C MRA
17 pts 6-9 fg 5-7 ft 16 reb 3 ast 2 blk
2029: Aiden McCalmon 5-7 G Kossuth
12 pts 2 3’s 2 reb 6 ast 2 st
2030: Colby Hill G Biggersville
4 pts 2-2 FG 5 reb
Starting 5
The top five players that I saw during this time period based on stats.
- Eli Ellis 6-1 ’25 PG Moravian Prep (NC)
33 pts 1 three 12-16 ft 6 reb 6 ast 4 st
36 pts 16-28 fg 1 three 4 reb 6 ast 2 st - Chris Willis 6-2 ’27 G Hamilton
29 pts 5 3’s 7 reb 2 ast 2 blk 2 st - Mikel Brown Jr. 6-4 ’25 PG DME Academy (FL)
29 pts 9-17 FG 4 3’s 7-8 ft 4 reb 5 ast 3 st - Wilson McDonald 6-2 ’26 G Alcorn Central
24 pts 9-15 FG 2 3’s 6 reb 2 ast 1 blk 6 st - Erick Dampier Jr. 6-10 ’28 C MRA
17 pts 6-9 fg 5-7 ft 16 reb 3 ast 2 blk
Katie Roberts Photography Senior Squad
The top five seniors that I saw during this time period based on stats.
- Eli Ellis 6-1 ’25 PG Moravian Prep (NC)
33 pts 1 three 12-16 ft 6 reb 6 ast 4 st
36 pts 16-28 fg 1 three 4 reb 6 ast 2 st - Mikel Brown Jr. 6-4 ’25 PG DME Academy (FL)
29 pts 9-17 FG 4 3’s 7-8 ft 4 reb 5 ast 3 st - Salim London 6-5 ’25 SG Hoover (AL)
19 pts 2 3’s 9 reb 5 ast 2 st - Jamarion Flemming 6-9 ’25 F Canton
17 pts 1 three 13 reb 1 ast 1 blk 1 st - Kaleb Williams 6-2 ’25 G TCA (TN)
22 pts 10-15 FG 2 3’s 3 reb 5 ast 1 blk 2 st
Magnolia Hoops 