2022 Lighthouse Classic: Saturday Notebook
The ninth annual Lighthouse Classic concluded on Saturday but not before the day was filled with high-level action from start to finish. Our day saw a couple of top-notch contests that pitted schools from different states on the main stage.
Here are Garrett Tucker’s storylines from Saturday’s action…
JORDAN WALSH STEALS THE SHOW FOR MORAVIAN PREP (GA)
After two impressive performances that ultimately helped Moravian Prep (GA) claim the Lighthouse Classic Prep Challenge championship, 2023 point guard Jordan Marsh was a unanimous top performer and stock-booster from the event.
The 5-foot-10 point guard came out on a mission against Fort Erie International Academy on Saturday, as he used his burst and quickness to keep the defense on its heels. He got wherever he wanted in the paint, whether it was in transition or the half-court. The senior showcased his consistent shooting and scoring ability and led the way with 28 points in the championship win, but he’s more than capable of being a facilitator, too.
Marsh was able to set the tone for Moravian Prep in both of their games. He’s still surfing under the radar for college programs, but I think he could be a valuable piece in conferences like the A-Sun, OVC, etc.
BARTLETT & MADISON-RIDGELAND ACADEMY SET THE STANDARD
You wouldn’t realize it from the final score, but Saturday’s nightcap game featuring Bartlett (TN) and Madison (MS) Ridgeland Academy was one of the best games of the entire event. In fact, the first half of action was one of the best halves of basketball I’ve seen in quite some time.
Both teams came out and brought the intensity from the opening tip, going back and forth and matching punch for punch. From start to finish, it was a game with a natural flow and instant entertainment.
First and foremost, Ole Miss fans are going to love 2023 guard Josh Hubbard. The Rebels signee was one of the most entertaining players I saw all weekend, and he indeed put on a show for the Mississippi crowd.
Despite only standing 6-feet tall, the strong point guard made plays at all three levels. He was fearless attacking the rim, where he finished with bumps and hard contact around the goal. And, of course, Hubbard made his presence known from behind the arc. He connected on three trey balls and finished with a game-high 38 points.
Heading into the fourth quarter, I was certain that Labaron Philon’s event scoring record of 47 points was in jeopardy. Hubbard was in that kind of zone. But all the credit goes to Bartlett (TN) and, in particular, 2024 wing Christian Alston.
Led by the 6-foot-6 Alston, Bartlett was able to shut Hubbard down in the fourth quarter an, in turn, run away with the game.
And that leads me to one of my biggest revelations from the weekend. Of all the teams and games I watched, Bartlett High School may have been the most impressive. They’re deep and have a stable of players at all positions.
As for Alston, he’s still new to organized basketball. The junior has only played basketball for a few years, but don’t let that fool you — he belongs with the big boys.
In an era dominated by ‘3&D’ players, Alston fits in perfectly. He did a nice job of using his length and size on the perimeter to cause difficulties for the MRA guards, and then he knocked down a trio of three-pointers on his way to 29 points. Alston was an efficient 13-23 from the field.
Regale Moore, Charvez Ambrose, Javar Daniel, Jackson Shackelford, and K.J. Neville are some other recruitable players for a variety of coaches at the next level.
GUARDS DOMINATE AS GRAYSON (GA) DEFEATS GRISSOM (AL)
If you’re a fan of guards, the Grissom-Grayson matchup was basketball heaven. Headlined by a matchup of Grissom’s R.J. Johnson and Izzy Miles against Grayson’s Gicarri Harris and Chad Moodie, it was Grayson junior C.J. Hyland that stole the show.
Hyland, a quick-twitch 6-foot-1 point guard, lit up the scoreboard with 22 points and shot an efficient 9-13 from the field. He made four of five three-point attempts and was the main reason why Grayson was able to pull away from Grissom in the fourth quarter.
My colleague Josh Tec has spoken very highly of Hyland in the past, and to no one’s surprise, he’s off to a rolling start and building quite a winter resume for Grayson. I like Hyland’s energy he brings to the floor. His teammates gravitated towards him and fed off of his intensity. Hyland is a needle-mover for the Rams.
Despite all the guards on both rosters, 2025 Grayson big man Amir Taylor showed some intriguing flashes, too. The soft-spoken 6-foot-8 big man mixed his game inside and out with 16 points and eight rebounds.
Blessed with soft hands and nimble feet, Taylor showed he can operate smoothly with his back to the basket. He didn’t let the fast-paced game get him in a rush or make bad decisions either. And he also converted both of his three-point attempts.
Not bad for a sophomore puppy early in the year. Keep an eye out for Taylor this season and beyond — he’s looking like one of the better big men in the South’s 2025 class.
SIMON WALKER MAKES HIS SPLASH
Huntsville (AL) made a statement on Saturday night with a big 76-51 victory over Tupelo, one of the top teams in Mississippi. The Panthers stifled Tupelo with their different defenses and quick ball movement.
Huntsville was able to jump out to a big lead in the first quarter behind a strong shooting performance from 2025 guard Simon Walker. The 6-foot-5 guard was in double-digits before the first quarter ended and he paced Huntsville with 26 points in the victory.
I’ve watched a couple of Huntsville games already this year and Walker’s play continues to be a consistent theme. The sophomore is producing on both ends of the floor, whether it’s making shots coming off of screens or deflecting passes on defense. It’s also worth noting that he’s proven he can play both guard spots effectively, too.
With that being said, Walker is one to watch during the next calendar year. I think he’s a prime blow-up candidate as the high school season progresses into the spring travel circuit. Walker already holds a handful of mid-major scholarship offers, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he starts tipping the scales into high-major territory.
