Top performers at the Horatio Williams Tip-off Classic

The Horatio Williams Tip-Off Classic is always one of the premier high school basketball events during the holiday hoop season. Every year, it hosts the best teams and the best players. Some of the best players in the state played in the event at Cass Tech High School yesterday, putting on some performances to remember.

I've watched Greg Elliott start at EEVP since he was skinny 6-1 freshman, and I've never seen him play at the level he did last night against Flint Beecher. A good 6-4 now, with arms that hang to his knees, Elliott poured in a whopping 45 points. It was an efficient 45, though. Nothing was flashy about it. No one does a better job a getting open, and running without the ball in his hands. He also added seven rebounds, seven blocks, and three steals. He does everything well. He currently holds a number of mid-major offers, but has high-major potential.

Don't let the height fool you, Jackson can go! He put up 37 points against some good talent in Detroit Pershing. A crafty guard, Jackson made a living at the free throw line, scoring 17 of his points from there. Jackson is also one of the better shooters in the state, hence the six 3-pointers he knocked down. He is also a good passer, but offensively, he was too much for Pershing, so why not put up the points? Jackson reported offers from schools from the Horizon League, MAC, SEC, and Big Ten.

There was a lot of hype around Dejulius pairing with Greg Elliott at EEVP, and they showed us why. The two combined for 76 points, with 31 of those coming from Dejulius. Always known as a driver, Dejulius did that well. He's 6-1 now, and built like a tank. You won't stop him from getting anywhere on the court that he wants. His jump-shot as also improved. For a stretch against Flint Beecher, when Elliott wasn't scoring, Dejulius took over, hitting several long-range shots, keeping the defense honest. The 'Splash Bros.' have made their way to Detroit. DePaul is Dejulius' lone offer.

Pershing coaches have raved about Seals' ability since they got him. He showed flashed of it last year, with a 30-point game, and should be the year where he plays more consistent. He got off to a great start, dropping 29 points on Macomb Dakota is loss. Still, Seals was impressive. Dakota head coach Paul Tocco talked about how they got overmatched in one-on-0ne matchups, and it was because of the 6-4 Seals. Dakota's big men could no guard him on the perimeter, so he hit three 3-pointers. He also attacked them in the paint, driving the ball, and attacking the glass. Seals has the look of a Division I player with more dedication to his game.

Pound for pound, Ellison is one of the best guards in the state. He's just as good at football, too. He's only 5-8, but he's a problem with the ball in his hands. He scored 27 points in a valiant effort against Detroit East English Village Prep. And that was on a slow start. The two teams went at it down the stretch, and Ellison made shot after shot to keep his team in the game. Ellison shows up in big games, and has two Class C state titles to his name. He's a big-game competitor.

The 6-8 Michigan commit dominated against Detroit Western, scoring 23 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and blocking four shots. He also added a new highlight dunks. Livers was matched up with Western's 6-7 Tray Jackson, who had the height to defend him, but the skill level difference was apparent. Livers dominated whenever he got the ball in the paint, and showed what he was able to do with the ball in his hands, hitting a couple of long-range jump shots.