Carmel Christian Tip-Off Class: Top Performers

Matthews, North Carolina – Saturday saw the Carmel Christian Tip-Off Classic take place just outside of Charlotte. The six-game set saw multiple On3 150 players compete along with some of the top teams in North Carolina. With coaches from South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Iowa, Furman, and others in attendance, this event is always good for a breakout performer or two as well.

Let’s discuss the top performers from the 2023 Carmel Christian Tip-Off.

On3 MVP: Four-Star PG Jaylen Cross

Jaylen Cross is one that has rapidly continued to improve over the past 12 months. Cross is a quick-twitch athlete, he has a first step that gets him into the teeth of the defense, consistently. 

The pace he plays with really stands out, he is playing patiently and making correct reads. This has made his first step even more dangerous. Cross has always competed. As a 6-foot-3/6-foot-4 lead guard, he is able to defend all three perimeter positions. He is aggressive, and he really slides his feet able to cut off the opposing defender’s strong hand. 

Cross bumped to the No. 49 in play in the last 2025 On3 150 update. This bump was based on his development as a point-of-attack lead guard. This ascension has continued as he is someone who not only makes winning plays but creates winning opportunities. Cross finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists in the win. 

2. SF Josiah Sanders (2026)

The unique nature of Josiah Sanders’ game is what puts him here. At a lengthy 6-foot-7 and 200 pounds, Sanders is most comfortable on the ball. He plays with a great pass and he sees the floor to make good reads. 

Sanders also showed an ability to get downhill off the bounce. His ability to attack the paint, without a screen is a nice new development for him. He was comfortable making reads in traffic, showing balance and touch. He rebounded the ball well and he showed he could score in a variety of ways with pullups and post-ups added in. 

Sanders is not currently ranked among the 50 players in On3’s 2026 class. However, he is someone that will be in heavy consideration for the next update.

3. Three-Star CG Isaiah Henry

Physical is an interesting word that comes to mind when talking about Isaiah Henry. The 6-foot-4 guard has a physical frame, with natural strength and explosive pop. 

Henry has developed his pace, becoming comfortable going fast to slow to get to his spots. However, he is naturally an explosive, downhill guard, and that is when he is at his best. He still needs to polish the jump shot and extend his range out to three, but he was reliable from the free-throw line here. Henry has upside as a perimeter defender. He can move his feet and he plays physically at the point of attack. He is also a good rebounder at his position. 

Henry, who is the younger brother of NFL defensive end KJ Henry, finished with 22 points, nine rebounds, and four assists in the win. He recently took his first official visit, to Georgia.

4. Four-Star SG Austin Swartz (Miami)

Austin Swartz came into the event as the highest-ranked player. He came out the gates hot, knocking down multiple shots to get his team out to an early lead. 

Swartz is a scorer, and he is at his best when looking to knock down shots. The Concord (NC) Cannon School guard handled the ball confidently in this one. He got his team into sets and he moved it around. 

The Miami signee finished with 23 points, getting most of his points using a tough mid-range pull-up. Swartz is the No. 38 player in the 2024 On3 150.

5. Four-Star PG Eli Ellis

Eli Ellis has built quite the fan base on social media. A heavy crowd came to watch him, both for and against him. The night prior, Ellis excited onlookers with a game-winner as time expired. 

This was my first viewing of Ellis during the high school season. He is someone I have watched since he was in sixth grade, and seen his continued path and development. In this one the shot was not falling, however that did not affect his ability to put his fingerprints on the game. This is somewhere his game has really developed over the years. 

Ellis is still a threat from deep, even if off that game, a defense has to stay tight with him because his range extends past 30 feet and he will pull it at any time. Ellis did a good job here attacking matchups. He would get into the teeth of the defense and distribute to teammates. He has good court vision and threw precise passes in traffic. Ellis also rebounded his position well and played good team defense. 

South Carolina and Virginia Tech were both present watching Ellis here. He recently took an official visit to South Carolina. 

Other Standouts

Three-Star C Gabriel Mabor (2024) is possibly the top available senior in North Carolina. The 6-foot-10 center is a rebounding machine. Where the intrigue lies with him is his offensive game. He attacked off the bounce here and finished at the rim. Mabor is the No. 150 player in the 2024 On 150, he recently took a visit to Tennesssee. It will be interesting to see which programs jump in after the early signing period. He had 21 and 11.

F Josiah Johnson-Freeman (2027) shot the ball very well for Charlotte (NC) Northside Christian. The lengthy, 6-foot-4 guard was comfortable off movement and with his feet set, knocking down shots at each level here.

G Isaac Ellis (2026) when it was closing time, he simply made plays. He took care of the ball, got it to its right spots, and he knocked down shots. Was a very poised showing. Was 2-2 from three and finished with 14 points in the win.

PG Q Williams (2026) had complete control of the game. Down by 20 in the third quarter, he orchestrated a comeback to take the game into overtime. He is smaller, but his poise is off the charts, and so is his ability to make a play. 

PF Cody Peck (2026) is a name to go ahead and write down as the upside is clear. He is 6-foot-9 and a very fluid athlete. There is a strength factor and he will need to continue to develop, but athletically, he simply has so much you cannot teach. Write the name down, and check back in periodically. He finished with 11 rebounds and three blocked shots.

SF Kameron Taylor (2024) is an unsigned senior bound to see an uptick in his recruitment. He has a great frame with length and is very bouncy. Taylor attacked the rim here and he finished through contact and even knocked down multiple threes. He finished with 29 points and nine rebounds.