SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- The Hoophall Classic features many of the nation's top players and big time matchups. National Basketball Analyst Eric Bossi has a live blog from Saturday's action.

More: Five-star Emmitt Williams talks top three | 2018 Rivals150 | 2019 Rivals150

When event organizers for the HoopHall Classic put Chino Hills (Calif.) High on the schedule against Spartanburg (S.C.) Day, they figured they would get a repeat of the summer of 2017's biggest circus when LaMelo Ball took on Zion Williamson. Ball moved on to Europe but luckily five-star junior power forward Onyeka Okongwu was there to save the day and the matchup.

In a nationally televised game, Okongwu went off for 35 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks to lead Chino Hills over Spartanburg Day despite 36 points and 12 rebounds from Williamson in just his second game back from a foot injury.

Okongwu dominated around the rim on both sides of the floor and scored many of his baskets with loud dunks. He hit a couple of mid range jumpers and had an alpha dog mentality on offense to go along with his high level defense that showed a big step forward since the summer. Okongwu has a top five of Arizona State, Kansas, UCLA, USC and Washington.

On the other side was Williamson. Playing in only his second game back from a month and a half or so layoff due to a foot injury he looked a little winded at times but provided the sellout crowd their money's worth. The high flyer finished strong at the rim, used his physical toughness and was basically as advertised. He confirmed again his plans to decide on January 20th and while engaging during a media scrum, didn't give many hints about his decision -- Clemson, Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina and South Carolina are the contenders -- even though buzz for Clemson continues to grow.

In one of the day's most exciting games, 2018's No. 1 player R.J. Barrett scored 23 points and grabbed six rebounds as Montverde (Fla.) Academy held on for dear life in a 62-60 win over Chicago (Ill.) Simeon who was led by Talen Horton-Tucker's game high 26 points.

Maybe the most impressive thing that the Duke bound Barrett did on Saturday was play big time defense in key spots. He harassed Horton-Tucker into some very difficult jumpers and forced a key turnover with 20 seconds to go. His ability to be physical on that end combined with his mid range lefty scoring on the offensive end is a dangerous combo. Barrett did miss some key free throws late but had an overall solid outing.

The top to bottom size of Montverde is pretty overwhelming and Barrett wasn't without lots of help. Five-star Florida bound point guard Andrew Nembhard continues to shoot the ball well and had 12 points, two assists and five rebounds while Georgia Tech bound point guard Michael Devoe had 11, four and three of his own. Also making some key plays late was Gonzaga bound four-star forward Filip Petrusev whose late three may have been the biggest shot of the game. He's thin, but mobile and skilled and finished with 10 points and five boards.

Recently elevated to No. 31 overall, the Iowa State bound Horton-Tucker took over for stretches at the beginning and end of the game while grabbing 10 rebounds to go with his 26 points. The Montverde size was bothersome at times which led to some forced jumpers but for the most part he proved why he's steadily climbed in the rankings.

For the second weekend in a row, unsigned three-star senior point guard Xavier Pinson had flashes of brilliance. In the right situation he's got the athleticism and instincts to develop into a really productive player at a pretty high level. Pinson just needs time to add strength.

The Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga combo of Penn State bound Rivals150 wing Myles Dread and four-star sophomore forward Terrance Williams was simply too much as Gonzaga rolled to an 86-51 win over Waterbury (Conn.) Sacred Heart. On the night Dread and Williams combined for 51 points and 17 rebounds.

Headed to Penn State next season, Dread is going to be a long time contributor for the Nittany Lions. Known for his toughness and doing the little things earlier in his career, Dread has developed into a dangerous jump shooter and physical defender who should help to stretch defenses on one end and protect the three point line on the other.

Williams debuted in our 2020 rankings earlier this week and backed up his inclusion in an efficient 26 point and 13 rebound effort. A combo forward at this point, Williams likened his game to that of former Oregon star and NBA rookie Dillon Brooks.

He's been to Maryland, N.C. State and Villanova for visits and has offers from N.C. State, DePaul, Towson, George Mason, George Washington, Georgetown and Long Beach State among others.

He knows that his future will likely need to be on the perimeter so he's working on that, but for now he's just doing what it takes to help his team.

"Long term I'm definitely going to be on the wing," said Williams. "Right now I'm just doing what Coach (Steve) Turner needs me to do. If he needs me to play the three, I'll play the three. If he needs me to play the five then I'll play the five."

The nature of Philadelphia (Pa.) Imhotep's easy win over the New Haven (Conn.) Hillhouse School and their depth of talent prevented anybody from going off. But, it's clear that junior guard Dahmir Bishop has big upside and he's getting much deserved attention.

At 6-foot-4, Bishop is a fine athlete who can play at either the point or off the ball as a scorer. His jump shot looks good, he's a plus defender and he gives you the feel of somebody just starting to figure out how good they can be. He'd like to play point on the next level but is being recruited more as a two by programs like VCU, Seton Hall, Rutgers, Penn State, St. Joseph's, LaSalle and Temple who have all offered.

"I consider myself as a combo guard right now and I think that I can play the point when I get to college," Bishop told Rivals.com. "I'm being mostly recruited as a two for my scoring."

Bishop has seen campuses like Penn State, St. Joe's and Temple unofficially. But, he'd like to set up an official visit with VCU -- who was on hand to watch Saturday -- soon and says that the Rams are standing out.

"VCU is standing out the most right now," said Bishop. "They are on me hard, come to a lot of my practices and are putting in the work.

Truth be told, Andre Jackson probably would have rather been anywhere in the world other than answering questions after his Alban (N.Y) Academy team lost 83-69 to Arlington (Va.) Bishop O'Connell. But, the 6-foot-6 sophomore wing was the story when it comes to prospects after announcing his presence on the national stage with a 27 point, eight rebound and four assist effort.

Skilled with good size, athleticism and a nice feel for things on the offensive end, Jackson showed off a versatile offensive game. He hit jumpers, played above the rim when needed and impressed with his ability to find open teammates.

He'll get strength with age and the rest of his game will mature but he looks like the type of player that has the tools to factor into the national rankings for his class and he's got high majors offering already.

Jackson plays with the Albany City Rocks in the summer and listed offers from Syracuse, Iowa, Umass and St. Bonaventure to go along with interest from George Washington and Connecticut. To date, he's taken an unofficial to UMass.

"That's about how I play most of the time, do a little bit of it all," said Jackson. "I just wish that we could have gotten the win."

Three-star junior point guard Tyson Etienne of Glen Head (N.Y.) Long Island Lutheran took advantage of the stage offered to him by the Hoophall Classic. The tough scoring point guard went for 23 points, four rebounds, five assists and four steals.

In the crowd to see him was UMass head coach Matt McCall and a pair of assistants and he's got an offer from them along with Old Dominon, Hofstra, Iona, Holy Cross and Central Connecticut State.

Florida, Marquette, Dayton, Temple and Illinois have also been in touch with the guard who plays his summer ball on the Nike circuit for the PSA Cardinals.

"I was able to come out and get in a zone right from the start," said Etienne. "My mind was clear and I was able to make some shots and then get others involved.

"I can do a little bit of both as a either a point guard or scorer."