The commencement of the 2025-26 Nike EYBL Scholastic season left little doubt about the second-to-none talent on display while simultaneously creating an immense level of doubt about who would sit atop the league when it’s all said and done in March.
Six teams duked it out for three days at the LVLUP Athletics Hoopfest in Pleasant Grove, Utah, in a pre-Turkey Day showdown.
Reigning league champion Link Academy, which checks in at No. 2 in the SCNext Top 25, flexed its proverbial muscles, reeling off two impressive wins; first against No. 21 Wasatch Academy, 63-59, and then rolling Veritas Prep, 77-57.
In the two wins the Lions drained 19 3-pointers and shot 42 percent. Carlos Medlock Jr., a Michigan State signee, led the Lions averaging 18 points a game.
“We have a lot of depth and we have a bond on and off the court already,” Medlock said. “We just have to keep talking out there. Just stay vocal.”
AZ Compass Prep showed its dominance on the defensive end, snagging 16 steals a game in two wins. The Dragons drained 8.5 3-pointers and held opponents to just 29.5 percent from deep.
Kalek House, an Xavier signee, led the dragons with 17.5 points a game.
“We pride ourselves on ball pressure and our guys are committed to doing it on the defensive end,” AZ Compass Prep coach Pete Kaffey said. “I’ve got a special team, and it starts with our three returning guys. They understand the league, and they know the culture. I’ve got a very connected group and they’re all about one thing: Winning. It feels good to go 2-0 in the best league in high school basketball. That’s always rewarding.”
Before Veritas Prep’s lopsided loss to Link Academy, it kicked off league play with an impressive shooting barrage from deep, connecting on 10 of 18 from three to pull off an 88-74 win over Utah Prep.
The Titans got 29 points off the bench and Jalen Grant led five players in double figures with 20 points, including shooting 10 of 10 from the free-throw line.
Sunrise Christian Academy snagged a big win over Wasatch Academy in dramatic fashion when Omar Karem drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer to sink the Tigers. Christian Matos led the Buffaloes with 26 points, eight rebounds and three steals in the win.
The Buffaloes closed out with a 79-47 loss to AZ Compass Prep.
Here’s a quick glance of how it all shook out this week:
Link Academy 2-0
AZ Compass Prep 2-0
Veritas Prep 1-1
Sunrise Christian Academy 1-1
Utah Prep 0-2
Wasatch Academy 0-2
Currently, 11 teams are ranked in the ESPN SCNext High School Top 25:
2. Link Academy
5. AZ Compass Prep
6. Brewster Academy
8. Spire Academy
10. Long Island Lutheran
11. Montverde Academy
12. CIA Bella Vista
14. La Lumiere School
20. Oak Hill Academy
21. Wasatch Academy
25. Faith Family Academy
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