PLEASANT GROVE, UT - The 5 for the Fight National HoopFest at Pleasant Grove High School tipped off in fine fashion on Monday in the shadows of the Wasatch Mountains. A crowded house saw some of the nation's best teams and players start the three-day event off with a bang.
 

TOP DOGS

Liam McNeeley, Montverde (FL): How do I say this? He’s a stud, a flat-out stud. The Indiana-bound guard was a flame-thrower from all spots on the perimeter, only missing once from three in a one-sided nightcap against the home team Wasatch Academy. McNeeley has ideal next-level and next next-level size for a perimeter scorer and creator. The mechanics are ideal and his ability to pop the nets is a transferable skill at every level. He finished with 21 points and made the game look too easy throughout the contest. Hoosier fans are going to love him. 

Robert Wright, Montverde (FL): Since it’s Thanksgiving season, I wanted to highlight my gratitude for selflessness. Young Mr. Wright certainly gets a big nod and a special plate at grandma’s table for his set-up skill on Monday night in Montverde’s big win over Wasatch. He ran a masterclass on passing to the tune of 11 assists and set up guys like McNeeley for clean, open looks throughout the action. The Baylor-bound guard should be a key piece into the Bears rotation in the years to come. Once again, there is another stud PG coming to play for Drew. 

Tre Johnson, Labaron Philon and Jasper Johnson, Link Academy (MO): Good luck trying to contain the Link Academy backcourt this season. No, seriously. All three of these five-star level talents can beat you when it matters. In Link’s win over Canyon International, we saw Texas-bound Tre Johnson go to work early on, doing most of his work in the first three quarters. Johnson found an incredible zone and never really left. His shot creation is really special and it wouldn’t shock too many people to see Johnson have one of the biggest impacts as a freshman in college hoops next year nationally. 

Link maintained a healthy lead for the majority of the game but the fourth quarter belonged to Kansas-bound Philon. He scored 10 of his 18 points in the final quarter of action. Like Johnson, scoring comes easy for the Mobile, Alabama native. He wanted this one. He wanted the rock in the clutch and wanted to be the one who challenged the defense. It was a true alpha male kind of night from Philon. Fun to watch. 

For Jasper Johnson, he’s in an interesting role this season. The 2025 guard from Kentucky can be the go-to option but finds himself in a great spot playing alongside Johnson and Philon. One on one match-ups and having open driving lanes come often and he knows how to exploit such a match-up and get downhill fast for a bucket. Johnson, a no-brainer 5-star guard, didn’t break line from his role as a leading man in this one. 
 

Cooper Flagg, Montverde (FL): The Utah crowd packed the Pleasant Grove gym to see the No. 1 player in America. That was evident. The hoop heads wanted to see the Duke bound forward for themselves and they weren't disappointed. He came with the full Cooper Flagg experience. The versatility, per usual, stood out. He impacts the game in every category. 
 

Jaxon Johnson, Alta (UT): The future Utah big man came out strong right from the tip for his Alta squad in the day's first game. The big man came out strong with a full array of action. He knocked down a handful of three-pointers, he grabbed rebounds in traffic and he competed in the paint on the defensive end of the floor. Johnson finished with a game-high 28 points and six rebounds rebounds in the 75-56 Atla win over Sunrise Christian. 
 

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT 

Jeremiah Green, Sunrise Christian (KS): The Dallas area guard was a bright spot in defeat for Sunrise Christian. The 6-foot-2 guard had a team-high 16 points (6-8 FG, 3-3 from 3), five rebounds and three assists. Green touched the paint whenever and however he wanted. The class of 2026 guard has an extra gear and an electric first step that allowed him to get to wherever he wanted to on the floor in the loss to Alta. 

Isiah Harwell, Wasatch Academy (UT): Let’s be honest, the Wasatch loss to Montverde was a tough one. Montverde just impressed its will from the start and the natives from WA couldn’t match it. But Harwell still stood in the ring and made sure he mixed in his jabs, hooks and uppercuts when he could. The class of 2025 wing had a team-high 17 points and did a good job of getting to the rim and free-throw line. There was some toughness from him in a full 32 minutes of game action. 

Miles Sadler, Canyon International (AZ): The class of 2026 guard is small but fun to watch go to work. He can make for quick offense with drives or a reliable three-point shot. He drilled four of them in a loss. Don’t be surprised if he has one of the better seasons of any guards in his class in the West. 

NOTES FROM THE NOTEPAD

Ace Reiser, Alta (UT): He had a great day of action in the opener for Alta. The senior point guard scored 14 points, had 13 assists and eight rebounds. He was on a mission in this one. 

Lone Peak picked up an impressive win against a scrappy Chicago Simeon squad. Thom Kramer scored a game-high 25 points, including a clutch 12-13 from the free throw line. He also grabbed seven boards and had five assists in the win. 

Caleb Williams, Sunrise Christian (KS): The native Floridian was impressive in the Sunrise rotation to open up the action on Monday. He scored 15 points in the loss and hit a trio of triples. Williams showed that he’s worthy of a big come-up this season and into travel ball. 
 

In Canyon International’s loss to Link, the only real victory was the offensive board work from Jaion Pitt. The 2025 big man collective seven of his day-high 15 rebounds on the offensive boards. He has such a great knack for finding the ball and getting it off the rim. 

SCOREBOARD 

Alta (UT) 75, Sunrise Christian (KS) 56
Lone Peak (UT) 71, Chicago Simeon (IL) 66 
Link Academy (MO) 74 Canyon International (AZ) 60
Montverde Academy (FL) 88, Wasatch Academy (UT) 53