Link Academy (Mo.) Defeats Wasatch Academy (Utah) at Chipotle Nationals

Carlos Medlock Jr. and Davion Thompson lead the way for Link Academy in 69-62 victory

Apr. 2, 2026 at 2:43pm

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The 2026 Chipotle Nationals high school basketball tournament kicked off with Link Academy (Mo.) defeating Wasatch Academy (Utah) 69-62 in the opening round. Link Academy, ranked No. 17 nationally, was led by senior point guard Carlos Medlock Jr. who scored 21 points, and junior guard Davion Thompson who added 17 points. The Lions controlled the game for the majority of the contest, leading by as many as 19 points before Wasatch made a late push in the second half.

Why it matters

The Chipotle Nationals is one of the premier high school basketball tournaments in the country, featuring some of the top teams and players. This opening round matchup between two nationally ranked programs provides an early look at the talent and competitiveness that will be on display throughout the tournament.

The details

Link Academy shot 50% from the field as a team and was led by the strong performances of Medlock and Thompson. The Lions also got contributions from their other starters, including Kansas four-star signee Trent Perry, Oregon four-star signee Tahj Ariza, and Mississippi State four-star commit Tristan Reed. Despite the loss, Wasatch Academy, ranked No. 20 nationally, kept the game close and got double-digit scoring efforts from junior Mana Winitana, UConn four-star signee Junior County, and senior Chidi Nwigwe.

  • The 2026 Chipotle Nationals began on Wednesday, April 2, 2026.
  • Link Academy and Wasatch Academy faced off in the opening round of the tournament.

The players

Carlos Medlock Jr.

A four-star senior point guard for Link Academy who is signed to play at Michigan State University.

Davion Thompson

A junior guard for Link Academy who scored 17 points in the win.

Trent Perry

A four-star small forward for Link Academy who is signed to play at the University of Kansas.

Tahj Ariza

A four-star small forward for Link Academy who is signed to play at the University of Oregon. He is the son of former NBA player Trevor Ariza.

Tristan Reed

A four-star power forward for Link Academy who is committed to Mississippi State University.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

Link Academy will face Dynamic Prep (Texas), the No. 12 team in the nation, in the quarterfinals on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

The takeaway

This opening round matchup at the Chipotle Nationals showcased the depth and talent of Link Academy, which was able to withstand a late push from Wasatch Academy to secure the victory. The tournament will continue to provide an exciting platform for some of the top high school basketball programs and players in the country to compete against one another.