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PLEASANT GROVE — Less than 24 hours after Orem's boys basketball team showed it can hang with anybody, the Tigers offered up validation as the team to beat in Utah.
Led by BYU signee Chamberlain Burgess and Utah State-bound guard Jax Allen, Orem went 2-0 at the third-annual 5 for the Fight National Hoopfest with a 42-41 win over California's Sierra Canyon followed by a 71-55 victory over Lone Peak in the tournament nightcap.
In one game, the Tigers were out to prove Utah high school basketball against top classification. In the other, they were out to prove themselves among the top of the contenders, Burgess told KSL.com.
"Utah basketball is underrated," said Burgess, who had 10 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks against Sierra Canyon. "We win, and we can shoot. But I think this is big for Orem. I think we're a special team, and we can do a lot.
"We all just play like a team and we play together. We just stay together, and that's how we win."
The 6-foot-9 forward with a four-star rating from 247Sports and ESPN is the highest-rated recruit to sign with the Cougars out of the Utah High School Activities Association, picking head coach Kevin Young and assistant coach Chris Burgess — his uncle — in joining the same program where his father Josh and mother Ashleigh Chamberlain played after helping the Utah Prospects to back-to-back Adidas 3SSB summer championships.
"They made me feel like I was valued to them," said Burgess, who was recruited mostly by Young and assistant Brandon Dunson, who watched the Tigers' win over Sierra Canyon from courtside before joining BYU at a Thanksgiving tournament in San Diego. "I like their peel defense a lot, to help me come over to block shots and also guard on the outside."
After his double-double against Sierra Canyon, Burgess — who plans to serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints immediately after high school — followed it up with 19 points and 16 rebounds against the Knights, who led by double digits early and took a 14-12 lead after the first quarter.
But Allen, who will play for the same Aggie program where his brother Drake is a senior after serving a two-year mission of his own, had 4 points, two assists and a pair of steals during a 14-0 run as the Tigers outscored Lone Peak 32-9 in the second quarter to take control against the 6A power.
"I think we turned it on at the right point," said Allen, who finished that game with 21 points, seven rebounds, four assists and five steals. "We always try to get defensive stops, and that leads to offense. We like to get out and run, and if we don't, then we can set it up like we did in the Sierra Canyon game."
Orem (4-0) knew it had a target on its back, after being ranked No. 1 in 5A by the Deseret News' coaches poll to start to the season.
But Burgess and Allen both said they knew the talent that came with head coach Jace Tevita's team that advanced to the 5A state quarterfinals a year ago before losing by 1 point to eventual runner-up Timpview.
"I think a big thing coming into this tournament was, let's make a statement," said Allen, the 6-foot-3 guard who was part of the highest-rated recruiting class in Utah State history. "There's a reason why we were ranked No. 1 in 5A (by the coaches), and I think our guys played really good. We can hoop, and I think we showcased that very well this weekend."
Allen said he chose the Aggies for their style of play, which hasn't changed much under first-year head coach Jerrod Calhoun, and the prolific offense that is currently led by his older brother Drake Allen.
Big brother was a big influence on Allen's commitment, too, Jax Allen said while stressing he "kind of let me do my own thing." But when younger brother needed an honest assessment of Utah State basketball, the university and Logan, he got it from the well-traveled college hooper.
"He kept it very real with me," Allen said of his brother who also played at Snow College, Southern Utah and Utah Valley. "He didn't pressure me at all, told me what it was. Their coaches were always straight-up, too. It wasn't any surprise."
But if it seems surprising for a Cougar and an Aggie to team up in the Tigers' pursuit of a state title, don't be. It's happened before in high school basketball, and the duo have quickly become friends since Burgess transferred to Orem from Lone Peak.
"I love that guy," Allen said. "He's super high energy, and will do anything you need him to do. He runs the floor well, and blocks shot."
Together, the two are raising the floor with the Tigers.
"There is no ceiling," Allen said. "I think we can continue to get better — always."
