SPRINGFIELD – It started in middle school back in Portland.
Long before Isiah Harwell and Katrelle Harmon ever suited up together for Wasatch Academy in Mt. Pleasant, Utah, the duo was dominating for the Rose City Rebels.
“We played eighth grade EYBL,” Harwell said. “And we should’ve won it.”
At the time, Harwell was playing back home in Pocatello, Idaho. After a year of high school there, the 6′5″ guard brought his talents to Mt. Pleasant.
For Harmon, who grew up in Renton, Washington, just outside Seattle, the move to Wasatch took longer.
Katrelle Harmon dribbles for Wasatch Academy boys basketball.Peyton Doyle
Before he got to Utah, Harmon spent time in the prep scene around Seattle and eventually reclassified to the class of 2026.
The whole time though, he had multiple people pulling at his ear from Wasatch.
“Shoot it was [Harwell] and Paul [Peterson],” Harmon said of his recruitment to Wasatch. “[Harwell] has been recruiting me since after his sophomore year and Paul has been recruiting me since after my eighth grade year.”
Peterson, the head coach at Wasatch since 2018, knew it would be a challenge to pull Harmon away from home.
“For all Seattle kids it’s hard because they’re such homebodies,” Peterson said. “But it was worth it, it was like a two or three year thing.
“His dad felt like it was the right time to make the jump and I think it was too.”
Wasatch Academy boys basketball Head coach Paul Peterson directs his players from the sideline.Peyton Doyle
On Friday, with Harwell now in his third year with Wasatch as a senior, and Harmon his first as a junior, the duo took the court at the 2025 Hoophall Classic.
“We’ve been looking at this since we were kids,” Harmon said. “To be able to get out there on the big stage, just the glory of God.
Harwell echoed his teammate in his appreciation for the event.
“It’s all a blessing, just to have the opportunity to pay basketball in general,” Harwell said. “It’s nothing but the glory of God that put us on the court to play.”
The team’s opening matchup was no easy task. The Tigers faced off with IMG Academy who featured two top 15 seniors and three juniors in the top 50 of ESPN’s 2026 rankings.
Harmon and Harwell though, each top 35 recruits in their respective classes, proved up for the task.
Along with Mariano Manciel who wowed with 28 points, the duo helped Wasatch upend IMG 59-58.
“It was just grittiness,” Peterson said. “We just talk about grittiness, being relentless, being a team, and they’re buying in for sure.”
Isiah Harwell handles the ball for Wasatch Academy against IMG Academy.Peyton Doyle
Although Harmon finished with just nine points, he flexed his potential as a special playmaker and defender at 6′4, finishing with seven assists and two steals.
“I think he’s showing his versatility as a point guard,” Peterson said of Harmon. “Everyone says he’s a combo but he’s our point. guard.
“I think him doing that at the highest level is showing everyone that he is our point guard.”
Wasatch Academy’s Katrelle Harmon guards Arkansas commit Darius Acuff.Peyton Doyle
Harwell had a bit of an off night shooting but kept the energy high throughout and did impressive work on the glass.
Although he wasn’t hitting consistently, he showed a ton of confidence from outside and gave his team a boost right out of the gate with a triple.
Isiah Harwell celebrates hitting a three for Wasatch Academy boys basketball against IMG Academy.Peyton Doyle
Next year, Harwell will be swapping his Wasatch Tigers jersey for a Houston Cougars one.
ESPN’s 14th ranked recruit in the 2025 class, Harwell turned down offers from Alabama, Baylor, Cal, Gonzaga, North Carolina, Texas, and 16 other programs to sign with Houston in November.
“Just the culture man,” Harwell said. “They just all dogs and I feel like I fit the play style and everything that goes with it. Coach Sampson’s a dog so he’s going to bring the best out of you.”
With one year left, Harmon’s future is still uncertain. The No. 31 ranked recruit by ESPN in his class, Harmon has 21 offers so far including from Auburn, Creighton, LSU, Illinois, Oregon, and Washington.
“I’m not sure yet,” Harmon said of his college commitment. “It depends on which coach I have the best relationship with.”
Harmon and Harwell will play one more game at the 2025 Hoophall Classic, facing off with LaLumiere Saturday night at 9 p.m.
