Kale Stephens, Central Point Post Grad.–The Fort Wayne, Ind., native has been a revelation with his shot-making ability for Central Point Christian Academy post-graduate.
A sound, playmaking point guard at 6-foot-2 and 187 pounds, Stephens hit three consecutive 3-pointers during Brad Traina’s team’s resounding 61-60 upset victory over traditional Florida JUCO power Eastern Florida State, including the game-winner (amid a thorough closeout) with 1.6 seconds remaining.
It was leadership and his ability to take game-changing matters into his own hands that led to a rare prep-over-JUCO win.
Stephens showed toughness on both sides of the floor in Central Point’s 92-75 loss to Montverde Academy’s post graduate team on Thursday night. He’s a willing passer who knows how to make the right read.
If he can continue to be a consistent scoring source, who certainly doesn’t shy away from the big shot, he should certainly ramp up his recruitment this winter. He’s a bigger, deliberate guard who will seize leadership reins of a team that should find momentum with the aforementioned upset victory over Eastern FL.
Johnny Bernard, Eastern Florida–The Michigan City, Ind. native is an adept passer who really sees the floor and knows how to make his surrounding pieces better. He’s also a scoring threat who can hit the straight away 3-pointer with consistency and has inherited some of the scoring leadership with Florida-bound Osayi Osifo out.
After having a minimal impact in the Titans first two games of the season, Bernard scored 18 points (8-for-11 FG, 2-for-4 3FG) during an 83-67 win over TLAP Prep of South Florida. Bernard piled up 11 assists to six turnovers through the team’s first three games of the season.
Amar Tiganj, Eastern Florida–Despite the Titans’ irregular 1-3 start, Tiganj has shown flashes as a role player. The freshman from Sarajevo, B & H, is a shot-maker with an adeptness at scoring it with either hand. While he may be overshadowed and play a supplementary role behind guys like Georgia-bound guard Mikal Starks, Tiganj has displayed the attributes to be a reliable, supplementary two-way piece. He was active on defense during the aforementioned loss to Central Point, with a loud block on a close out and sturdy on-ball pressure.
A well-built 6-foot-2 guard, Tiganj has shown promise during an uncharacteristic start for the team that has registered seven consecutive league championships and was ranked No.5 in the country according to pre-season polls.
Lachlin Bofinger, Montverde Academy Post Grad–The 6-foot-5 forward showed an athletically explosive game during the All American Jamboree in Tavares, Fla., last month, with one wowing two-handed dunk that sent the gym into a frenzy. Fresh off his commitment to UTSA, Bofinger scored 15 points and ripped eight rebounds during a 92-75 win over Central Point PG at home on Thursday.
A smooth and adept finisher, the muscle-bound forward from Australia possesses a tremendous consistency and feel for finishing around and above the rim and leaking out in transition and finishing with a full head of steam. He’s been working to develop a steadier outside shot, a compartment of his game that is still developing. He bring boundless energy in his ability to carom rebounds on both sides of the floor and provides a workmanlike game, engaged throughout.
Issad Solano, Daytona State: The newly-minted starting point guard authored back to back 18-point performances during an 87-86 win over Denmark Technical College and later a 112-77 thrashing of Triple Threat Prep of Miami. While Solano was known for his deft outside shooting during his high school career, he’s become a key distributor, piling up 14 assists (to eight turnovers) during those back to back wins. He’s averaging 13.3 points and 5.3 boards, transitioning to the meaningful minutes seamlessly and establishing a presence defensively.
