Westfield, IN–PSA Cardinals guard Johnuel “Boogie” Fland erupted with a 25-point performance (8-for-10 FG, 5-for-7 3FG) en route to a 53-50 win over BABC (MA) during the Nike EYBL Session II at the Pacers Athletic Facility this weekend.
Stepinac’s Fland, who was shelved for half of the 2021-22 season with an injury and has stormed his way back to top shelf form, left his imprint alongside Camden’s DJ Wagner and several other highly acclaimed guys as one of the event’s best guards.
While Fland displayed a newfound outside touch and intergalactic range from 3-point territory, it was the hotly pursued Class of 2024 guard’s defense which really propelled the PSA Cardinals (4-0 this weekend, 8-0 overall).
“Boogie anchors us defensively,” explained PSA Cardinals coach Terrence “Munch” Williams, whose team routinely neutralized opponents and held them under the scoring average they entered Indiana with following Nike EYBL Session 1 in Orlando, Fla.
“In our space, these guys really take pride in locking up defensively on every possession.”
Whether it was in man to man or a harassing press, Fland displayed a level of versatility and accountability.
He had help from 6-foot-10 teammate Yves Missi, who had game-best six blocks during the aforementioned win over BABC.
Anchoring the defense, hitting timely shots amid draping closeouts and emphasizing the team concept over everything else will resonate for Fland, who will seize the leadership reins under Pat Massaroni at Stepinac this coming season.
With slick left handed point guard Sam Gibbs claimed by June graduation and headed to Loyola Maryland to prolong his career, the onus to lead by example and with communication falls on Fland.
Stepinac returns a young and promising core with a veritable swiss army knife in 6-foot-8 (Loyola Maryland commit) Isaiah Alexander, talented Class of 2025 point guard Danny Carbuccia, and versatile 6-foot-6 forward Braylon Ritvo.
It’s a challenge the Harlem native and Class of 2024 prospect has readied himself for and now finds himself relishing. His performance this weekend was indicative of that.
USC On Ball:
After scoring 19 points in a victory over Team Thad, Class of 2023 guard Solomon Ball has now earned an offer from University of Southern California. The offer comes two days after Ball received an offer from Texas A & M.
A 6-foot-3, hyper athletic guard with a 6-foot-10 wingspan and a crafty left handed scoring arsenal, Ball has been on an upward trajectory during the EYBL circuit. After averaging 20 PPG and 5.2 boards during EYBL Session 1, Ball prolonged his scoring pace and ability to impact the game in a variety of ways.
“I received an offer over the phone from the Head Coach (Andy Enfield) and both he and I were excited,” Ball said.
“It definitely means a lot getting that offer because their program has produced so much NBA talent. That is definitely a level that I have always dreamed of playing at. He spoke highly of how I played and how I do much more than score.”
