SEE ALSO: Hoophall West Assessment Highlights!
1.Boogie Fland Resembles Notable Kentucky Players
During an exceptional matchup on Friday evening involving two FAB 50 ranked squads and two outstanding athletes, it was a different impressive player who secured the winning shot in a thrilling 53-50 buzzer-beater victory for Boogie Fland’s team from Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.), ranked No. 14 in the FAB 50. Their opponent, No. 29 Perry (Gilbert, Ariz.), is spearheaded by forward Koa Peat, one of the top junior players in the nation with a rigorous national schedule.
The game unfolded with both stars making crucial plays, but it was Stepinac’s Danny Carbuccia who nailed the game-winning three-pointer as time expired, sealing a dramatic 53-50 triumph for the New York visitors in their season opener. Peat made a significant block on Fland with 20.1 seconds remaining in a tense, tied game, which ultimately resulted in a missed shot. Peat (12 points, 12 rebounds, four assists) attempted to make the crucial basket for Perry in the final possession, but a tied ball was called with seven seconds left, paving the way for Carbuccia’s match-winning shot following two swift passes to the left wing.
It is evident that without Fland, Stepinac would not have been in a position to secure the victory. The Kentucky commit and likely McDonald’s All-American captivated the media, scouts and audience with his agile movements and shot-making prowess.
Undoubtedly, he exhibits a playing style similar to former Big Blue Nation guards: Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers) and Immanuel Quickley (New York Knicks), manifesting speed with the ball, sharpshooting, and the ability to evade defenders. He tallied 14 points in the final period, concluding with 27 points, five rebounds, two assists, and three steals. “We did emphasize commencing the season on a positive note and reminded them at halftime,” remarked Stepinac coach Patrick Massaroni.
“We couldn’t have played a worse first half.” Stepinac will strive to sustain their winning momentum as they face regionally-ranked Centennial (Corona, Calif.) in a Saturday afternoon showdown. Perry (4-1) will aim for a comeback against FAB 50 No. 12 Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood, Calif.).
2. Wasatch Academy Makes Impact in EYBL Scholastic League
The Tigers commenced the season at No. 23 in the preseason FAB 50 rankings, and their performances suggest a viable opportunity to secure the runner-up spot in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball Scholastic League (EYBL Scholastic). Although surpassing No. 1 Montverde Academy in the league standings poses a challenge, attaining the second position appears realistic.
Notably, the Tigers suffered an 88-53 loss to the Eagles on Nov. 20 and remarkably, Montverde Academy dominated Columbus (Miami, Fla.) by 28 points, registering an 89-61 victory on Friday evening, while Wasatch Academy narrowly defeated the same team by two points (75-73).
Under the guidance of coach Paul Peterson, the Tigers are currently ranked No. 6 nationally, occupying a spot just ahead of Columbus, and have assembled a talented lineup surrounding the dynamic backcourt of Ohio State-bound guard John Mobley Jr. and the proficient junior shooting guard Isiah Harwell.
Additionally, 6-foot-7 senior Bham Buom from Lincoln, Neb., originating from Ghana, and 6-foot-9 junior Augustine Ekwe from Nigeria have made noteworthy contributions thus far. Buom, an agile forward, adeptly adapts to both interior play and perimeter ball-handling.
Although he is likely to pursue junior college basketball, his potential as a long-term prospect remains exceptional. Ekwe, agile and proficient in rebounding, has been a vital asset for Wasatch Academy, especially in light of the ACL injury sustained by Malick Diallo, a TCU-bound 6-foot-10 center, during the Border League in October, rendering him unavailable for the season.
Buom successfully converted 3-of-4 3-point attempts, accumulating 16 points, whereas Mobley delivered 22 points, inclusive of crucial 3-pointers, in the Tigers’ 71-63 triumph over No. 15 AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.). “Buom and Ekwe are demonstrating remarkable progress and have certainly been a gratifying surprise,” voiced Coach Peterson.
3. Kaden House – A Noteworthy Athlete
The 6-foot-3 sophomore (2026) scoring guard embodies an impressive blend of skills, reminiscent of his brother, New Mexico’s Jaelen House, and his father, former NBA guard Eddie House.
Kaden adeptly maneuvers with the ball, demonstrating agility, change of direction, and swift halts akin to his brother, while also showcasing the scoring prowess reminiscent of his father, who attained the Pac-10 Player of the Year title in 2000 at Arizona State and remains the university’s all-time leading scorer with 2,044 points.
While not identical to his father’s catch-and-shoot playing style, the current standout at Desert Mountain (Scottsdale, Ariz.) adeptly scores through a variety of dribble-based techniques and possesses the innate ability to maneuver past defenders with swift initial moves or a series of euro steps. While not matching his brother’s defensive prowess at the same stage (Jaelen achieved 591 career steals at Shadow Mountain in Phoenix), Kaden exhibits exceptional capabilities as a playmaker on both offense and defense.
In a thrilling 83-81 overtime win over Notre Dame Prep (Scottsdale, Ariz.), he showcased superior skills, contributing 35 points, four assists, three blocks, and five steals.
At one juncture, Desert Mountain held a 20-point lead (34-14) in the second quarter, but conservative ball-handling impeded their performance. Once House (eight turnovers) and his peers learn to value possessions, the team will pose a formidable challenge in the AIA playoffs.
Additionally, his twin brother, 6-foot-2 sophomore Kalek House (19 points), remains a promising prospect in close proximity, while the team also features two freshmen: 6-foot Jabron Bardwell and 6-foot-3 Javon Bardwell. Jabron impresses with adept defensive maneuvers, whereas Javon exhibits a nuanced playing style and a fearless approach.
4. Sunnyslope Primed for Success in 2024-25
In a much anticipated early season clash within the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA), Sunnyslope (Phoenix) demonstrated authority against Millennium (Phoenix), counterparts that are regionally ranked alongside Sunnyslope among the AIA’s leading three teams.
The Vikings enjoyed a 13-point advantage with 4:28 left in the third period, extending it to nine points (49-40) with four minutes to spare. However, lapses in possession management and careless ball control enabled Millennium to mount a remarkable comeback, seizing a tie with a crucial steal and 3-pointer courtesy of CSUN-bound guard Sabien Cain with 15.3 seconds remaining.
Despite succumbing to a 65-62 overtime defeat, coach Ray Portela’s outfit showcased tremendous potential for the future. Delton Prescott, a sprightly 5-foot-11 freshman (2027) point guard, exhibits remarkable swiftness, adept passing skills, and serves as a catalyst for a team comprising four underclassmen. Prescott ranks among the most promising 2027 lead guards observed in the West Region thus far.
Additionally, 6-foot sophomore John Mattingly complements Prescott effectively, showcasing adept playmaking skills and astute decision-making. Mattingly’s strategic prowess is evident in his intellectual approach and precise assessments. 6-foot-5 sophomore Rider Portela, the coach’s son, exhibits agile movement off-the-ball, coupled with a fierce competitiveness and well-rounded skill set. Sunnyslope has already recorded a victory against regionally-ranked Centennial (Corona, Calif.), and their forthcoming encounters with FAB 50 No. 20 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) and No. 29 Perry (Gilbert, Ariz.) will serve as litmus tests.
Regardless of the outcomes against these formidable opponents, Sunnyslope stands as a major AIA open division championship contender and will acquire further potency when 6-foot-7 sophomore Christian Simmons and 6-foot-10 freshman Darius Wabbington acclimate to elite national competition.
Simmons continues to exhibit steady progress, and while Wabbington’s current participation is limited, he will assume a pivotal role come playoff time. Anticipatedly, the team will evolve into an imposing force in the next season, aligning their interior resources with the backcourt’s capabilities and demonstrating proficient ball control in critical moments.
5. Challenges in Managing National Showcase Events
This aspect is pertinent to the challenges associated with organizing high-profile events such as Hoophall West, and acknowledges the efforts of the event management company (Position Sports) following the pandemic.
Numerous public events continue to recuperate from the pre-March 2020 scenario, amid other pertinent factors. The proliferation of concurrent events and rising operational costs, which are subsequently transferred to patrons, pose considerable pressure on both parents and fans, particularly in light of the substantial expenses related to attending games and traveling.
Furthermore, a diminished attendance trend in the West Region can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, not every class boasts a prominent social media figure akin to those witnessed in 2022-23 such as Bronny James or Mikey Williams.
Additionally, fan engagement commences at an early age, inundating them with abundant video and visual content, sometimes resulting in diminished anticipation for witnessing a player in person compared to a decade ago.
Lastly, amidst economic caution, sponsors adopt a circumspect approach towards investing in high school and grassroots events. While this situation remains dynamic, the fervor witnessed with the Ball Brothers and other elite stars prior to 2020, leading to packed venues teeming with fervent crowds, continues to be an exception rather than the rule.
