Putnam pg 9 6-20-19
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PUTNAM — New England Prep Basketball is like no other. One year you may have 6, 7 or even 8 returnees for the following season or, like the Putnam Science Academy Mustangs this upcoming season, you may have just one returning player which sets up a busy summer. The Mustangs coaching staff has a lot on their plate this summer and it’s not BBQ wings and burgers.
PSA currently has just one returning player from last year’s Prep team in point guard Hassan Diarra and now Head Coach Tom Espinosa and Assistant Coach Josh Scraba will be on the hunt to find players who can fit the Mustang style as they aim to make it back to the National Prep Tournament next year. The process has already begun with two new players making their way to Putnam in the fall.
Terrell Ard Jr., a 6-foot, 7-inch forward from Acworth Georgia recently committed to Putnam Science Academy and man he is fun to watch. Ard splashed onto the scene in Georgia during his junior season where he averaged 12 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists later named Offensive Player of the Year for Altoona High School, but it was his senior year where Ard became a great all-around player. In 28 games, Terrell averaged 17 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 blocks along with being named to the Georgia All-Region 2nd Team and stepped up on defense being awarded the Defensive Player of the Year award for Altoona High School. During the senior campaign, Ard posted a monster game against South Paulding High School where the forward scored 34 points along with 12 rebounds, 8 assists and 8 blocks. Oh yeah, he also was money from the free-throw line hitting 19 of 21 from the charity stripe.
Terrell stayed busy playing AAU basketball for the Georgia Canes this summer and will enroll at Putnam Science Academy in the coming months. Ard Head Coach Bryce Washington of the Georgia Canes said: “He’s a versatile player that can play multiple positions, he impacts the game in all areas and has a great basketball IQ and vision. My biggest takeaway with him is he’s a team player.”
Another forward who will be making his way to Putnam will be coming a long way from France. Melvyn Ebonkoli is a 6-6 forward who brings toughness to the program from day 1, something Head Coach Tom Espinosa preaches with his kids. Ebonkoli has played for France’s U17 and U18 teams and has had his fair share of success at the international level. In a highly competitive league, Ebonkoli played in 21 games averaging just under 6 points per game and grabbing 6 rebounds per game, something the Mustangs will need with big men About Ousmane, Kareem Reid, Nate Stokes and Russel Tchewa all moving on. Melvyn set a career high in points scoring 20 while also notching 12 rebounds in a Pro A U21 game vs BCM Basket Gravelines. Just one month later, Melvyn would set yet another career high this time in rebounds with 14 in a win over Strasbourg.
Head Coach of the Prep Team Tom Espinosa said: “Terrell is extremely athletic and his potential is through the roof. I believe this this Post-Grad year will be good for him and help open more doors for is college future.” Terrell Ard holds offers from Morehead State, the University of Tampa, Morehouse College and USC Upstate just to name a few. Espinosa will be banking on recent success with players coming overseas with the addition of Melvyn Ebonkoli. “We hope Melvyn can step in and continue the tradition of overseas front court guys here at Putnam Science Academy. Guys like Alexis Yetna, Josh Mballa and Russel Tchewa have all contributed in their time here so he will fill a much needed role.”
Josh Sanchas
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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