BY ZACH SMART
As a deft ball handler with a proficient purity of vision in his play-creation and slick passing repertoire, Class of 2027 PSA Cardinals guard Peyton Howell heads into this upcoming 2026-27 season as a weathered, gritty guard at traditional national power Long Island Lutheran.
Howell’s manipulative one on one game, mid range pull up, and knack for attacking both sides of the rim ambidextrously have blossomed.
The blurrish quick 5-foot-10 Howell cited an arduous, relentless summer grind with the PSA Cardinals as a pivotal factor preparing him for the lofty aspirations and rigors of his here-soon senior season at LUHI.
“I definitely think playing on the EYBL landscape and playing in this type of constantly competitive environment just prepares me for (my senior year) and the next level,” Howell told ZAGSBLOG on Wednesday.
In seizing the reins of a more meaningful role at LUHI this season, Howell is cognizant that the onus is on him to help nine new faces get acclimatized to the culture. He’s also helping this new core adapt to a pressure-heavy system employed by longtime head coach John Buck.
“Coach Buck just tells me to stay the course and be a leader,” said Howell, who has been hearing from Lehigh, Texas Southern, Stonehill, Marist and others.
“We definitely just want to have more of a culture than we did last year. We may not have any five star recruits, but Coach Buck knows that if we stay together, do as we’re supposed to and stay disciplined, we can be really good.”
Howell showed flashes during the PSA Cardinals’ pulsating 78-71 come from behind victory over the country’s top-ranked point guard in Beckham Black and AB Elite in Las Vegas this summer.
PSA stormed back from a 14-point first half deficit during this marquee and memorable matchup.
Micah Gordon, who recently committed to Creighton, turned in a game-best 29 points.
Howell fired in a deep 3-pointer, scored on a pair of nifty, twisting layups through traffic and doled out four assists.
Lately, Howell has found himself barricaded in the gym, launching a fusillade of 3-pointers.
He envisions making the outside shot a finer point of his hardwood trade this season.
Having been a role player for a LUHI national program which has criss-crossed the country for major national events, along with the EYBL experience under PSA Cardinals, Howell is eager for the final chapter of his prep career.
“The big game experience helps me for this year and for the next level,” Howell said.
“My IQ, my ability to see the floor and my feel for the game, all of this helps me.”
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