Profile: St. John The Baptist Lead Guard

Reporters Mike Sullivan and Brian Towey had a chance to watch Prentice Small play recently at Hofstra University during the Hope Through Hoops Classic ... here is a profile on the tough Long Island guard ...

PROFILE: Prentice Small

HEIGHT: 5-foot-8

WEIGHT:165 Pounds

CLASS: 2007

HIGH SCHOOL: St. John The Baptist in West Islip, New York (Long Island)

HIGH SCHOOL COACH: Charlie Peck

AAU TEAM: New York Elite

BRIAN TOWEY'S VIEW: Prentice is making more of an effort to run a team and be a point guard, instead of strictly being the scorer. Small has tried to make a point of using his quickness to infiltrate defenses and get others involved, in addition to looking for his own offense.

MIKE SULLIVAN'S VIEW: Prentice's improvement was very evident during his recent game against Xaverian High School of Brooklyn, New York. He displayed the ability to get his shot off quick (needed for his size) and showcased his speed drive to the basket.

Despite competing against a very talented Xaverian team, Small seemed steady with his decisions and rarely forced any shots.

WHAT HIS HIGH SCHOOL COACH SAYS ABOUT PRENTICE SMALL: "He's our engine," St. John the Baptist coach Charlie Peck told Brian Towey. "He's the guy that makes us go. He's averaging about 12 assists and 27 points this season."

SCHOOLS OF INTEREST: Central Florida, Lehigh, and St. Francis (NY).