It’s The Mighty Mites

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Missouri takes a look at a group of players who are small in stature but big in terms of their impact of the game. Here are a few of those "Little Big Men"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1488300,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/286F7BDB-F013-41EA-BE7A-487FD2B256AB.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/286F7BDB-F013-41EA-BE7A-487FD2B256AB.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1488300" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aaron Walker Jr (SLUH): A 5'9" 2023 point guard who has tremendous speed and quickness to impact the game at both ends of the floor. He can apply excellent on-ball pressure and harass opposing ball handlers. He has continued to build on his offensive game throughout his career as he is currently the prime scoring option for the Jr. Bills. He is averaging 16.7 points, 7.2 assists and 4.7 steals a game while shooting 42 percent from 3-point range in leading SLUH to a 15-8 record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>****</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1265127,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/08/F7B16ACD-D983-43C8-91AB-B7D7B9EF6BF2.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/08/F7B16ACD-D983-43C8-91AB-B7D7B9EF6BF2.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1265127" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1192431' first='Max' last='Templeman'] (Carthage): A 5'9" 2023 point guard who is making a strong bid for the Player of the Year award in the COC. He is a hard-driving guard who is always on the attack and he's fearless when he gets into the lane. He is an excellent finisher in the lane and he can also knock down 3-pointers off the catch. In league play, he is currently averaging 23.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, three assists and three steals a game while shooting a lofty percentage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*****</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1804329,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/C4607AE2-0A15-4237-9A39-FB012019C69B.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/C4607AE2-0A15-4237-9A39-FB012019C69B.jpeg?w=769" alt="" class="wp-image-1804329" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">([player_tooltip player_id='1579187' first='Terrell' last='Gaines'] photo courtesy of Trish Stoops)</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1579187' first='Terrell' last='Gaines'] (Mt View Liberty): The 5'8" 2024 guard is one of the most potent and entertaining bucket-getters in the state. He is routinely getting more than 30 points a night and he's even topped the 40-point mark on a number of occasions. He has excellent quickness and the ability to change directions to create his own shot at just about any time. He has three-level scoring ability as he can get buckets on an assortment of runners, floaters, mid-range jumpers and deep 3-pointers off the bounce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*****</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1467852,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/05/BE37DAE9-7C84-4550-9E93-1FB522CF4BAB.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/05/BE37DAE9-7C84-4550-9E93-1FB522CF4BAB.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1467852" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1269598' first='Jayden' last='Banks'] (MICDS): A 5'10" 2024 point guard who makes things happen at both ends of the floor with his excellent quickness and floor leadership. He can beat defenders off the dribble with his penetration and hit the mid-range jumper, plus he makes 37 percent of his 3-point attempts. He is averaging 11 points and four assists a game for the 18-5 Rams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1789439,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/Vernell-Holt-Jr..jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/Vernell-Holt-Jr..jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1789439" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1424414' first='Vernell' last='Holt Jr.] (Battle): A 5'9" 2025 point guard who took over the starting job for the Spartans midway through his freshman year last season. He has continued to get better and better as he runs the show for a very talented Battle team. He distributes the ball well and he's a tough cover with his ability to break down defenders with his speed and knock down 3-pointers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1179992,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/Nathaniel-Houston-Iii-Tay-Patrick.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/Nathaniel-Houston-Iii-Tay-Patrick.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1179992" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1169166' first='Tay' last='Patrick'] (Battle): The 5'9" 2023 guard came back from an injury in January as he has added some real offensive firepower to an already talented Battle team. He made six 3-pointers in a victory over CMAC rival Rock Bridge about a week ago. He is potent three-level scorer who can also create and break down defenders to get his own shot off the dribble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*****</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1552291,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/08/xander-salas.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/08/xander-salas.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1552291" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1424926' first='Xander' last='Salas'] (Green City): A 5'9" 2025 point guard who is an impressive Class 1 player for a 21-4 Green City team. He is a quick guard who stays in attack mode as he probes the defense looking for driving lanes. His passing ability is excellent and he can also stop and pop from the mid range area for buckets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>******</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1222339,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/06/A51B6043-7EF6-469C-B83D-C000D83C8773.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/06/A51B6043-7EF6-469C-B83D-C000D83C8773.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1222339" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1579852' first='Grant' last='Redd'] (St Pius): A 5'9" 2024 point guard who has been a standout at the position since he entered the program as a freshman. He has good quickness and he's strong enough to get buckets in the lane. He can also keep defenders honest from 3-point range. He is currently averaging 17 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.9 steals a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*****</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->