On the Road: Scouting Ron Steele

Steele is one of the South's top guards for the class of 2004

RivalsHoops traveled to Homewood (AL) High School to watch the first round of the Metro-Independent Tournament. John Carroll High School, who is led by one of the South’s top point guard prospects in junior Ron Steele, took on Pell City in the opening round of the tournament.

John Carroll (16-0) and ranked #3 in the 6A classification entered the tournament a week after claiming the WQSB Classic Tournament title in Boaz, Alabama. The Cavaliers jumped out to an early 30-9 first quarter lead and never looked back, coasting to an 80-62 victory with Steele sitting out half of the third quarter and all of the fourth.

The Cavaliers got an impressive performance from Steele, who is rated the Southeast’s 7th best prospect for the Class of 2004 by RivalsHoops. Steele scored 15 points, dished out 11 assists and recorded five steals.

Another nice looking prospect for the Cav’s was small forward DeMarre Carroll, 6-foot-5, 190-pounds. Carroll, who prepped last year at Minor (AL) High School in Birmingham, finished the game with 11 points, 10 rebounds and three steals. New UAB head coach Mike Anderson is Carroll’s uncle and the Blazers among a host of others are showing early interest in the junior prospect.

Scouting Steele:

The Good: True point guard with great vision and handle … nice range on his jumper but also excels at driving hard to the basket … very athletic with a nice vertical jump … strong defensive player and rebounds well for his size … floor general who runs the show.

Needs Improvement: Sometimes proves to be too unselfish … needs to look for shot more … can be too creative and causing unforced turnovers.

Bottom Line: Steele is a big time athlete with major basketball skills. Steele is also one of the state’s top football players and is a good student and very coachable. He did not receive some of the press of the more heralded guards in the 2004 class due to him playing on the 16 & Under AAU circuit, but belongs near the top of the list. Steele has a chance to be a top 20-30 prospect.

Scouting Carroll:

Carroll is a sleeper to keep an eye for 2004

The Good: Athletic player who runs the floor well … likes to penetrate to the basket … good outside shot with nice range … will put the ball on the floor … not scared to mix it up inside … nice defensive instincts and a good rebounder.

Needs Improvement: Must get bigger and stronger … needs to improve ball handling skills … will need to be better fundamentally on the defensive end.

Bottom Line: Carroll is a nice looking player who was injured during the summer basketball season. He has potential and is one to definitely watch closely this summer.