Top Defenders Part I

One of the skill set that seems to be under taught, and under valued is the ability to play defense.  It does not look flashy because you do not have the ball in your hands.  Great defense wins games and championships.  This list is Colorado top defensive players.   Good luck trying to score on either of them when they are guarding you. <strong>Tosjanae Bonds, G, 5'5", 2020, Far Northeast </strong> Bonds is no doubt one of the best defensive players in the state.  She leads Colorado in steals per game with her quick feet, speed, and quick hands.  Last year she averaged 17.1 points per game, shot from the field 168-329, 7.7 steals per game and got to the line 134 times last year.   She does a great job timing ball-handlers allowing her to pick their pockets.  Last year she gathered a total of 184 steals in a season.   Last year Bonds was ranked No. 10 in the nation in steals, 4 of the 10 players has graduated already. <strong>Iyahnni Qualls, G, 5'3", 2020, George Washington </strong> Last year she averaged 11.5 points per game, 6.7  steals per game, and 3.5 assist per game.  Anytime she is on the floor she either forces a turnover or helping a teammate force a turnover.  Qualls also jumps to the ball extremely well allowing her to take passes away in the passing lane.  She ended up picking the ball from opponents 107 times last year. <strong>Makayla Hemingway, G, 5'11",  2020, Cherokee Trail</strong> Hemingway is one of the best 2-way player in her class.  She can shoot the ball amongst the best of them and she is a great vocal leader on the floor.  Hemingway also plays great defense keeping her opponent in front at all times and taking the ball away from ball-handlers who exposes the ball.  Last year she averaged 14.3 points per game, shooting 124-340 from field goal, 4.4 steals per game.  Stole the ball 105 times from her opponents last year during the season. <strong>Shamahra Henderson, G, 5'8", Thornton</strong> Henderson is a player that does it all, she can rebound, plays great defense, score, dives on the floor, and more.  she is physical, strong, and fast.   Last year she averaged 17.0 points per game, 150-382 from the field, 4.4 steals per game.   She is always in her great defense stands and moves her feet on defense.  Her defense awareness is  through the roof.  Won't be surprise to see her play at a D1 school some where.  She stole the ball from opponents 102 times last year. <strong>Mikaylah Espinosa, G, 2022, The Academy</strong> Being only a Freshman last year, Espinosa helped her team to a record of 22-2 leading her team in steals and points.  Last year she averaged 16.0 points per game, 161-321 from the field, 6.2 steals per game.  Most of her points came from the 2 point field goal range, she shot a percentage of 56.  She stole the ball a total of 148 times last year as a freshman. &nbsp;