Colorado’s Blocks Leaders Through Two Weeks

With two weeks of play and somewhere between three and six games in the books for most teams in Colorado, there have already been plenty of exciting games and big-time individual performances across the state. Several of last year’s top producers have picked up where they left off and plenty of up-and-comers are quickly making names for themselves on the state leaderboards. Let’s take a look at some of the players who have been denying shots and holding it down in the paint through the early portion of the 2019-20 campaign. &nbsp; <strong>Ramiyah Byrd, 2023, 5-11, G/F, James Irwin</strong> So far in her prep career, Byrd is averaging 15 points and 16.5 rebounds per game, according to MaxPreps. What’s even more interesting is that her scoring output has increased – 11, 15, 16 and 18 points – in each game she has played at the high school varsity level. But that’s not why she’s first on this list. Byrd is averaging seven blocks per game, which is currently tops in Colorado. She also averages four steals per game, which includes a 40-26 win over Thomas MacLaren School in which she reportedly had 10 blocks and six steals. Not bad for a freshman just getting started on what looks like it could be a promising prep career. &nbsp; <strong>Daisy Rodriguez, 2021, 5-11, C/PF, Aurora West College Prep Academy</strong> The girls at AWCPA are off to a rough 0-4 start to the new campaign, largely a result of some struggles scoring the basketball. But at the defensive end, junior Daisy Rodriguez has found a way to shine. In the Spartans’ four losses, Rodriguez has averaged 6.5 blocks per game. At 5-foot-11, she is also an excellent rebounder and averages 6.8 boards a night. That includes 2.5 rebounds of the offensive variety. &nbsp; <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/emma-johnson/">Emma Johnson</a>, 2020, 6-1, C, Heritage Christian</strong> Johnson uses her height exceptionally well while remaining in control, anticipating the play well and blocking shots regularly. She rarely gets caught off her feet by fakes or being overaggressive, which allows her to affect driving lanes and alter shots without fouling. The senior is averaging six blocks and 3.3 steals per game, and has also made two of the six 3-point shots she has attempted. At 6-foot-1, Johnson has been a double-digit rebounder in the 2A/1A Mile High League for the past two years so why should her senior season be any different? So far in ’19-20, Johnson is averaging 15.7 rebounds and 19.7 points a game and has led the Eagles to a 3-0 start. &nbsp; [caption id="attachment_96833" align="alignright" width="239"] <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/mikenzie-jones/">Mikenzie Jones</a>[/caption] <strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/mikenzie-jones/">Mikenzie Jones</a>, 2022, 6-1, F, Vista PEAK</strong> The Vista PEAK Bison are off to a 6-0 start and have designs on a deep playoff run in 2019-20. Much of that success is the result of the team’s all-around talent and athleticism, and Jones is right at the heart of that strength. Standing just over six feet tall, Jones is a force in the paint. She is averaging 4.4 blocks per game and is pulling down 6.8 boards a night. Jones, who is the No. 5-ranked sophomore in the PGH Colorado player rankings, is also scoring 10.8 point per game for the unbeaten Bison and is averaging 1.4 assists and 1.6 steals a night. &nbsp; <strong>Alicia Lest, 2021, 6-0, F, Pueblo Central</strong> The Pueblo Central Wildcats have played eight games already and are sitting on a 2-6 record. Lest, a multi-sport athlete, is holding it down in the post as the Wildcats find their way. Currently averaging 4.3 blocks per game, Lest is also putting up 5.3 rebounds and an even eight points a night while continuing to set the tone on defense. She has scored eight points a night and averages 2.6 steals a game. &nbsp; <h5><span style="color: #3366ff;font-size: 18pt"><strong>Other notable blocks leaders</strong></span></h5> <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/selena-vargas/">Selena Vargas</a>, 2020, Cheyenne Mountain: 4.2 bpg Hadleigh Richardson, 2022, Rampart: 3.7 bpg Caroline Lindahl, 2020, Peetz: 2.7 bpg Hayden Mayo, 2020, La Junta: 3.3 bpg Cortney Arrasmith, 2020, The Vanguard: 3.0 bpg <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/cecilia-aanerud/">Cecilia Aanerud</a>, 2021, Holy Family: 2.8 bpg <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/sam-crispe/">Sam Crispe</a>, 2022, Arapahoe: 2.8 bpg Torrai Logan, 2023, Mitchell: 2.8 bpg Amelia Knaysi, 2022, Valor Christian: 2.8 bpg <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/raegan-beers/">Raegan Beers</a>, 2022, Valor Christian: 2.8 bpg <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/courtney-wristen/">Courtney Wristen</a>, 2021, Broomfield: 2.7 bpg <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/mikylah-espinosa/">Mikylah Espinosa</a>, 2022, The Academy: 2.7 bpg Kenzie Kraich, 2021, Brush: 2.6 bpg <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/maya-whiteside/">Maya Whiteside</a>, 2021, George Washington: 2.5 bpg <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/kailey-page/">Kailey Page</a>, 2022, Fairview: 2.4 bpg Trinity Grant, 2020, Falcon: 2.4 bpg Lilly Johnson, 202, Englewood: 2.4 bpg