Quick Hands team: Class of 21 top steal leaders

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Eric Pannell

March 25, 2020 @ 12:00 PM

What an amazing junior class of defensive talent, Norman’s sensational ’21 product [player_tooltip player_id="30552" first="Kelbie" last="Washington"] is an impossible matchup for most the squares off against. Looking at Locust Grove Pirates, this team has three amazing class of 21 steal leaders, among the best in Oklahoma are Kaitlynn Spradlin, [player_tooltip player_id="151340" first="Madi" last="Smith"], and Madison Hunt, all players with great hands that move their feet well, leading them to a trio of the best defensive players in the OK. [player_tooltip player_id="30552" first="Kelbie" last="Washington"], 5-7, G, 2021, Norman @kelw35 Washington, one of the most well rounded and talented players, no surprise his great footwork and athletic skills come into play in this category as well and set her apart as one of best of the best defensively in Oklahoma. Washington is a player that swiped 103 steals and averaged 4.5 spg in 23 games with 56 forced turnovers. Kaitlynn Spradlin, 5-5, G 2021, Locust Grove Just a ferocious defender for a great defensive team at Locust Grove, Spradlin was the team leader for steals and among the state leaders with 103 steals for a 3.6 per game average and forced 70 turnovers. One of those players primed for a great senior campaign and offseason. Ashlynn Berry, 5-3, G, 2021, Keys (Park Hill) @ashlynn_berry11 Berry was a one of a kind defensive standout for Keys High in 2019-20 proving just how quick her hands were, she posted 90 steals for a 3.3 per game average and forced a very impressive 66 turnovers. We could see Berry being a state leader again next year as she really has some great footwork also on defense. [player_tooltip player_id="151340" first="Madi" last="Smith"],5-7,G,2021, Locust Grove Madi was a huge part of one of the states best and toughest teams to face this past season and she was one of those one on one match ups that opponents dreaded to face. Smith is a player that has the ability to make plays again and again for the defense. Smith who had 92 steals, averaged 3.2 per contest and was among the state leaders in the category. Liberty Hill, G, 2021, Hoops for Christ Hill, a player that was a fine defender for Hoops for Christ, based out of Oklahoma City, Hill was a quick hands player that was able to force 77 turnovers and had 55 steals in 20 games as a key guard for Hoops for Christ, plus when you factor she did that in just 20 games it makes it even more impressive. Madison Hunt, 2021, Locust Grove Hunt, part of a swarming defensive bunch at Locust Grove that really gets after it and makes it tough on opposing guards could be the unsung hero of the defense for Locust Grove and racked up 64 steals and 2.2 per game and was a key part of a defense that was among Oklahoma’s elite groups to face in 2019-20.