Returning Steals Leaders
Defense is essential in the game of basketball. The top defenders love to get steals and make life tough for opponents arguably more than they like to score. There are a number of players returning who were able to get…
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Continue ReadingDefense is essential in the game of basketball. The top defenders love to get steals and make life tough for opponents arguably more than they like to score. There are a number of players returning who were able to get a ton of steals last season. Let’s take a look at some of the returning players who led in steals a season ago.
Emily Alers-Gonzalez, Newark East Side, Sr. – Alers-Gonzalez was second in the state last year with 6.7 steals per game. She finished with 154 steals in 23 games played. She had double-digit steal performance in five games last season, with her season-best coming against Benedictine where she totaled 16 steals. Alers-Gonzalez is pesky on defense and she looks to have similar results in her senior season.
Saniah Caldwell Saniah Caldwell 5'8" | PG Saddle River Day | 2022 State #52 Nation NJ , Saddle River Day, Jr. – Caldwell was extremely consistent on the defensive end last season. She finished third in the Garden State in steals, averaging 6.1 per game. She played in 26 games and had 159 steals overall. Her top defensive performances came in wins over East Orange and Emerson Boro where she had 10 steals in each game. Caldwell is a savvy guard and a top all-around player in the state.
Jashanti Horace, Penns Grove, Sr. – Horace didn’t play a full season but still averaged 5.6 steals per game in her junior year. As much damage as she did on offense and on the boards, Horace put a ton of pressure on the opposition with her defense. Her top performances in steals came against Overbrook (12) and Paulsboro (10).
Tia Furbush, Schalick, Sr. – Furbush made 128 steals in 23 games, good for 5.6 steals per game. She had a 15-steal outing in Schalick’s win over Cumberland last season. Furbush will look to continue her level of consistency heading into her senior year.
Hannah Hidalgo Hannah Hidalgo 5'7" | PG Paul VI | 2023 State NJ , Paul VI, So. – Hidalgo finished with 137 steals in 25 games, averaging 5.4 steals per game. She was consistent on the defensive end for a very gritty Paul VI squad. Hidalgo reached double-digit steal performances in two games, wins over Camden Catholic and Timber Creek where she had 12 and 10 steals, respectively.