New York Pre-Season Defensive POY Watchlist Part II

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> Today, we will look at candidates in the state of New York that have a chance at winning Defensive Player of the Year for this upcoming season in a two part series. Let's take a look in no particular order.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Arly Zapota, Freshmen, Nazareth</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">6'3 Center</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Averaged 7 Rebounds, 1 Steal Per Game</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zapota played her 8th grade season on the varsity squad for Nazareth and made an immediate impact on the both ends of the floor averaging 8 points, 7 rebounds, and almost 1 steal and block per game. Zapota has size and athleticism to be anchor for a team on defense with her size and range. If she can add the ability to guard any position on the floor and become an imposing rim protector, there's no limit on how good. One to watch for the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='860000' first='Kayla' last='Gilmore'], Junior, Holy Cross</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5'10 Point Guard </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Averaged 6 Rebounds, 6 Steals Per Game</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gilmore is a physical guard. Tough, competitive, and relentless. She dominated on the perimeter averaging 6 steals per game and making quick work in transition. Good physicality to her game, footwork, and awareness to be a shutdown defender in one on one matchups. She's a force in the paint tracking down loose balls and looking to push the pace in the open court. Can push through screens and take away passing lanes with her quickness. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='878914' first='Sofia' last='Johanson'], Sophomore, Cobble Hill</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">6'0 Wing</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Averaged 8 Rebounds, 1 Steal, 3 Blocks Per Game</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johanson had a productive freshmen season and is poised to take on an expanded role within the defense. She's an athletic wing with good size and physicality. She was very active creating disruption last season and will be called upon to take her game to the next level this season with a deep, talented roster at Cobble Hill. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='414927' first='Kyla' last='Hayes'], Junior, Cardinal O'Hara</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">6'0 Wing</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Averaged 9 Rebounds, 3 Steals, 1 Blocks Per Game</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hayes comes in the mold of several other athletic wings in the state who can defend with their versatility and leave their stamp on the game. That's exactly what Hayes did last season. Showed the ability to guard multiple positions, clean up on the glass, and altering and contesting shots. Has elite footwork to be a shutdown defender and create havoc at all levels in the passing lanes. Loves to run on the break and turn defense into offense. She will have an expanded role this season and that should elevate her game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='860014' first='Ryan' last='Currier'], Junior, Kings Park </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">6'3 Center</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Averaged 9 Rebounds, 1 Steals, 4 Blocks Per Game</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Currier has good size, skill, and defensive instincts and utilizes it to her advantage. She dominates in the paint and anchors her team in all defensive assignments. It's hard to ignore her size, but what stands out is her ability to read the play and make a play to help her team win. Footwork, power, and athleticism are a question mark, but if she can put it all together, I think she has a chance to be really good.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->