TN’s Best Rim Protectors as we Come Down the Stretch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I love covering defensive stats because I always see the cream of the crop rise to the top. Scoring averages can be misleading....but defensive numbers and rebounding numbers tend to project well at the next level. To hoop head, a deep dive into the defensive numbers can reveal a lot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='636393' first='Ava' last='Jones']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"White County","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"When you love the game, one of the most enjoyable aspects is watching a player develop.  Watching a kid work.  Hearing the stories of the hours they put in.  [player_tooltip player_id='636393' first='Ava' last='Jones'] is that kid.  The 6'3 wing has truly had a breakout year as she's helped lead White County to an undefeated mark halfway through the season.  Averaging 2.6 blocks per game, Jones is a game changer on the defensive end.  Knowing you have a 6'3 rim protector behind you in the paint lets your wings take more risks defensively.  Jones also has the athleticism to switch 1-5, bend her knees and stay in front of just about anyone.  She's a college level defender right now.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["636395"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Basically everything that can be said about [player_tooltip player_id='636393' first='Ava' last='Jones'] can also be said about Story.  The 2026 athletic prodigy has really begun to put all of her tools together.  She's averaging career highs across the board, and currently in the top 6 in the state in blocks.  She's also a high level deflection artist, and really changes how Davey Crocket defends.  Story is also 16 points and 9 rebounds.  She a terrific story of what it takes to go from u0022goodu0022 to u0022great.u0022","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["513229"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"When you watch Bartlett play, it's easy for Williams to fly under the radar (even though she's 6'2.  The post has been a terrific rim protector for Bartlett all season, and she's flourished in that defensive role.  The best teams tend to give their players specific roles to play....and then encourage their players to be a star in that role.  Williams has starred in her defensive role, and that's in part what has Bartlett on tract to make a return trip to the glass house.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["576953"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"I've enjoyed covering Wilson all season.  Generally, I've covered her due to her offensive effectiveness.  The 6'1 senior post is averaging 18 points and 12 rebounds on 55% shooting from the field.  Wilson owns the pain on offense.rnrnAnd this season, she's done the same on the defensive end.  She's averaging two blocks a game to go along with some of the best offensive stats of any post player in the state.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["290940"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"The 6'1 senior post has quietly put together one of the best statistical seasons in the state that no one is talking about.  Not only is she averaging a dominant double double:  13 points and 13 rebounds on high efficiently numbers.  She's also leading the state averaging five blocks per game (to go along with 2.5 steals).  Her defensive impact has been off the charts.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["409023"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Walls, a 2025 junior, is playing her fourth season of varsity basketball, and is giving a dominant 23-24 season.  While only standing 5'11, she's still averaging 2 blocks a game to go with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists.  Walls a force on both ends of the floor for Mount Pisgah.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["821765"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"I just wonder is '27 Braden can keep this up!  Right now, she's averaging close to 2 blocks per game.  She's giving similar impacts in steals and defections.  She's been a defensive nightmare for opponents, and its certainly showing up in the box score.  She's had a two triple doubles with another near quadruple double.  Braden's length and athleticism give her a chance to be SPECIAL....and these defensive stats help show that.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["409042"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"I had my first real opportunity to watch Akins over the Christmas break, and I came away incredibly impressed.  She's a tremendous two way player that is college ready right now (on both ends of the ball).  Her block stats aren't through the roof, but if you watch, you see that her defensive energy also deters a lot of shots...which is really hard to measure.  Akins is a total game changer.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":8,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6598251824c6b"} /-->