Lock Down Defenders in the 2024 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this article we look at 2024s who got the job done on the defensive end this past season. These players can get buckets, but they pride themselves on playing on the defensive side of the ball as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='331713' first='Nia' last='Blocton'] is a rim protector and you might want to think twice about going to the rim when she is anchoring the middle.  Blocton can switch a screen and cover guards as well as  go toe to toe against other power forwards and centers. Roundtree averaged close to one block per game </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='217663' first='Sydney' last='Roundtree'] was one of the top lock down defenders in the State and had the ability to defend 4 or 5 positions.&nbsp; In the State tournament,&nbsp; Roundtree matched up against some of the top point guards in the 2024 class. &nbsp; Roundtree is one of the most versatile defenders in the 2024 class.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='349387' first='Tatiana' last='Matthews'] has been a force on the defense to be in for years. She's one of the best in the state, not only offense, but also in defense, she brings the same characteristics to the defensive side that she does for the offensive side, quickness, speed, good anticipation, quick hands, quick feet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='374464' first='Ansley' last='Hicks'] was a lock down defender last season and one of the best overall defenders.&nbsp; Hicks has a lot of athleticism,&nbsp; speed, and the mental attitude to be a lock down defender.&nbsp; Hicks blocks shots from the guard position and also can get steals on the ball as well as in the passing lanes.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='470454' first='Asya' last='Jones'] Bishop Snyder is another aggressive lock down defender.&nbsp; She has always put pressure on the ball handler and gets steals as a result. Jones was one of the top players in the State with steals.&nbsp; This past season,&nbsp; Jones averaged 5.6 steals per game while adding more to her offensive game. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='349286' first='Jonise' last='Barcene'] has always been a pest on the defensive end and after returning to the courts her senior year, Barcene still emphasized playing defense. Barcene ended up with 3.1 steals per game and probably creating a lot more. Barcene is quick and gets after it. She was a recent standout in the Richardson Memorial Showcase where she had all the tools out of the bag: the drive to the basket, the three point shot, and of course the lockdown defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='768516' first='Kourtney' last='Johnson'] was also a very good lock down defender this past season.&nbsp; She was one of the top&nbsp; leaders in the District in steals, averaging 2.9 steals per game.&nbsp; Johnson puts pressure on the ball and she was one of the best at chasing down a player in transition and creating a turnover.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='556581' first='Aniyah' last='Campbell'] played very well and was another player who protected the middle of the defense. Campbell was a good one on one defender, but also played well on the helpside. Campbell rebounded well and was a solid shot blocker, averaging close to 1 block per game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->