Top 10 Returning Steals Leaders in Group 1

Offense may come and go but defense is forever! And you know what they say… defense wins championships! These hoopers were locked in from start to finish last season and look to continue to pick pockets and show off their defensive prowess.   [player_tooltip player_id='871253' first='Tiyanna' last='Hillman'] | Shabazz   147 steals in 24 games; 6.1 spg   The state leader in all of Group 1 (in spg avg with a min. 24 games), Tiyanna went on a tear last season as a sophomore. She recorded double-digit steals in eight games, seven of those being part of a double-double performance and the other part of a ferocious triple-double (30 points, 10 assists, 13 steals). She's absolutely relentless in her pursuit of the ball and defends 94-feet, keeping active hands from the inbound pass!   [player_tooltip player_id='965032' first='Ericka' last='Augustin-Lawson'] | American History   153 steals in 25 games; 6.1 spg   Ericka clocks in at #2 in all of Group 1, just barely behind former teammate [player_tooltip player_id='871253' first='Tiyanna' last='Hillman'] (6.12 spg to Tiyanna's 6.125 spg). With six games in double-digit steals (five of which were a part of double-double performances), Ericka looks to continue wreaking havoc and applying pressure in Year 3. She recorded a career-high 12 steals in just her third game as a sophomore, as American History blew out Technology 46-6. She was relentless and disruptive as she picked apart the offense play after play. Look for more of the same this winter!   [player_tooltip player_id='414402' first='Jessica' last='Devine'] | Middlesex   176 steals in 31 games; 5.7 spg   For the second consecutive season, Jess has emerged as the leader in total steals for Group 1. In fact, she even upped her total from 172 steals as a sophomore to 176 as a junior. Consistently heralded as one of the scrappiest defenders in the state year after year, she was ultra impressive as a junior, recording five games in double-digit steals, one being part of a triple-double performance and the other a QUADRUPLE-DOUBLE (24 points, 10 rebounds, 15 assists, 10 steals against Koinonia). She is sure to eclipse 500 steals for her career this season and may even do so by mid-January! Jess doesn't shy away from competition and has no problems putting the clamps on just about anybody!   [player_tooltip player_id='414417' first='Paradise' last='Fisher'] | University   155 steals in 30 games; 5.2 spg   Paradise is one of the best two-way guards in the state regardless of Class. Her junior year was her best yet, recording career-best totals in every statistical category across the board. She got the job done on defense against some difficult opponents, including 10 steals against Lake Minneola (FL), 10 steals against Newark Academy and 10 steals combined in two meetings against powerhouse Montclair Immaculate. Her timing is excellent, swiping steals at a furious pace without getting herself in foul trouble. With 353 steals to her name, she has a terrific shot at eclipsing 500 for her career before it's all said and done in March.   [player_tooltip player_id='879788' first='Taylor' last='Hough'] | Kittatinny   135 steals in 26 games; 5.2 spg   Taylor turned up the heat on defense last season, doubling her production from her sophomore year and becoming a full on cookie monster! She recorded a career-best 12 steals against Sussex Tech, part of a 16-point, 12-steal performance. It was evident that big things were going to happen when she opened up the season with 11 steals in a blowout win against Lenape Valley. The multi-sport stud looks to take her game to even greater heights when her senior campaigns kicks off next month!   [player_tooltip player_id='414430' first='Allie' last='Shenloogian'] | Park Ridge   135 steals in 29 games; 4.7 spg   As the seasons pass, Allie gets better and better on defense. She continues to up her production and totals, with her junior year being her best thus far. She commits to playing hard-nosed, scrappy D and her numbers prove it. In five games, she recorded at least eight steals, including a stretch of three out of four games. In addition to possibly eclipsing 2,000 points, she also has a possibility to reach 500 steals for her career before it's all said and done.   [player_tooltip player_id='871532' first='Ashiyah' last='Holliman'] | American History   107 steals in 24 games; 4.5 spg   American History has a very tenacious backcourt in Ericka Lawson & [player_tooltip player_id='871532' first='Ashiyah' last='Holliman']. The clamps were defined applied, with Ashiyah even notching a career-high 11 steals in the process. She opened up her sophomore season swiping an average of just under 9 steals in the first three games! Talk about ready for action! With active hands and a great eye for the ball, there's a real chance she eclipses 300 steals for her career come the end of February.   [player_tooltip player_id='414340' first='Macie' last='McCracken'] | Wildwood   140 steals in 31 steals; 4.5 spg   Not only is she one of the state's most prolific scorers, she's also one of the most committed defenders. She totaled 100+ steals in consecutive seasons and enters her senior season with 332 cookies to her name. She put on a defensive clinic in games again Salem Tech and Clearview, notching 10 steals in both contests (matching a career-high). She may end up as a member of both the 2,000 Point Club and 500 Steals Club come February/March.   [player_tooltip player_id='414404' first='Vanessa' last='Kohler'] | Highland Park   106 steals in 26 games; 4.1 spg   Vanessa showed off her defensive skills against some really tough teams last season as a junior. 6 steals against Manville, 7 against Metuchen, 5 against Westfield, 6 against North Brunswick, etc. She had it going on all winter long, totaling triple-digit steals for the first time in her high school career. With her senior campaign ahead, she may hit double-digit steals in a singular game for the first time, getting dangerously close last season with a career-best 9 steals against South Amboy.   [player_tooltip player_id='525475' first='Kimi' last='Sayson'] | Shore   118 steals in 30 games; 3.9 spg   "Speedy Sayson" or "Sneaky Sayson" as I like to call her! Both apply because of her quickly she can creep up and swipe steals when players least expect it! She never stops working and is constantly scanning to come away with the ball and ignite the fast break. Her ability to lock down the ball-handler can really turn the tide of any game and swing the momentum back in Shore's favor, as we saw many times last season.

Offense may come and go but defense is forever! And you know what they say… defense wins championships! These hoopers were locked in from start to finish last season and look to continue to pick pockets and show off their defensive prowess.