Sticky Fingers: TN’s Top Defensive Disruptors Return This Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><br>USE CODE "tinnon30" FOR 30% OFF YOUR FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>O is the show. D is the key. Defense wins championships. We have heard these words throughout our entire lives, yet some people don't adhere to them. I wanted to do a little research to find out what girls took the defensive side of the ball seriously. See, in this game, if you are a solid two-way player, you can be an absolute dawg. A coach wouldn't take you off the floor because you produce. If you can shut down or neutralize an opponent, not only will you get more playing time, but you give your team more of an edge as you create extra possessions for your club.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even though there isn't a particular site that records all stats for the state of Tennessee, according to MaxPreps, we have some young ladies who get after it on the defensive end. Girls who create turnovers by jumping lanes and poking balls loose. These girls are great on-ball defenders and play in the gaps to jump passing lanes. Either way, just know when they are on the floor and pressure is applied, these girls are right at the forefront getting steals that lead to easy transition buckets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I wanted to take a look back at some kids who were terrorizing the hardwoods last season. With the season right around the corner, all these girls are coming back looking to capitalize on this past year's success. Here are some kids who are primed and ready to get after it this upcoming year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1244717"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab13a156607f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Solid ballplayer who has those sticky fingers. Aggressive kid who has active hands and feet. Led the state in steals last year, averaging 8.6 spg. A kid who can get in a stance and defend; she will look to bring her defensive abilities back into the fold for her senior year. Keep an eye on this young lady as she looks to build upon her success from this past season.<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["822274"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab13a15660e7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A kid who is always anticipating. In this stance, she is reading and reacting, covering gaps extremely well. That internal clock is ticking, and when she sees a play develop, she strikes, eliminating the other team's possession. She is off to the races as her squad moves towards getting a transition bucket. She is a solid defender who creates havoc for her club. Averaging 6.4 spg, she will look to bring that same type of production into this season. Look for her to have an awesome year and help her club capture even more wins.<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["821873"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab13a1566136"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An absolute dawg. She will have her pick of the litter as she has multiple Power 4 offers. A shifty guard who is dynamic on both ends of the floor, she is a great on-ball defender who creates chaos. Quick hands, displays excellent footwork; she is going to pick up her opponent full court and terrorize them the entire time. She is a heady ballplayer who plays with speed. She gets after it, and her creating turnovers leads to extra possessions for her team. She's a double-digit scoring threat who checks so many boxes on the stats sheet. She's a machine. Averaging 6.2 spg, look for those numbers to rise as she shows everyone she's that girl. Keep tabs on this young lady because she will be playing on TV next season.<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1155021"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab13a15661ef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A player who just gets after it, she is a stealthy defender who takes calculated risks. Playing with such speed and athleticism, she will force turnovers that lead to easy buckets the other way. She has the quickness to strike and poke balls loose. She baits her opponents into places where she wants them to go, and then it's off to the races. She plays low to the ground. Has quick hips that enable her to turn and recover quickly. She has a knack for being around the basketball. A Miss Tennessee nominee, expect her to come out of the gates strong, with something to prove. She is going to put up the points and have the assist numbers, but you better believe she will also rank high in the steals category. Averaging 5.2 spg this past season, look for those numbers to increase significantly. A hungry kid who puts on a show every time she steps onto the floor.<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->