Colorado’s top upperclassmen perimeter defenders
When it comes to measuring defensive efficiency, I’m a big believer in advanced metrics. Numbers don’t lie, and they are a great way to determine the players who truly shut down the opposition. Such numbers aren’t typically available at the…
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Continue ReadingWhen it comes to measuring defensive efficiency, I’m a big believer in advanced metrics. Numbers don’t lie, and they are a great way to determine the players who truly shut down the opposition. Such numbers aren’t typically available at the high school level, so determining a group of the state’s top defenders comes down to live evaluation, while also leaning on the thoughts of numerous members of the basketball community who see these players on a daily basis.
With that, we’ve compiled a list of some of the top junior and senior perimeter defenders in Colorado, players who really get after it and have the ability to change the course of games based on the pressure they apply on the defensive end.
Think there are players we missed? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Calvin Fugett Jr., 6-1 junior, George Washington
Long, quick and tough, few if any in the state guard the ball better than Fugett. His ability to defend multiple perimeter positions has helped him already garner mid-major Division I interest. He has the versatility to get back and disrupt transition offense or be a stopper in the half court.
CJ Jennings, 6-2 junior, Sierra
Jennings typically always draws the assignment of the opposing team’s best offensive player and often meets the challenge. He’s slightly undersized but makes up for that with a tenacious streak that doesn’t allow opposing ball-handlers to rest.
Eli Sullivan, 6-2 senior, Longmont
Everything starts with defense for the Class 4A power, and Sullivan keys that effort with a dose of toughness that is hard to find. His never-back-down mentality helps him lock up more athletic guards.
Jervae Robinson, 6-2 senior, Overland
Robinson has seen his stock rise into Division I territory of late because of strong offensive performances at places like the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas, but many of the opportunities he gets on that end of the floor are predicated by the momentum he creates with his attacking defensive style that helps create turnovers and get the Trailblazers out in transition.
Monroe Porter, 6-3 senior, Legend
Porter has made a habit out of changing the course of games with his defense. He did it in the season-opener against Denver East, coming up with a pair of huge second-half steals that turned into transition layups that helped turn the tide in eventual Legend victory. He always has his hands in the passing lanes and plays with a toughness that will serve him well at Division II Western State next season.
LaDarius Thomas, 6-1 senior, Aurora Central
One of the top unsigned senior guards in Colorado, Thomas is a relentless defender of opposing point guards. He has had no fewer than two steals in any game this season, and he creates countless other turnovers — 5-second calls, wayward passes, etc. — thanks to the hounding pressure he applies to the ball. Having backcourt mate Elijah Coleman produce similar results is a big reason why the Trojans are 7-3 as they near EMAC play.
Justinian Jessup, 6-5 senior, Longmont
The Boise State-bound wing is averaging 3.4 steals per game this season, using his length and quickness to disrupt passing lanes and create turnovers. But Jessup’s biggest tool on the defensive end is his awareness, constantly putting himself in the right position to make plays.
Joe Golter, 6-1 junior, Holy Family
Golter takes the toughness developed on the football field and applies it to the defensive end of the basketball court. Has a tenacious streak and takes his defensive assignments personal.
Corey Seng, 6-4 junior, ThunderRidge
Seng may be 6-4, but he has the wingspan of a player 6-6 or taller. He uses that to his advantage on the defensive end, disrupting passing lanes and contesting perimeter jump shots effectively. Seng has a great even-keeled temperament that helps him find consistency on the defensive end.
Sekou Cisse, 6-4 senior, Far Northeast Warriors
The Warriors thrive on their defensive intensity, forcing opponents into mistakes that can turn into easy offense the other way. At the center of that effort is Cisse, a strong, tough-minded guard who can guard almost any position on the court and cause fits.
Deron Harrell, 6-3 senior, Denver East
The Angels’ leading scorer is also a highly athletic defender whose bursts of speeds can keep him in lock-step with nearly an ball-handler thrown at him. Very tough to beat in transition. Has a great backcourt defensive partner in junior Joe Abiakam. Together the two make life difficult on opposing guards.
Emmanuel Burleson, 6-0 junior, Doherty
Doherty hasn’t become one of Colorado’s most surprising 5A teams without stingy efforts on the defensive end. Burleson has been a key under-the-radar cog for the Spartans, hounding opposing ball-handlers into mistakes and wayward shots. Burleson has good quickness and athleticism that helps him play bigger than his size.
Noah Baldwin, 6-1 senior, Windsor
Baldwin leads all big-school players with 4.2 steals per game, a figure that included a 10-steal effort in a rout of Brighton earlier this year. Baldwin has fundamentally sound footwork that helps him cut off ball-handlers trying to get to their spots, making it difficult for opponents to initiate offense.
Elijah Blake, 6-2 junior, Rangeview
Blake is one of the players who does a little bit of everything for the 7-0 Raiders. He averages 2.4 steals and 1.0 blocks per game, a key cog in Rangeview’s ability to turn defensive stops into offense on the other end. Blake is a strong and compact 6-2 with good burst and decent athleticism. He’s one of Colorado’s top all-around juniors.