Top 5 Columbus City League Senior Defensive Guards

Mark Francis Jr.

November 19, 2020 @ 04:45 PM

Being seen as a good defender can give fans a skewed opinion of players at times, with some believing that if a player is a lockdown defender then that player’s offensive game is limited, which is not always the case and this list will be evident of it. On the opposite side, being a lockdown defender means you can frustrate offensive players and make them do uncharacteristic type things. The players that are included on this list can not only go out and take an opposing player to his limits, but some of them are also tasked with running their team as well. 5. [player_tooltip player_id="1041815" first="Leon" last="Douglas"]- Walnut Ridge: The quintessential three-and-D player, Douglass has blossomed into a wonderful defender now that he is in his senior season. Being at a school like Walnut Ridge which has always prided themselves on developing tough minded young players has only helped him become better at defending. “Scotty,” as he is called by some people, can sit in the chair and use his long arms to deflect passes and steal the ball away from other guards. Not the strongest player around but his strength is adequate enough that he does not get pushed around by thicker built guards. 4. Mehki Jarrett- Mifflin: The shortest young man on this list but he plays with the biggest heart of anyone else on this list. Jarrett plays the passing lanes to perfection, anticipating cross court passes and breaking away from his man to get the steal. In one-on-one situations, Jarrett holds up just fine by using his low center of gravity and strong lower body to bother ball handlers. He plays smart defensively and stays in front of ball handlers, not allowing them to turn the corner and attack the basket. Jarrett is a bulldog wrapped in a Mifflin Puncher jersey and one of the best defensive point guards in the Columbus City League. 3. Deon Thorpe- Eastmoor Academy: A strong upper body and the ability to take another point guard straight up, one-on-one, Thorpe is as tough as they get in the Columbus City League. Deon is able to force bad shots from other guards because of his ability to stay in front of his man and not let them to the hoop. Thorpe can play physically because of his strength and can play with finesse and quickness because of how quick he is moving side-to-side. He is part of a backcourt that grew exponentially last season and it could carry over into this season. 2. [player_tooltip player_id="1078681" first="Keshawn" last="Harris"]- Independence: The best defender in the Columbus City League south, Harris is good at blending his power with his quick hands to cause other guards fits while being guarded by him. The best charge taker the Columbus City League has ever seen, Harris can bait drivers and then uses his high IQ to slide in front of them and cause charges. Keshawn also steals the ball at a high rate, with strong hands combined with the understanding of where ball handlers are going to go. 1. Jaylon Jackson- Centennial: The best perimeter defender in his class, Jackson is the one player who can take the best perimeter player from the opposing team and follow them around the entire game. Jackson is built like a house, stout and sturdy with amazingly quick hands and the ability to not let anyone around him. He does not jump the highest to block shots but it is also hard to block shots when no one gets shots off on you. His commitment and dedication to defense is second to none and will allow him to flourish at the next level.