Shutdown Defenders: ND & SD

Everyone loves a shutdown defender! In this article, we are looking at versatile, intense, and athletic defenders that can get the job done. We have a mix of North Dakota and South players. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/TopPerformers.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1244903" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/TopPerformers-300x187.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="187" /></a> Read below to find out who made the list... <h3>Alphabetically here are the Shutdown Defenders:</h3> 5’11 G [player_tooltip player_id="1159546" first="Adam" last="Bitz"] || Valley City || ND Attack || 2022 He is a fine athlete and an aggressive backcourt player. Bitz is an unfaltering on-ball defender with great enthusiasm. He puts a good amount of ball pressure on the offender and he has the quick feet to stay with them. Adam is a tireless worker who is constantly looking to make impact plays. He forces his fair share of turnovers as well. Look for this Hi-Liner to come into his senior season ready to compete. 5’10 G [player_tooltip player_id="1133066" first="Britton" last="Cranston"] || Dickinson || SD Attack || 2022 He will be the best perimeter defender for the Midgets. Britton is a disturbing defender with great quickness. He really gets after it defensively. His hands are always active and he never backs down no matter who he is matched up with. This high-energy player will bring it every game in the WDA during his senior season. 6’1 PG [player_tooltip player_id="1138775" first="Caden" last="Kappes"] || Wahpeton || 2023 A mature, clever, and reliable PG. Kappes will be tasked with matching up on some of the best guards in the EDC this coming year. This excellent on-ball defender will be ready and willing at the request of coach Ralph. Kappes is also a solid rebounder that helps limit the opposing team’s possessions. I expect him to be the lead guard for the Huskies next season. 6’4 SG [player_tooltip player_id="812232" first="Connor" last="Trahan"] || Bismarck Century || ECI || 2022 His length makes him a versatile and flexible defender. This summer he has been able to guard 1-5 positions for ECI. His mobility is tough on bigger and slower forwards. Trahan’s size and long arms give problems to smaller guards on the outside. With his long arms and high hands, he can significantly lower shooters’ vision and shooting percentage. The Patriot will have a big senior season for the favorites in the WDA. 5’11 G [player_tooltip player_id="1138685" first="Cruz" last="Hernandez"] || Hankinson || ECI || 2023 He has been the best defender for the ECI 16U Prospects this summer. Cruz is a nasty on-ball defender that never relents. He is a spark plug and a constant pest of the ball-handler. Cruz plays Class-B in high school ball and this summer he has shown that he can compete with high-level athletes. Look for him to be one of the top-notch defenders in Region-1 in the coming year. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/DD-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1153444" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/DD-2-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a> 6’3 SG [player_tooltip player_id="1050246" first="Darik" last="Dissette"] || Minot || ND Attack || 2023 With his strength, athleticism, versatility, and toughness Darik can guard 1-5. During the high school season, I was impressed with his hustle and how hard he worked to get back on defense which resulted in tips and turnovers. Darik has explosive footwork that helps help turn ballhandlers. He is a great communicator that is always talking. Darik is great at blocking and contesting shots. I was also impressed with his help-side defense this past season. Darik is excelling this summer in AAU as well. 5’8 G Dalen Engg || Drake/Anamoose || 2022 He is a solid all-around defender that can get the job done on the ball and while helping off the ball. Dalen has a tremendous work ethic that is unmatched. Engg is a natural defender that has a knack for shutting people down. This quick and energetic Raider will be looking to have a big senior season. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1244719" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/marshall2-crop-820x538-1627127633-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> 6’0 [player_tooltip player_id="968165" first="Dylan" last="Marshall"] || White River || SD Attack || 2022 This kid will match up and lockdown anyone that his coach asks. Dylan is a very physical and tough guard. He takes pride in his on-ball defense and he is a gritty kid that will use his body to keep guys in front. With his strength, he can body up and bump players from cutting in front of him. Marshall is an overall stud defender that has excelled this summer with SD Attack. Expect him to keep things going this winter for White River. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1244397" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/foster-2-crop-909x597-1627096220-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> 6’5 F [player_tooltip player_id="1050250" first="Erik" last="Foster"] || Rugby || ND Attack || 2023 He has been battling in the paint all summer against bigger posts. Foster never backs down and he has done a great job limiting some big-time players in AAU ball. His long arms aid him in contesting shots. He is also quick enough to guard wings on the outside. Erik has a nose for the ball which leads him to get deflections and tips. I expect him to have a huge year for Rugby this next season. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Kaden-Year-Myles-Barnette.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1179919" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Kaden-Year-Myles-Barnette-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a> 6’4 SF [player_tooltip player_id="963748" first="Kaden" last="Year"] || Sioux Falls Jefferson || SD Attack || 2023 His height and long arms make him a problematic defender. He contests shots and closes down passing lanes. Kaden is on the brink of being 6’5 and who knows, he could keep shooting up. Year is athletic and he can match up with backcourt players on the wing. His length and athletic ability allow him to keep players in front but also challenge them with his long arms. Kaden is a versatile and productive player, to say the least. 6’3 G [player_tooltip player_id="1162332" first="Matthew" last="Selensky"] || Bismarck St. Mary's || ND Attack || 2023 He has been the best defender this spring/summer for ND Attack 16U Blue. Selensky is an all-around player on the defensive side of the ball. He is flexible and versatile with the ability to guard inside and outside. This young Saint has a bright future in Bismarck with a great cast of players around him. Look for Matthew to have a solid junior season. 6’5 SG [player_tooltip player_id="1123711" first="Max" last="McQuillan"] || Kindred || 2022 This big guard is a playmaker that knows how to win. He showed this in the playoffs last year when the Vikings won the B State Title. His length is very troublesome for opposing guards. There are very few wings with his length and strength. Max has a long wingspan that deters guards from making passes around him. He can also guard in the post when needed. McQuillan is an overall solid defender that will be ready to defend the crown. 6’1 G Nic Marshall || White River || SD Attack || 2024 Playing defense must run in the family because his older brother is on this list as well. The young Marshall is ultra-quick that gives 100% on defense. He excels at keeping his man in front of him and out of the lane. Nic is a tough and lively prospect. Look for this youngster to only improve upon his already given status as a shutdown defender. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1244737" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/10/IMG-6944-crop-1125x739-1627129965-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> 6’1 G [player_tooltip player_id="963787" first="Randy" last="Rosenquist"] || Dakota Valley || Pentagon Schoolers || 2023 This guard is full of hustle and bustle. Randy is always sprinting up and down the hardwood and in the half-court, he is an excellent help defender. This summer Rosenquist is leading his Schooler squad with 4.5 steals per game. This is because Randy is an excellent on-ball defender with quick hands and he anticipates passes when off the ball. Rosenquist had his nose in every critical defensive play this summer for the Schoolers. 6’0 Rhett Osthus || De Smet || Pentagon Schoolers || 2022 `This smart baller has been a tough and resilient defender all summer. When guarding the ball Rhett can steer the offensive player because of his quickness and efficient lateral footwork. His hands are always active and engaged. Osthus is constantly in the correct position on the court. This astounding defender is set to have a memorable senior year. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/dietz-crop-1125x739-1626962837.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1242593" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/dietz-crop-1125x739-1626962837-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> 6’1 G [player_tooltip player_id="1133053" first="Tevin" last="Dietz"] || Beach || ND Attack || 2022 He is a robust and rugged defender. Tevin’s strength and size make him a versatile D-stopper. He can get physical in the paint with forwards or clash with wings on the outside. Tevin is a good jumper that can contest shots. His athletic ability allows him to turn the ball over and make plays in the open court. Expect the Buccaneer to have a righteous senior campaign.