Best Defenders So Far: Class A (Part 2: WDA Edition)

<p>With the season about five to six games in, its time to discuss some of the best defenders in Class A boys basketball. Because of the abundance of talent the state has, this series is split into multiple parts to ensure coverage of all the great defenders we have seen so far, please enjoy part 2. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1133066" first="Britton" last="Cranston"]</p> <p>Leading the Western Dakota Conference in steals so far this season with 3.3 a game is Dickinson Midget [player_tooltip player_id="1133066" first="Britton" last="Cranston"]. From what I’ve seen of Cranston he is an elite on-ball defender, is willing to put his body on the floor, has quick hands, and is a playmaker off of the steal. If you ask any coach or player whether they would take a kid with all of those qualities, ten times out of ten the answer is going to be yes, and I have a feeling that Dickinson is glad that Britton is on their side. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1046352" first="Treysen" last="Eaglestaff"]</p> <p>Not only is Bismarck High senior [player_tooltip player_id="1046352" first="Treysen" last="Eaglestaff"] one of the best scorers in the state, but he’s also a high level defender. Through five games so far the talented guard is averaging 3.2 steals, which is second in the WDA, and 3.8 blocks per game, putting him at first in that category. Eaglestaff really puts his 6’6" frame to use when guarding the opposition, and it shows in the those numbers. With how well he has been playing on not only the offensive end, but also on defense, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Treysen as a Mr. Basketball candidate at the end of the season. </p> <div class="page" title="Page 1"> <div class="layoutArea"> <div class="column"> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1046353" first="Zander" last="Albers"]</p> <p>Through six games, not counting last night, [player_tooltip player_id="1046353" first="Zander" last="Albers"] has been sending shots back for the Legacy Sabers. Sitting at second place in the Western Dakota Conference, with 2.6 blocks a game, the senior has been putting the work in on the defensive end. With Legacy sitting at dead middle in the standings, they will need Albers to keep up this production if they want to make a statement the rest of the season. </p> <div class="page" title="Page 1"> <div class="layoutArea"> <div class="column"> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1050251" first="Jaxon" last="Kellogg"] </p> <p>Coming in at third for steals per game in the Western Dakota Conference is pick pocket [player_tooltip player_id="1050251" first="Jaxon" last="Kellogg"]. The junior guard is averaging 2.8 steals a contest, and after watching some of his highlights, that is no surprise. With quick hands and a knack for stripping the ball, Kellogg is a force to be reckoned with on the defensive end. </p> <div class="page" title="Page 1"> <div class="layoutArea"> <div class="column"> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1050249" first="Alex" last="Dvorak"]</p> <p>With about 2.6 steals per game so far, [player_tooltip player_id="1050249" first="Alex" last="Dvorak"] has been anything but a midget on the defensive end. The junior guard has been producing well for the Dickinson boys basketball team, and with an even record of 3-3, they won’t complain. As a skilled player on the offensive side of the ball as well, Dvorak is in a great position to lead his squad to a successful rest of the season. </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>