Season Recap: Northern Conference 2022 Shot Blockers

<p>Northern Colorado may be tucked away, however the region has proven to create a wide range NCAA caliber talent for years. Towns like Greeley, Mead, and Longmont have all played a heavy role in tying together our group of leading shot blockers. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1284551" first="James" last="Shiers"] - Mead<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/205-James-Shiers.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1281528 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/205-James-Shiers-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="251" height="167" /></a></p> <p>The seven-footer has been a force on both ends during his tenure with 19-4 Mead, averaging 3.5 blocks through two seasons. Although Shiers’ counting stats are slightly down in some metrics, he has improved upon his efficiency in other needed aspects of his game. Through this season, the center is averaging 14.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game while posting shooting splits of 66/36/59. Notable areas of improvement have been his efficiency around the rim, jumping from 56% on two-pointers to a dominant 68% this season. While Shiers has only taken 11 threes on the season, he has gotten his numbers up to a respectable 36% from distance. On the other end, Shiers towers above opponents so he rarely bights on pump fakes and doubles down on going straight up for blocks. He is also adept at going for blocks with either hand, a necessary trait for any big time shot blocker. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/IMG_0557.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1221385 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/IMG_0557-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="231" height="173" /></a>Kevin Bedford - Centaurus</p> <p>The anchor of the interior up in Lafayette has been a consistent performer on defense thanks to his infectious energy combined with his quick reactions. Standing at roughly 6’6, Bedford has been a consistent double-double threat with 18-5 Centaurus, averaging 9.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game. The forward notched stunning game highs of 18 rebounds versus Frederick, 13 versus Erie, and has only had four games where he grabbed less than seven rebounds. Bedford serves mainly a play finisher around the rim or on short jumpers, while his release point is at a great spot, further tweaks of the form will be needed.  He is shooting 59% from the free throw line and has only taken one three on the year. On the opposite end, Bedford acts as the engine powering the defense, where he is a loud communicator and is very assertive when switching screens. While he can get caught out of position biting on shots from time to time, Bedford should be considered a dependable post defender at next level. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1285179" first="Brendan" last="Barcewski"] - Longmont (pictured at beginning)</p> <p>The senior wing made a huge leap between his junior and senior season, significantly adding to every counting statistic available. On the year, Barcewski is putting up 16.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.2 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game while posting splits of 61/38/57 for 17-6 Longmont. Barcewski is more than capable of attacking closeouts and putting pressure on the rim, thanks to his above average strength at ~195 pounds. What makes the senior wing such a dependable shot blocker is his off-ball awareness. He is quick reacting to help side defense, where he makes a living swatting away shots from behind. Of late, Barcewski has quickly improved his vertical leap that has allowed him opportunities to throw down more and more transition slams. One area of improvement is tightening his shot mechanics, he tends to dip his hands below the waist and ends the motion with a slight slingshot above the forehead. </p>