Salty Defenders in South Dakota

In this article, we are looking at difference-makers on the defensive end of the court. The playoffs will be here soon. How do you win games in the postseason? Stingy defense! So what makes a tough/salty defender? Great anticipation, quick feet, extra hustle, lateral movement, understanding angles, altering/blocking/contesting shots, ubiquitous NRG, killer closeouts, helping the helper, bumping cutters, communication, grit, persistence, taking charges, committing smart fouls, physicality, and many more. With that being said....let's check out these defenders! We have 16 players to look at in this article.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/03/SD-1.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/03/SD-1.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1399487" /></a></figure>   Salty Defenders   [player_tooltip player_id='1534280' first='Abe' last='Kamara'] (2023) |6'0 G| Sioux Falls Roosevelt   He is likely the most underrated player in SD, especially on defense. Abe is a nuisance on D and he is always putting pressure on the offense. He has incredibly quick hands, will guard you 84 feet, and not give you a single breath of fresh air. The Rough Riders are a scary team and much of that is because of Kamara.   [player_tooltip player_id='1227965' first='AJ' last='Akot'] (2023) |6'3 G/F| Sioux Falls Washington   He is a highly impressive athlete that is college ready in that department. His long wingspan and bounciness allow him to bother and contest shots inside and on the perimeter. AJ glides up an down the court and he can make plays in transition to help take away easy baskets. AJ is a versatile defender with his length and mobility. He is also very active and he can make plays at clutch times. Akot will take care of guards/wings/forwards with no trouble.   [player_tooltip player_id='1625176' first='Alec' last='Squires'] (2024) |6'10 C| Sioux Valley   Opposing teams have to adjust their game plans because of his sheer size and ability to protect the lid. Squires has a special ability to block shots but also keep the ball in play, rather than blocking it out of bounds. He is excellent at finishing defensive possessions by securing rebounds. Alec has a great defensive voice from the middle of the defense. He plays a clean game of defense on the interior. Squire's length, mobility, and smarts make him a salty defender.   Booker Schooley (2023) |6'0 G| Castlewood   He is a versatile defender who can guard multiple positions. The Warriors put him on the opponent's best player in every game. As you can imagine, this makes Schooley a vital part of the game plan in each contest. He is always getting on the floor and diving for loose balls. Booker is no stranger to making hustle plays. He is extra-smart about defensive concepts and he knows the game well.   [player_tooltip player_id='963773' first='Brayden' last='Pankonen'] (2023) |5'11 G| Dell Rapids   He is a great on-ball defender and is always guarding other teams' point guard. Pankonen's quickness allows him to stay in front and jump passing lanes. His DB-like skills really make it tough on teams making cross-court passes. It is easy to see why Brayden was an All-State football player, his instincts, anticipation, and ability to read eyes are impressive. Pankonen is a ball hawk and a thorn in the side of ballhandlers.   [player_tooltip player_id='1625195' first='Gage' last='Gasca'] (2023) |6'7 PF| Sioux Falls Washington   He has come on strong in the second half of the season. Gasca has great length and leaping ability to make shots tough around the rim. Every great team needs a rim protector and Gasca is one of those guys for the Warriors. He has a great rim presence for Washington. He has been fantastic as of late, the Warriors have gone through a tough string of opponents and Gage has played well. His long wingspan erases passing angles and he can take away second chances by rebounding on the defensive side.   [player_tooltip player_id='1808265' first='Jack' last='Hilgenberg'] (2023) |5'9 G| Sioux Falls Lincoln   Another underrated player/defender. Jack does not score a ton of points but he is a really good defender. He is also a productive rebounder, especially for being under 6'. He makes opposing guards have to work to get anywhere in the halfcourt. Hilgenberg is a hound dog on-ball defender.   [player_tooltip player_id='963775' first='Jackson' last='Edman'] (2023) |6'7 PF| Pierre   Easily one of the elite defenders in SD, he can guard 1-5 and is also one of the best rim protectors. Edman is averaging 3 BPG and affects a ton of other shots just by being around the rim. Jackson's pick-n-roll defense has been very good, he spent a lot of time working on it in the offseason. Edman is long and is great at showing on screens, even if his teammate is slow to get through the screen, Jackson can contain the dribbler and still get back to his man in time. Edman is certainly an imposing defender with his length, muscle, and explosiveness.   [player_tooltip player_id='1265221' first='JT' last='Rock'] (2024) |7'1 C| Sioux Falls Lincoln   He has a daunting presence in the paint because of his length and how well he moves his feet. JT does a great job of sliding his feet to get in position to alter shots and not foul with body contact, this is a unique ability! Teams attack less because of Rock being in the middle. He cleans up on the glass which only gives opposing teams one chance at a score. He is good in the pick-n-roll game because of his lateral movement, for being 7'1" he moves amazingly well. JT has improved his understanding of angles in the P-N-R game. Rock is a game-changer on D and he is still improving.   [player_tooltip player_id='1270361' first='Lane' last='Tietz'] (2024) |6'1 G| Groton Area   He is more known for his offensive ability/production but Tietz is a pesky defender. He gets his hands on the ball, this creates deflections and turnovers for the Tigers. He is a heady player with a good understanding of the game on both sides of the ball. His overall speed makes it hard for attackers to get by him on the bounce. Lane is a stud offensive player, do not forget that he can D-up as well!   [player_tooltip player_id='1390895' first='Mandalla' last='Mohamed'] (2023) |6'2 SG| Sioux Falls Washington   He is the top defender for the Warriors. Mandalla is the heartbeat of the Warrior defense and he guards the opponent's best player. He guards 1-4, has amazing instincts, intensity, and the desire to get stops! Mohamed was stout on defense during the AAU season and he is a rockstar with the Warriors. His measurables (size, strength, athleticism) make him a lockdown defender. Mandalla is also a hard worker that plays with a tough attitude. He moves his feet well on the perimeter and he can get physical in the paint when needed. I would imagine that nobody likes it when Mohamed is assigned to guard them.   [player_tooltip player_id='963744' first='Oliver' last='Vincent'] (2023) |6'1 PG| Sioux Valley   He is the All-Time Leader in chargers taken at Sioux Valley. There have been a ton of talented players at SV, so that is a great honor for Mr. Vincent! Oli is one of the best in the state at on-ball defense. He quarterbacks the Cossack defense by always communicating and talking his teammates into the correct spots. Vincent knows the opposing team's plays and player tendencies, he does his homework. Vincent is a very good rebounder for a guard. He is intelligent but also tough and gritty.   [player_tooltip player_id='1508649' first='Seth' last='Hamilton'] (2024) |6'0 G| Spearfish   Like many of the guys on this list, Hamilton matches up with the opposing team's best player night in and night out. He is a tough guard with impressive instincts. Seth is a clever defender and he is also strong. He uses his strength to make things difficult for opponents.   [player_tooltip player_id='1399817' first='Tad' last='Tjaden'] (2025) |6'6 SF| Dell Rapids   He has guarded every position so far this year and has been tasked with guarding the opposing team's best player. Tjaden's length and foot speed allow him to keep up with smaller guards and really make life tough for players. At 6'6" Tad has been able to hold many great players to modest games and he really makes people earn their points.   [player_tooltip player_id='1625215' first='Trey' last='Maaland'] (2024) |6'1 G| Deuel   This Card is a duel-threat player that gets the job done on both ends. Maaland often guards the opponent's best player and he is a playmaker. His discipline on defense sets him apart from others. Trey does not jump off the stat sheet with blocks or steals but he is tenacious. He is productive on and off the ball. The Cards are a different team without Maaland on the defensive side of the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='963809' first='Tryg' last='Auten'] (2023) |5'11 G| Sioux Falls Washington   He is a strong guard who likes to be physical with the ball handler. He has great instincts as to what his opponent is trying to do and Auten can quickly take that away. He has an advantageous understanding of the game and this makes him a tough defender to deal with.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/ImpressivePlayers.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/ImpressivePlayers.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1487735" /></a></figure>

In this article, we are looking at difference-makers on the defensive end of the court. The playoffs will be here soon. How do you win games in the postseason? Stingy defense! So what makes a tough/salty defender? Great anticipation, quick feet, extra hustle, lateral movement, understanding angles, altering/blocking/contesting shots, ubiquitous NRG, killer closeouts, helping the helper, bumping cutters, communication, grit, persistence, taking charges, committing smart fouls, physicality, and many more. With that being said....let's check out these defenders! We have 16 players to look at in this article.