Grit and Grind: 802 All-Defensive Team
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It’s a wrap with this five! We got an insane first five chock full of athleticism, strength, and high IQ defenders. Get familiar with VT’s top defensive players. Sawyer Ramey Sawyer Ramey 5'10" | PG Deerfield Academy | 2024 State…
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Continue ReadingIt’s a wrap with this five! We got an insane first five chock full of athleticism, strength, and high IQ defenders. Get familiar with VT’s top defensive players.
Sawyer Ramey Sawyer Ramey 5'10" | PG Deerfield Academy | 2024 State NLG , 5’10 PG – Fair Haven Union High School Class of 2023
The Gatorade POY isn’t just an offensive savant. Ramey provides a ton of services on the defensive end too. He’s a calculated defender on the ball, rarely taking chances. Yet at the same time he bothers ballhandlers, often times taking them out of their comfort zone. Plus, his defense off the ball is highly anticipatory, able to snatch passes around the perimeter or into the post in a flash. Moreover, Sawyer rebounds at a high clip too. Ramey averaged six boards and four steals a game this past year. He’s a two-way talent, to say the least.
Ronnie Riby-Williams, 6’0 G – Montpelier High School Class of 2023
This kid does it all. I’ve seen him hawk all-state point guards and I’ve also seen him take top tier 4s completely out of their game. Ronnie’s combination of basketball IQ, athleticism, and strength have turned him into a defensive mastermind. He displayed he can defend 1-4 by sticking on perimeter guys hips and jumping passes one play, then he might come down and deny post entries, move guys off the block, and box out for boards the next play. Riby-Williams covers a full 84×50, no question about it.
Tyler Bergmans Tyler Bergmans 6'2" | SG South Burlington | 2024 State NLG , 6’2 G – South Burlington High School Class of 2024
A physical guard, Bergmans utilizes his strength, length and anticipation to get under opponent’s skin. Tyler has a good sense of where ballhandlers want to go and he takes away exactly that. Bergmans cuts off driving lanes without giving much cushion for guys to rise up into jumpers. Plus, he’s a quick and smart help defender who can switch onto bigs without issue. Moreover, I’ve pinned Bergmans as one of the best rebounding perimeter guys in the state as he consistently collected double-digit boards. Tyler is highly versatile and measured.
Tucker Tharpe Tucker Tharpe 6'6" | PF Champlain Valley | 2024 State NLG , 6’5 F – Champlain Valley Union High School Class of 2024
Tucker is one of those 4s who can truly play inside and out. With his length and work ethic, Tharpe is able to take guys out of their element, as noted in the championship game. Tucker took one of VT’s top prospects and prevented him from finding any rhythm by denying post entries, scrambling through screens to prevent 3 balls, and giving zero air space. He naturally defends 3-5 and clogs the paint with quick help defense aided by his long frame. Plus, he’s often in double figures with his work on the glass. Tucker is a quiet worker with a real feel for the defensive side of the ball.
Riley Severy, 6’6 F – Spaulding High School Class of 2023
Truly Riley is a 4, yet he moves from 3s, 4s, and 5s quite seamlessly. Severy has the footwork and agility to handle inside/out bigs and wings on the perimeter, and his length allows him to give cushion without giving up open jumpers. Yet at the same time he can drop down low and jostle with 5s, using his solid frame to challenge guys for position down low and clean the glass. Lastly, he has nice timing when challenging shots and it’s rare to find him swatting at the ball and flying out of position. Severy is smart, agile, and capable of defending multiple positions.