ND Salty Defenders

Everybody loves to score points, hit 3-pointers, and dunk. However, there is more to basketball than just scoring points and looking good.   If you want to be a great team, you need tough defenders! That is what we are doing in this article, talking defense.   What makes a defender salty?   They are pesky, move their feet, cause havoc, are stout on the block, cut off attackers, take charges, tip passes, play good help-side, close out with a high hand, TALK, bump cutters, help-the-helper, switch screens fluidly, are good in PNR, block shots, take away passing angles, protect the rim, and they are flat out gritty.   Keep ready for comments on 25 tough defenders from North Dakota.   SALTY DEFENDERS   [player_tooltip player_id='1186854' first='Aidan' last='O'Brien'] (2024) |6'2 G| Beulah   A very tough on-ball defender. Aidan almost always gets the assignment of guarding the other team's best perimeter player. He has the athleticism and strength to guard 4's and 5's when needed. O'Brien uses his body well and is a speedy anticipator. Aidan is also a productive rebounder.   [player_tooltip player_id='1355919' first='Bennett' last='Larson'] (2026) |6'7 F| & [player_tooltip player_id='2331338' first='Tristen' last='Barstad'] (2024) |6'3 F| Stanley   These two guys anchor the Blue Jay defense. Both players allow Stanley to take risks on the perimeter as they clean up a lot of mistakes in front of the rim. These two players can switch 1-5 and they make it tough on smaller players. Both can trap ball screens, switch, or hard hedge. The Blue Jay BIGs keep Stanley in games when they struggle to score.   [player_tooltip player_id='2331458' first='Caden' last='Anderson'] (2025) |5'9 G| Hettinger-Scranton   Anderson is the defensive catalyst for the Nighthawks. He is at the front of the defensive pressure and he creates havoc by pressuring the ball the length of the court. He leads the team in deflections and in points off of turnovers. Caden is a strong rebounder as a point guard and tough as nails at keeping his player out of the paint. Caden has taken the challenge of guarding the other team's top perimeter player and is flourishing in that role.    [player_tooltip player_id='1144979' first='Champ' last='Hettich'] (2024) |6'3 G| Beulah   A pesky defender! Champ causes many problems with his length. He leads the Miners in deflections and is a great anticipator. Hettich creates steal/TO's and they lead to points going the other way. Champ is a guy who can efficiently guard positions 1-5 as he is blessed with a mix of size and quickness.   [player_tooltip player_id='1144581' first='Dalen' last='Leftbear'] (2024) |6'3 F| Four Winds/Minnewaukan   Likely the best defender in Class A. Leftbear is long, athletic, quick, and smart. He causes problems anytime he is assigned the best player on the opposing team and he holds them under their season average (Delorme, Hozer, Beauchamp, Peraza). Dalen's length allows him to contest every shot, his lateral quickness allows him to keep guards in front, his strength allows him to bang on the block, and his athleticism helps him recover and finish the play with a rebound, block, or contested shot. 14.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.9 apg, 2.4 spg, 1 bpg   [player_tooltip player_id='1144580' first='Deng' last='Deng'] (2024) |6'5 F| Four Winds/Minnewaukan   A miraculous athlete who changes the game with his length & mobility. Deng is an underrated defender. He brings great strength to D, is an excellent rim protector, and is a paint intimidation. 25.5 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 2 apg, 2.5 spg, 1.7 bpg, 55 FG%   [player_tooltip player_id='1542352' first='Ethan' last='Retterath'] (2027) |6'1 SF| Washburn   The Cardinals put Ethan on an island and ask him to shut down a team's top perimeter scorer and when they have to we have to chase someone, Ethan gets that assignment. One of his most important traits is his confidence. Ethan is a freshman and he gets asked to guard All-State and Mr. Basketball caliber players. Ethan is always up to the task of making every point they get an earned point.   Ethan Welk (2024) |6'0 G| Fargo North   The Spartans like putting Welk on opposing point guards. Ethan is a really great on-ball, pesky, quick, and is excellent at using his body, not hands to defend. Welk takes charges for the Spartans and is just an all-around gritty player.   [player_tooltip player_id='1165355' first='Grant' last='Cosley'] (2025) |6'0 G| North Border   Cosley is a fast & quick athlete, he uses that to his advantage on the defensive side of the ball. For 2 years now, Grant has drawn the toughest player from the opposition, regardless of size. He takes pride in holding players down. Grant leads the team in charges taken and is right up there in steals and deflections as well. Cosley's motor never stops and he brings the fight to the defensive side of the game for the Eagles every night.   [player_tooltip player_id='1892735' first='Jack' last='Retterath'] (2025) |5'11 G| Washburn   Jack is tasked with getting the ball where the Cards want it to start defensively. This requires him to pick up the opposing team's primary ball handler full court. Jack brings the Card attitude and edge when they are on defense. When he is getting after it, the whole team feeds off of it.  Jack is a superb on-ball defender.     [player_tooltip player_id='1145544' first='Jake' last='Starcevic'] (2025) |6'2 F| Kindred   He is a strong physical defender that brings toughness to the defensive end. Jake is a versatile defender who can guard on the perimeter and post. He is a true asset to the Vikings on the defensive end. He recently did a great job defending Deng from 4Winds and helped Kindred pick up a big win.   [player_tooltip player_id='1178063' first='JB' last='Walters'] (2025) |6'4 PF| Grand Forks Red River   James is a very physical inside defender. He does a nice job of bodying up in the paint and moving his feet to keep position. Also, with his 6'4" 260-pound frame he still has the ability to get to help side and guard the perimeter. Walters has the mentality of getting position and not letting the offensive player get the advantage with the ball or on the boards.    [player_tooltip player_id='1465341' first='Joseph' last='Gomez'] (2025) |5'8 G| Wahpeton   Gomez has been very good defensively for the Huskies. He causes turnovers and converts them into points. Joseph has a nose for the ball and has the ability to poke the ball away from taller players and get the turnover. At 5'8" he is usually at a size disadvantage but he's been able to use his ball pressure to his advantage.   [player_tooltip player_id='1935092' first='Joseph' last='Kramlich'] (2025) |6'1 G| Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier   A guard who will get in your face the length of the gym. Kramlich can beat you with finesse or he can beat you with just pure aggression by bumping you and dictating what he wants to allow you to do vs. him and not the other way around! Joe can guard the quickest players or the biggest and loves the challenge of both!   [player_tooltip player_id='2264862' first='Justin' last='Tschosik'] (2024) |5'8 G| Linton-HMB   JT is an elite perimeter defender. The Lions usually put him on the opposition's best perimeter player and most of the time he is at a size disadvantage (he is only 5'8"). JT has drawn 12 charges this year in 11 games, in which 10 have come on-ball and the other 2 were off rotations. When he is the primary defender, Justin is holding players to under 25% shooting. Due to his size, opposing players try to take him into the post. He battles to get in front and teams rarely succeed at taking him inside. There are not enough good things you can say about JT as a basketball player, especially on the defensive side.    [player_tooltip player_id='2331428' first='Kaden' last='Zacher'] (2025) |5'11 F| Belfield   What "Sneaky Pete" lacks in size, he makes up for in heart. The mantra for Bantam Basketball is to be “importunate", Pete is exactly that! He is persistently annoying on defense. When you think Zacher is chilling or not paying attention, he out of nowhere gets a deflection, or steal. Kaden is also a phenomenal rebounder.   [player_tooltip player_id='1145107' first='Landon' last='Moser'] (2024) |6'1 G| Northern Cass   Landon is not only the best offensive weapon for the Jags, but he is also one of their best defenders. Moser has enough speed to keep smaller/quicker guards in front of him, he can also bang down low and defend inside.    [player_tooltip player_id='1867243' first='Nick' last='Hasbargen'] (2024) |6'1 SF| Fargo Davies   Hasbargen is one of the best defenders in the EDC. He draws the best offensive player every night. Nick can defend on the perimeter and/or around the basket. He is versatile, tough, strong, gritty, and is not afraid of the dirty work. Nick will do whatever is asked of him. You will not find a tough player.   Otto Dockter (2025) |5'11 G| Richland   He is a pest of defense and a thorn in the side of talented players. Dockter will face guard top opponents, play his heart out, and leave it all on the court. Otto has done a nice job this season on the defensive side of the ball and he has held down some talented offensive players.   [player_tooltip player_id='1334664' first='Peder' last='Haugo'] (2024) |6'3 F| Fargo North   The future Bison football player guards multiple positions on the basketball court. Peder is strong, explosive, holds space, and uses his body very well to cut off rim attacks. Haugo is as physical as they come and he often defends the opponent's best player.   [player_tooltip player_id='2331429' first='Shane' last='Stroh'] (2026) |6'0 F| Belfield   Shaner is an all-out athlete! He is still young in mind with many parts of the game and the Bantams anticipate impressive things in the future from Mr. Stroh. In his current state of development, Shane is an all-around natural lockdown defender. He is a thoroughbred! Stroh senses the horse ahead of him and he grabs that other gear. He innately moves to help-side defense and is an impressive rebounder with his effortless hops!   [player_tooltip player_id='1547737' first='Trey' last='Husar'] (2025) |6'4 F| Northern Cass   Trey is off to a great start this season averaging 14/5 but his biggest contribution is guarding the other team's best player each night. Husar has great length in his 6'3" frame and that affects a lot of shots. He has been a big surprise for the Jags this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1367009' first='Parker' last='Simon'] (2024) |6'4 F| North Star   Mr. Simon has been North Star's most consistent defensive player. He usually draws the other team's best scorer. He is long and causes shooters problems, and even though he doesn't have the best first step on defense he can make up for it with his long strides and pretty much keep with anyone he guards. Parker rebounds well and is physical when he needs to be. Simon is putting up solid numbers as well with 17.7 ppg and 4.3 rpg. The Bearcats are undefeated on the season and ranked #2 in the State Polls.   [player_tooltip player_id='1185124' first='Wade' last='Nestell'] (2024) |6'0 G| Four Winds/Minnewaukan   He key backcourt defender for the Indians. Wade is a very quick and pesky defender on point guards. Nestell is quick and sneaky on the defensive end. He forces turnovers and keeps opposing guards off balance. 7.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 3.7 apg, 2.6 spg   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/NorthDakota.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/NorthDakota.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1606306" /></a></figure>

Everybody loves to score points, hit 3-pointers, and dunk. However, there is more to basketball than just scoring points and looking good.