Season Superlatives: Spotlight on Top Defenders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Spring season is off to a great start. But we want to recognize some of the standouts from the past high school season before we move totally into the next phase. So we are going to focus on Season Superlatives in a variety of categories: leaders, stat sheet stuffers, defenders, athletes</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a salute to some of the top defenders across the state:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2209778"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"You can start the defenders list with [player_tooltip player_id='2209778' first='Ethan' last='Taylor'], the tallest player in the state. But Taylor is not just tall, he is learning to combine his length with agility and shot-blocking instincts. He swatted 3.5 shots per game, but he intimidated and affected countless more. No one is going to body up and go over him, and drivers think twice before coming anywhere near him. Taylor anchored a great defense this year. And the scariest thing…they're most all back next season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1953946"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Gonzalez created havoc in the backcourt throughout his career. He's a nightmare to ball handlers, with lightning quick hands and feet to match. He's small but strong, able to body up and hold his ground. And when the ball hangs in the air, he's got the instincts of a free safety, picking off passes all over the court.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1300834"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Spray has the versatile skills and physique to defend every inch of the floor. He's got great length to shut down guards, foot speed and quickness to stay with them on the perimeter, and the strength to hang tough in the paint. While other players got more attention, Spray was a glue guy both on his club teams and on the Great Bend team that made it to state this year.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1580560"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"This guy stayed under the radar his entire career, but deserves a ton of recognition for his unique game. To impressive length, Kante adds the easy vertical that lets him get off the floor quickly and make plays above the rim. He runs the floor with the very best big men. He chases down transition plays and can body up post players.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1461339"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Muehler capped a great career with a state title. He did it all for the Bullpups, blending in with several other talented players. Content to not focus just on offense, Muehler was a versatile defender who defended on-ball, shut down shooters and brought athleticism, fundamentals and intelligence to every aspect of the state-champs' defense.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6621b57f5a724"} /-->