Justin Nordin and an Assortment of Elite Defenders (12/20)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>PICTURED: Bearden High</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Give some respect and some time to elite on-ball defenders whose investments deliver results.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2358333"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6945ecdfbdf79"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>12/19/25:</strong> Wonderful guard [player_tooltip player_id='2358333' first='Justin' last='Nordin'] helped his Bulldogs win their 13th straight game of the season Friday at Riverdale High. The opposing Ravenwood Raptors struggled to get into their offense thanks largely to both Justin's and teammate [player_tooltip player_id='2349746' first='Carson' last='Asbaty']'s frenetic defense out high. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"The past couple of years I have changed my mind on defense," said [player_tooltip player_id='2358333' first='Justin' last='Nordin']. "I love defense. Getting a stop fuels me, to be honest. First, I look at his hips. It is anticipation of where he is going. Having that dog mentality. If he gets past you, then that is on you. If I am not having a strong night offensively that is going to keep me on the court by playing great defense. I love defense."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nordin challenges both passing lanes and the dribble. Justin is a veteran varsity hooper with plenty of impressive intangibles, including grit. The high effort of Nordin spearheads the entire defense and provides Bearden with inspiration. A leader.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2349746"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6945f18021881"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>12/19/25:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2349746' first='Carson' last='Asbaty'] provided Ravenwood's Raptors with repeated problems. The senior guard denied entry passes and used his feet to intercept passes. Deflections also served as a big part of his defensive effort. Together Asbaty and Nordin really rattled the Raptors and punished their timidity and indecisiveness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2260983"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-694605de731cd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>12/19/25:</strong> Incredible athlete. Dean earned a ranking two years ago and continues to prove his ceiling is high with each passing month. Defensively, Dean can check three different high school positions. Great leaper. His reaction time and explosion are better than most peers. ALcoa defeated both Boyd-Buchanan and Knoxville Catholic in overtime. Jamir was great in both, particularly as his squad held on against Catholic without [player_tooltip player_id='2281200' first='Jay' last='Kirk'] (fouled out). Dean played a power forward role defensively in overtime and did wonderful. He even stole a pass intended for [player_tooltip player_id='2634289' first='Malachi' last='Brown']. His defensive instincts and quickness are at another level for a high school player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2716618"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6947395bd0779"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>12/20/25:</strong> Early on Korajo picked a Centennial guard's pocket in the middle of a crossover and then comfortably cruised up floor for the uncontested dunk. Throughout the game Dickens visibly buzzed when confronted with a smaller and potentially quicker guard, the blood almost visibly coursing through his veins. Korajo is ranked so highly here because his agility suggests a future on the wing in college. By showing he can defend lesser guards effectively Dickens is proving the potential for thwarting elite college guards while standing 6-foot-6 is conceivable. Imagine the ceiling for a two-way wing with his size, skill, and character.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2856292"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6947395bd080a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>12/20/25:</strong> Khralo's defensive prowess shone Saturday when he blocked a layup easily. Dickens is a traditional power forward with composure who does not foul often despite standing between hard-charging guards and the basket. Dickens looks to be a patient defender. He does not bite on pump fakes as often as most young bigs do. Hunting blocks is fun, but can be precarious.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2194617"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-694747c6c64f1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>12/20/25:</strong> The best defender in the state? Maybe. Facing a power team from Virginia Saturday in the prestigious City of Palms Classic DJ blocked the very first shot attempt of the game like a big brother punking his younger sibling. The lithe wing found himself on a mammoth-strong Latrell Allmond (#2 in Virginia) multiple times. He "attacked" him defensively several different ways. He poked and prodded the ball to get it loose. On another possession Okoth waited until Almond rose to lay it in to challenge and did just enough to alter the shot. DJ's post defense is nice, but his perimeter defense provides the backbone of his Top 2 state ranking. Okoth must avoid foul accumulation just like any young player. When he is on the floor there is no better defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->