Week 2: Defense & Hustle Players
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We had some incredible performances in the second week of the season and I have to take the time to shine some light on some of the hardest workers I saw from the last week. These guys put it all…
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Continue ReadingWe had some incredible performances in the second week of the season and I have to take the time to shine some light on some of the hardest workers I saw from the last week. These guys put it all out there, making the extra push to get loose balls, rebounds, and get down the court, as well as exceptional hustle and skill on the defensive end.
Darius Dillard Darius Dillard 6'3" | SF Lincoln (Tacoma) | 2024 WA
Darius Dillard Darius Dillard 6'3" | SF Lincoln (Tacoma) | 2024 WA
Dillard was a super active player on both ends of the floor against a tough Federal Way team. He made a difference in what turned out to be a one possession game in Lincoln’s favor. He played much bigger than 6-foot-3, frustrating opponents all over the court with defense and hustle. He finished strong at the hoop and was critical on glass all game long.
The 6-foot-8 forward had a solid game against Bothell and was able to block or alter a lot of shots in and around the paint. He covers good ground inside, gets out on shooters well, and did a good job to meet shots going nearly straight up to avoid fouls, and fought the tendency a lot of shot blockers have to swipe down at the shot and foul shooters.
Highlights
You always look for how players respond to the game when their shots aren’t falling and Van De Graaf really impressed me with his resolve against Quincy. He wasn’t getting shots to fall from the perimeter and had some tough misses inside but came up big for his team in others way to help seal a big win for Zillah against a talented Quincy squad. Van De Graaf is an exceptional and versatile defender who played tough defense, used his reach and anticipation to tip passes and get involved on the glass. He also chased down a couple of loose balls and long rebounds later in the game that helped tilt the game in his team’s favor.
Highlights
Auburn came away with the big victory last Friday against a highly rated Tahoma team and Valcin made a few defensive plays that directly translated into points. He’s strong and quick, can be an impact defender inside and out, and used some good reads to jump passes all over the court. At least three of those steals led to breakaway buckets and helped keep the Trojans rolling.
He’s one of the peskiest defenders in his class and is constantly harassing opposing guards. He’s a guy that will pick up full court, force pickups, turnovers and errant passes. And he doesn’t quit. Bible showed all of this against a solid Lincoln squad and he should be one of the top defenders in his league all season long.
Highlights
Geron White Geron White 6'3" | SF Federal Way | 2025 WA
Geron White Geron White 6'3" | SF Federal Way | 2025 WA
Another Federal Way Eagle that caught my eye against Lincoln, White is a long 6-foot-3 and was getting his hands all over the ball on the defensive end. He’s able to take some chances against smaller guards with his ability to quickly recover and cover ground, and he was really disruptive poking away dribbles and smothering guys on the perimeter.