Seniors Who Will D-Up from Southwestern/West-Central Wisco

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These seniors have shown what it takes to be standout defenders for their teams across the Driftless Region. Whether creating turnovers, securing steals or blocking shots, these guys will make life difficult for their opposition every chance they get. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2634856' first='Sammy' last='Clary'] from Ithaca, led all players in the region with an impressive 3.8 steals per game, taking advantage of the aggressive trapping zone defenses played by the Bulldogs. The six-footer out of the Ridge &amp; Valley conference has excellent court awareness, making him a nightmare for offenses trying to move the ball smoothly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2432857' first='Synclair' last='Byus'], a 6'3" standout at Luther in the Coulee conference, recorded 2.2 steals and 0.6 blocks per game in his junior season. His length and awareness allow him to challenge shooters and intercept passes effectively, often turning defensive stops into offensive chances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2623678' first='Brecken' last='Ebersold'], a 6'4" forward from GET in the Coulee conference, contributed with 0.5 steals and 0.9 blocks per game, using his height to protect the rim and alter opponents' shots effectively. He is a versatile defender, working on both the perimeter and in the paint, giving his team options as they consider matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2493662' first='Jacob' last='Hackbarth'], a long 6'5" presence from Logan High School, demonstrated his shot-blocking abilities with an impressive 2.0 blocks per game. His height and defensive instincts make him a tough obstacle for opponents looking to score inside, often forcing them to alter their shots or pass out of the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2441467' first='Logan' last='Jerome'], a 6'6" athlete from Elk Mound, tallied 2.5 steals and 0.4 blocks per game in the Dunn-St. Croix conference. His height combined with his quick hands make him a formidable defender around the perimeter, where he can smother opposing wings and force errant passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6'0", Nash Krcmar from Nekoosa led the South Central conference with a remarkable 2.9 steals per game. His quick reflexes and anticipation skills enable him to disrupt passing lanes and create turnovers, which often lead to fast break scoring opportunities for his team or takes for himself.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2623681' first='Solomon' last='Murdock'] from Viroqua, who stands 6'4", contributed 1.4 steals and 0.9 blocks per game in the Coulee conference, showcasing his defensive versatility by guarding multiple positions and altering shots. His ability to read the offense and react swiftly makes him a valuable asset in both man-to-man and zone defenses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2624247' first='Ben' last='Ross'], a 6'1" guard from Alma Center Lincoln in the Dairyland - Small conference, added 1.3 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. Despite being on the shorter side compared to some of his peers, Ross's quick hands and sneaky athleticism make him a pesky defender, able to intercept passes and get off the floor quickly to turn away shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Spring Valley's [player_tooltip player_id='1878607' first='Cade' last='Stasiek'], at 6'0", led the Dunn-St. Croix conference with an outstanding 3.2 steals per game. His defensive prowess keeps opponents on their toes as he frequently forces turnovers, showcasing a relentless energy that wears down opposing guards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2493653' first='Jaren' last='Ward'], standing at 6'7" for Wisconsin Dells, provided balanced defensive contributions with 1.8 steals and 1.5 blocks per game in the South Central conference. His blend of length and positional awareness allows him to contest shots on the perimeter and while creating most havoc in the paint, where he can intercept passes or block shots with his long reach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->