Impactful Defenders on Day Two of the Impact Sports Invitational

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>USE CODE “BLACKFRIDAY2025” FOR 50% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Happy feast week! My first stop of one of the most action-packed stretches of the High School Basketball Season was the Impact Sports Invitational, featuring Spartanburg, Spartanburg Christian, Boiling Springs, Mauldin, High Point, Laurens, Seneca, and Irmo. Check out six players who made a big impact on the defensive end of the floor on Day Two of the Impact Sports Invitational: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2381715"],"_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-6929c75ada068"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">First up on the list of impactful defenders is [player_tooltip player_id='2381715' first='Kyler' last='Jaggers'] of the Spartanburg Vikings. Kyler is an excellent on-ball defender who made an impact by making life difficult for opposing ball-handlers with strong hands to create steals, quick feet to contain the ball, and solid instincts to know where to be and when to be there. Jaggers had 4 steals and contested several shots well, while also adding 4 assists in a win over Spartanburg Christian. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2715536"],"_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-6929c75ada10d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Although he isn't the tallest big man, Saint-Amour has a knack for making his presence felt when he's on the floor. Eli had a solid offensive game, putting up 9 points, which included a pair of and-1s and multiple offensive rebounds, but it was his defensive efforts that really impressed me. Saint-Amour looked much more mobile than I remember him being a season ago, as that was on display with quick rotations to protect the rim. He will also pick his spots to blitz and force pressure for ball-handlers. Eli tallied 6 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals in an overtime win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2564154"],"_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-6929c75ada199"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2564154' first='Jace' last='Shaw'] was Mauldin's best player on Tuesday in that win. Not only did he run the show on offense with 12 points and 6 assists, but he was also an impact player on the defensive end. Now a Senior, Shaw is a very experienced player who has the basketball IQ to be able to recognize and disrupt offensive actions. However, he is also gritty enough to sit down and guard when it's time to get stops. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1679972"],"_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-6929c75ada21b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sanders had one of the more dominant stat lines on day two of the Impact Sports Invitational, posting 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 blocks in a matchup with Laurens. He showcased some impressive offensive production with his positioning and athleticism at the rim, but he was also a key piece for the Grizzlies on D. J'Sean is always very aggressive as a backline defender and looks to block every shot that comes from inside the paint. But, Sanders was also used as the primary defender on a guard at times in this game and moved, recovered, and contested very well, displaying some of his defensive versatility. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2306321"],"_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-6929c75ada29c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The best rebounder on Tuesday in Spartanburg was Moss. Chaz looked terrific on the glass, limiting second chances for opponents by working hard to secure the first miss. Moss's defensive prowess isn't limited to rebounding, though, as he can also protect the rim with elite length. Chaz is very hard to finish over when he stays vertical, but he can get into foul trouble when he is over-aggressive as a shot blocker. After getting a stop or a rebound, Moss looks to run the floor in transition. He finished with 9 points and 9 rebounds in the semifinal win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2024465"],"_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-6929c75ada31e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rounding out the list of impactful defenders on day two of the Impact Sports Invitational is [player_tooltip player_id='2024465' first='Zakarion' last='Simpson']. Zakarion matched up with the aforementioned Sanders in Tuesday's opener, and he showcased some elite athleticism on the defensive end while racking up five blocks. Simpson has an explosive first and second jump, both of which are crucial because he lacks a little bit of size down low. Zakarion had multiple flashes of his exciting potential, including a perfect verticality block of a taller big, and a coast-to-coast transition dunk that got some early momentum for his team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->