Class of 2022 Steal Leaders
An offensive basketball game is a good but a defensive basketball game is a great game. The sweat and hard work to stop another team from scoring and how fired up players can become after a defensive stop is an…
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Continue ReadingAn offensive basketball game is a good but a defensive basketball game is a great game. The sweat and hard work to stop another team from scoring and how fired up players can become after a defensive stop is an anticipated part of the game for many. A quote often mentioned, “Offense wins games but defense wins championships”. Who doesn’t like steals? Who doesn’t like the player who is making the steals? As the 2019-2020 season is now underway lets see which players of Class of 2022 can lead a team with steals on defense.
Here are 5 players (2 not pictured) who have a great defensive presence, steal leaders:
Talaysia Cooper- East Clarendon High School-6’0 Guard– Talaysia has a total of 12 steals this season. The 12 steals were accounted for in a remarkable performance within one contest. These 12 steals lead to fast breaks and easy points for Talaysia. Her ability to get out and run after a steal increases her stats per game whether it be in points or assists.This exceptional demonstration of defense helps build and maintain momentum throughout the games for her team. Talaysia’s lengthy frame and great instincts on defense will allow a countless number of performances with double digits steals especially during the post season.
Jayla Jamison– Airport High School- 5’6 Guard– Jayla had a total of 108 steals last season and is looking to increase the number of steals this season. She has currently played within 3 contest and has a total of 18 steals and the season is just underway, averaging 6 steals per game. Jayla has a wide wing span to only be 5’6 and this causes many deflections, steals and intercepted passes which will contributed to having a steal leader campaign and potentially be the top steal leader as she can easily score with her speed after a steal.
Bria Dickinson- Easley HomeSchool- 5’5 Guard– Bria had a total of 72 steals last season and is looking to increase the number of steals this season. She has currently played within 7 contest and has a total of 42 steals and the season is just beginning, averaging 6 steals per game. She uses her quick feet and hands to pressure defenders and cause deflections that lead to steals or turnovers. She is on a steal leader campaign to become the top steals leader for this season if she continues her averages or increases her steal average per game.
Leah Thomas (not pictured)– Anderson Christian- 5’6 Guard/Forward– Leah currently played in 4 contest and has a total of 17 steals as the season is just beginning, averaging 4.3 steals per game. Leah has no prior season stats but is making her way into the conversation.
Sharriah Green (Not pictured)– Goose Creek- 5’4 Guard– Sharriah has currently played within 5 contest and has a total of 16 steals, averaging 3.2 steals per game. Sharriah has no prior season stats but this average has the potential to increase as Sharriah becomes a disruptive perimeter defender.
Having defensive players on a team who thrive off of their ability to steal the basketball disrupts teams’ offenses and make players uncomfortable when being guarded by these players. Its like an art and what team would not love to have them. These players mentioned above will end possessions for the opposing teams and gives their team more possessions to score, they will cause “havoc” while on defense all season. Players who are able to get steals work off instinct and anticipation.The defensive players can bait the offense player into making a move that is more known for the defender and easily get a steal. Steal leaders often cause frustration to the opposing team’s scorers and can allow them to have a bad game and in return leads to a win.