On the defensive

SWA guard give props to tough stops

By Erik Fields

13 January 2008

greatlakeshoops.com

This is the first in a series of columns written by Erik Fields (pictured right with former mate, Anthony Crater), journalism student and starting guard at Flint Southwestern Academy.

Greetings, basketball fans.

Since I am known as a defensive “stopper”, I decided to write about some of the best players I have had the opportunity to guard.

Saying that are going to check a team's best player is big talk, but to follow through you have to have the heart and willingness to do everything in your power--and the rules--to stop that person from having a career night.

But you can't just say that, you have to mean it and then go out there and do it.

You have to work hard at it everyday in practice and on your own time. You must be strong both physically and mentally.

I learned from two of the best: Erving McFadden (left) and Tyrone Ward, one a former the other a current teammate.

Erving is possibly the best defender I've seen in my time in high school. He was strong, humble and had the heart of a lion.

I have had to check some of the best players in the state and country since I've been playing. I have a long list of them, but I am going to just describe a couple and tell you how that experience was.

--Brad Redford has to be the best shooter I have ever played against or even seen. Well, he had been just the best shooter but over the past year he worked out very hard and is now possibly the best PLAYER I have ever had to guard. He has the basketball IQ of a genius and simply never gives up. He managed to score 47 points on us on opening night of this season. It was just amazing; well, it actually wasn’t at the time because when I was checking him I tried everything I could to stop him from scoring, but it seemed like nothing would work. He ran me through pick after pick after pick. Not only was it one of the hardest tasks I had to endure but also one of the most exhausting games of my career. But that experience made me a better defender against shooters and basketball players, period.

-Kalin Lucas (right) is one the fastest players I have ever had to guard (along with Kelvin Grady and Anthony Crater). In addition to being fast, he has a quick release on his shot and is very strong, despite his height. And when he dribbles down the court he sees everything. When I was checking him it was like he had eyes on the side of his head. He only scored 18 (that’s not a lot compared to the 36 points he scored the game before us) but he was the best floor general that I have defended.

Those are just two of the many players I have guarded through out my career.

I have also checked the likes of Dominique Buckley (Romulus), Alex Legion (DCD and Oak Hill), Dar Tucker (Saginaw Arthur Hill), Laval Lucas-Perry (Flint Powers), Kelvin Grady (EGR), Demarcus Grady (EGR) and many more--and yes, I’ve had to check some big men in my day as well.

I can't honestly say I have shut any one of these exceptional athletes down, but I have held my own and not took any embarrassment from any of them. I take pride in defense and working hard on it. I still have half a season to go and have a lot of more people to defend.

Defense wins championships and offense sells tickets.