Best of The Bluegrass: Senior Defensive Standouts in 2024

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After taking a look back at the senior offensive standouts from this past spring season, it is now time to look towards the other end of the field and take a look at those seniors on the back end who put together tremendous senior campaigns in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at five seniors who stood out on the defensive end this spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["15067"],"_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-665ba8c30999b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Unfortunately, John's senior season was cut short by a season-ending knee injury. In the 11 games that he did play for the Tigers, the Towson signee continued to show why he is one of the best defensemen the state of Kentucky has seen. Grabbing 13 ground balls and causing 10 turnovers in the action he did see, John was often tasked with guarding the opposition's top offensive option. A tough and physical on-ball defender, he knows how to throw timely checks and put the ball on the ground. One of his biggest assets is his ability off the ground as he can help spark transition offense in a heartbeat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Carter Townsend","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"146","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"St. Xavier","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"L4 Lacrosse","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-665ba8c309a93"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After John went down, Townsend was tasked with taking on the role as the Tigers' top defenseman. Taking on the opposition's top option for the second half of the season, the 6-foot-2 defender played his role well. Townsend has a solid fame and also possesses some good speed and overall athleticism. He knows how to keep his man in front of him and can be very aggressive on-ball. The senior is very good off the ground and can run the field well if needed.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["24122"],"_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-665ba8c309aeb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Anytime the ball was on the ground in the Lexington Catholic defensive zone this past season, there is a pretty good chance Pund was the one who put it there. The 5-foot-10 defender is not the biggest or most towering defender but he plays with a ton of hustle and physicality. The Transylvania-bound senior is very aggressive on ball and knows how to use his body and stick to turn his defender and consistently put the ball on the ground. He can also be effective off-ball as an aggressive slider. He can also make a difference in transition at times as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["20547"],"_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-665ba8c309b37"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Selected to the KSLL's All-State team, DeGrandi was consistently one of the best goalies in the Commonwealth this past season. The Transylvania-bound shot stopper churned out a senior campaign in which he posted a season save percentage of over 50%. The 6'0 keeper kept to his game all year long as he backstopped the Trinity defense en route to a KSLL title. DeGrandi moves very well in cage, almost always has at least one big stop in tight per game, and is traditionally toughest to beat low.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["20549"],"_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-665ba8c309b78"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Coast Guard Academy-bound senior proved to be a very solid keeper for the South Oldham Dragons this past spring as he helped lead them to a KSLL title game appearance. McDowell plays a fun style at the goalie position, always having a lot of energy and able to impact the game in multiple ways. McDowell is especially good at making saves on out outside shots and has the ability to jumpstart the offense. He throws crisp outlet passes and can also come out of the cage if needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->