FREEPORT — Darius Frantz might as well wear a sign on the front of his Freeport basketball jersey that says, "Keep Out."

The senior forward has had the Yellowjackets hoop in lockdown this season.

Anything that gets into his no-fly zone is quickly swatted away as if he were King Kong perched on the top of the Empire State Building.

"Blocking shots has pretty much always been my specialty," Frantz said. "I've always just been able to time it right. I'm tall and lanky, so that helps."

Frantz is taking shot blocking to a new level. The 6-foot-4 forward is averaging 7.8 blocks per game. Two weeks ago against Riverview, he stifled 15 shots.

Even Frantz is amazed by some of his numbers: He has eight blocks or more in five games.

Frantz is handing out more rejections than Simon Cowell.

"After that Riverview game, I read the stat sheet and thought, 'That is ridiculous,'" Frantz said. "It was just one of those nights when everything was perfect. I didn't realize I had that many (blocks)."

The key for Frantz has been a renewed dedication to the game.

For several seasons, he has wreaked havoc on the football field. In 2009, Frantz recorded 133 tackles and five sacks.

Basketball wasn't near the top of his priority list.

But when longtime Freeport basketball coach Garrie Davies returned to the bench after a five-year hiatus, it re-energized Frantz.

"We're playing a different style with coach Davies," Frantz said. "I respect him a lot."

Davies said Frantz is just scratching the surface of how good he can be.

Davies has seen many impact players on offensive. Rarely has he seen a defensive player who can make such a difference.

"He's what (former University of Louisville basketball coach) Denny Crum used to call a 'quick jumper,'" Davies said. "He understands defense. He's rarely out of position and he has a consciousness of where the ball is."

The word is out on Frantz. Teams are hesitant to challenge him, which, in turn, has helped the Yellowjackets (10-2, 8-0) to yield a section-low 43 points per game.

"I think the big thing is he is more involved now," Davies said. "He's much more mature as a player and getting better every day.

"He allows us to be more aggressive on defense because the players know he's back there to clean things up," the coach said.

Frantz hasn't been a mere shot blocker this season. He also leads the team in scoring (13 points per game), rebounding (10.6) and steals (4.0).

"I'm more comfortable in my role: when to shoot, when to pass," Frantz said. "I'm getting into a rhythm."

Still, Frantz's No. 1 role is to be a human no-trespassing sign.

The Freeport basket is his. Everyone else, keep out.

"I'm definitely influencing shots," Frantz said. "People can try to go away from me, but I'll find them."