Southern Illinois Top Perimeter Defenders

In this article we explore the top perimeter defensive players in Southern Illinois. These girls have some obvious traits in common. They are quick, they are long and have mental toughness about them. Offense is fun and gets attention in the newspaper/online. Defense wins championships. While many of these players can immediately turn defense into offense, make no mistake, they play it win games. &nbsp; <ul> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="124880" first="Adrenna" last="Snipes"] is a 5’5 2022 Guard from Alton Marquette. Adrenna had 5.6 steals per game, breaking the school record for the second year in a row. She now has 338 steals in two years. Adrenna uses her exceptional quickness and great hands to create turnovers in the press. She is also a very good on and off the ball half court defender.</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="123609" first="Tori" last="Standefer"] is a 5’7 2021 Guard. Tori came in as a freshman showing immediate promise as one of the best defenders coming through CM in years. Her ability to pressure the ball in the run and jump combined with the ability to read passes and get steals coming from the off the ball is an outstanding combination.</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="159965" first="Madyson" last="Rigdon"] is a 5’8 2022 Guard from Paris. Madyson has very long arms and legs that she uses to her advantage. She can cover ground with great quickness and speed which allows her to stay in front of the offensive player. Madyson uses her long arms to contest every shot and pass that is made. She has proven her ability to slow down some of the best scorers in the Southern half of the state.</li> <li>Aubrey Mister is a 5’7 2021 Guard from O’Fallon. Aubrey is a very high level soccer player who uses that exceptional footwork on the basketball court to slow down opposing scorers. She has very long arms which she uses to contest shots especially against taller players. Aubrey shows extreme toughness when defending players that are stronger than her, but do not mistake her thin frame for weakness, she will battle with anyone.</li> <li>Natalie Iberg is a 5’8 2021 Wing from Greenville. Natalie has shown for two years how she can use her exceptional length and athletic ability to harass opposing offensive players. She is able to use those god given skills to make long close outs and keep pressure on the ball. Natalie has the unique ability to be a great defender both on and off the ball. She has shown the ability to stifle a ball handler in a press situation but is also exceptional off the ball reading passes and help side responsibilities.</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="160147" first="Lamiya" last="Terrell"] is a 5’7 2022 Guard from Belleville West. Lamiya earned her wings stepping in as a starter as a freshman in the SWC. In her second year as a starter she really showcased her long and wiry frame that she uses to apply pressure on the ball for 94 feet. Lamiya averaged over 2 steals per game while playing against top level competition all season.</li> <li>Chloe Book is a 5’7 2021 Guard from Breese Central. Chloe has a great combination of athletic ability and toughness that makes her a top level defender. She is very quick and has strength, especially in her legs, that allows her to compete with bigger girls. Chloe has very good lateral movement which she uses to cut off drives to the basket and make close outs on shooters. Her strength and toughness allows her to defend in the post against girls with a height advantage.</li> <li>Nariah Parks is a 5’4 2021 Guard from Althoff Catholic. Nariah uses jitterbug like quickness to cause havoc for opposing offenses. She shows the ability to play in different systems either one on one or causing problems at the top of a zone. Nariah can limit scorers with her ability to stay with them off the dribble or around screens. She will then apply pressure with long arms and great jumping ability as they attempt to shoot.</li> <li>Bailey Wallbaum is a 5’7 Guard from Porta. Bailey is an exceptional defender that can lock down on opposing point guards. She will use her great quickness and mental toughness to stay in front of them and create a wall between them and the basket. Bailey understands and executes the fundamentals of on ball and help side defense which allows her to be a leader by example for her team.</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="123619" first="Asya" last="Smith"] is a 5’5 2021 Guard from Pleasant Plains. Asya is a very strong, smart player that knows how to play defense and where to be. She has played quality minutes since her freshman year on a high level team. Asya was a vital two way player for the state championship team in 2A. She uses her strength to be able to body up offensive players and keep them from getting to their desired spots.</li> <li>Ensley Tedeschi is a 6ft 2023 WIng from Benton. Ensley is super long and super thin. Think Kevin Durant when he was a freshman in high school. She uses that length to make her a special defender. Ensley tips passes, gets steals, contests shots and just plain makes life difficult for the player she is guarding. She can block shots and be a one player press but stopping the ball from ever even getting in bounds.</li> <li>[player_tooltip player_id="160149" first="Alecia" last="Doyle"] is a 5’7 2022 Guard from Carterville. Alecia has long arms for her size and has a definite toughness about her. Alecia has the quickness to stay in front of the girls she is guarding and keep them on the perimeter. She is tough and smart which allows her to be in the right spot all the time and then defend that spot.</li> </ul> This group will be fun to watch next year as they attempt to change the game from the defensive side of the ball. &nbsp;