Standout Defenders: 2022

Standout Defenders: 2022<img class="size-medium wp-image-179377 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/06/Generic-Featured-Image-3-300x187.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="187" /> Below is a list of players in the class of 2022 who have shown they are elite defenders. They are focused and committed to their defensive play and impact the game with their ability to alter shots and offenses. [player_tooltip player_id="155421" first="Emily" last="LaChapell"] | Appleton East | Flight Elite | 5’11 G One of the top defenders in her state, LaChapell is extremely athletic on the defensive end. She uses her height to her advantage and keeps her hands active each minute she is on the floor. She has great court vision and can guard multiple positions on the floor. She can defend on the perimeter and rebound against bigger opponents. [player_tooltip player_id="132383" first="Jordana" last="Reisma"] | Brown Deer | WI Shooters | 6’2 F<img class="wp-image-189419 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/07/Jordana-296x300.jpg" alt="" width="195" height="198" /> Reismas skill set is improving rapidly on the defensive end. Her awareness and urgency is super impressive. At her height, she has a vast amount of balance on the floor and a great understanding for her positioning when blocking shots. During her sophomore season at Brown Deer she began to take chances and improve her shot blocking ability. She continued this to her summer season and has been a shot blocking machine for WI Shooters. She has high hands and rarely draws a foul on the inside. A solid rebounder as well she uses her height to get position and keep the ball high on a board. [player_tooltip player_id="132372" first="Kamy" last="Peppler"] | Hortonville | Flight Elite | 5’6 G Peppler is a scrappy defender that rattles the cage of almost every player she defends. She’s high pressured and super intense on the floor, moving super quick and causing the offensive play to make quick decisions or cause a turnover. She is eager to grab a steal and is passionate while guarding the opposing team’s best player. Ja’Cia Cunningham | Milwaukee School of Languages | IL Meanstreets | 5’8 G<img class=" wp-image-189418 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2020/07/Cunningham-218x300.jpg" alt="" width="161" height="222" /> Cunningham is a rare all around player who gives intensity and talent to every aspect of the game. While known for her talented offensive play and ability to shoot the lights out of the gym, Cunningham has become quite the defensive standout as well. She’s super quick and adjusts well to dynamic opponents. Her footwork is elite and she is very skilled at turning the offense player- causing them to take difficult shots. Her active hands help her as well as she is disruptive by reaching in when off the ball. [player_tooltip player_id="132375" first="Grace" last="Schmidt"] | Watertown Luther Prep | WI Lakers | 6’1 PF Schmidt stood out during her sophomore season for her ability to impact the game with rebounds. Both offensive and defensive, Schmidt is intense and beyond talented. Her ability to rebound is almost effortless. She generates multiple opportunities for her team by grabbing boards or blocking shots- also doing well finding her teammates in transition. She has an electric motor on defense and is rarely seen slouching or tired while on the ball. A 6’1 standout who could guard on the perimeter as well if necessary. [player_tooltip player_id="132378" first="McKenna" last="Monogue"] | Middleton | Flight Elite | 6’1 G Monogue is another prospect who has shown she can impact the game by guarding multiple positions on the floor. She defends well in a fast paced system and isn’t frazzled by a high tempo offense. She is focused on defense and plays very light on her toes. Her athleticism is very impressive for her size and position, especially when guarding a prospect who is much smaller and quicker than her, Monogue still thrives. She will be a go-to defender for her high school squad and continues to show how effective she is on the perimeter and in the lane for her Flight Elite team. [player_tooltip player_id="132394" first="Sidney" last="Scruggs"] | Riverside | 5’5 G Sruggs is simply just a lightning bolt on the floor. Her energy is contagious, along with her defense and active hands. She’s in your face the entire floor and picks up the full length of the court. Her awareness is impressive. She knows when the best opportunities are to attempt a steal or get a deflection. She grabs almost every loose basketball and reacts really quickly to bad passes or difficult shots. At 5’5, she is surprisingly strong in the lane and will grab rebounds over taller players due to her strength and ability to hold a box out.