SW Ohio Week 12 Defenders

Yesterday we looked at some of the top shooters last week in the games I attended: Minster at Springfield Catholic, Tippecanoe at Butler and Franklin at Brookville. Today, it’s the other side of the ball as I talk about some of the top defenders that I saw in action last week. <span style="font-family: ’arial black’, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">[player_tooltip player_id="91110" first="Ashleigh" last="Mader"], 5-8 2021, Tippecanoe</span></strong></span> Forget the fact that she leads the MVL in assists, along with her offensive explosion she has shown the last couple of weeks. What also really impressed me about Ashleigh’s game is her solid on-ball defense against some of the top players in the MVL Miami Division. She guarded [player_tooltip player_id="32622" first="Macie" last="Taylor"], [player_tooltip player_id="93536" first="Sami" last="Bardonaro"] and [player_tooltip player_id="93557" first="Allie" last="Stockton"] and did a great job slowing down those three offensive machines. Mader is quick and disruptive forcing a lot of turnovers and locked down her defender with solid footwork and active hands. <span style="font-family: ’arial black’, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">[player_tooltip player_id="215222" first="Kensie" last="Black"], 5-7 2024, Franklin</span></strong></span> Super athletic which she uses to her advantage defending opposing guards. She moves well and has quickness which forces her opponent into bad shots. Smart heady player with a good basketball IQ, and can use her defense to create turnovers and into fast-break opportunities for her team. <span style="font-family: ’arial black’, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Malarie Ross, 6-2 2022, Brookville</span></strong></span> Long and lanky, the post player can step away from the basket and defend all positions. Does an excellent job in both aspects of her defensive game, including the ability to block or alter shots. Moves well in the paint, and one thing she does well is uses her athletic ability to rebound and kick out for the transition game. Her game has improved and watch for her this summer. <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: ’arial black’, sans-serif;">[player_tooltip player_id="92522" first="Mallory" last="Mullen"], 5-11 2022, Springfield Catholic</span></strong> Her offensive game is coming along nicely, but for now, Mallory uses her athleticism to create opportunities for her teammates. Excellent on the boards, maybe the best rebounder in Ohio. Also can elevate to defend around the rim, good body control and strong hands. Her long frame causes havoc for her opponents. <span style="font-family: ’arial black’, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">[player_tooltip player_id="216011" first="Jordyn" last="Smoot"], 5-9 2024, Springfield Catholic</span></strong></span> Hard to believe she is only a freshman, she plays like an upperclassman. She harasses her opponent into a turnover, very athletic and quick, able to use active hands to get control of the ball. Very good on-ball defender. Thinks ahead of the game. Excellent prospect and a player coaches should look at this summer.