Great Lakes Challenge: Post Defenders

Let’s face it, every coach, college included, wants a player that can get after it on the defensive end. There was a lot of talent at the Prep Girls Hoops Circuit’s Great Lakes Challenge when it came to defense in the paint. Let’s take a look at some outstanding post defenders that I noticed last weekend. <strong>Hayleigh Amey (2024, MBA Timmers 2024,, NorthePointe Christian)</strong> Amey is a power forward so I included her here with the post defenders, but she really did her damage playing pressure defense. She has a really nice understanding of the half court trap and how to make it work. Amey positioned herself perfectly every chance that she got. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="189293" first="Faith" last="Carson"] (2023, 6-5, UTS Elite 2023, Buchanan)</strong> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-289845" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/05/Faith-Carson-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Carson is a top 70 prospect in the country and her defense is a large part of that. She can control the lane on the defensive end with her elite strength. <strong>Ni’rah Clark (2024, 6-3, Ohio United 2024, Toledo Early High School)</strong> Clark was a force in the paint on defense. She used her length and height to wall off her opponent and seemed to block shots with regularity. <strong>Lola Lampley (2026, 6-2, Ohio United 2024, Fall Creek Valley Middle School)</strong> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-289466" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/05/Lola-Lampley-300x168.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="168" /> For her age, to be able to defend and get stops all over the floor, was a miraculous site to see. Lampley knew when to keep her arms wide and engulf the offensive player and when to play high and pick up a stop. <strong>Kendal Taylor (2023, 6-2, Tipping Point 2023, Concord)</strong> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-289432" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/05/Kendal-Taylor-300x168.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="168" /> Taylor is a really steady and strong defender. I thought she was one of the more talented and consistent 2 way post players at the event. Taylor played a physical brand of basketball and was effective in doing so. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="280870" first="Jenna" last="Vandenbrink"] (2023, 5-11, MBA Lakeshore 2022, Holland Christian)</strong> VandenBrink had the awareness needed to use her length to disrupt the passing lanes. She created multiple turnovers from the back end of the defense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="280221" first="Rachel" last="Williams"] (2023, Hype Athletics 2023 Red 16u, Canton)</strong> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-289535" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/05/Rachel-Williams1-300x168.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="168" /> Williams made a name for herself and made a statement at the Great Lakes Challenge. She had one of the toughest matchups in the country, and she was relentless in her task. Williams D’ed up with intensity and quickness in the lane. She has underrated strength and athleticism on the defensive end as well.