2021-’22 Preview: Versatile Defenders

<span data-preserver-spaces="true">With the season right around the corner, I’m going to start making state-wide previews. My first article is about some of the most versatile defenders in the state. I view versatility as a mixture of switchability, composure to play in a zone, and aggressive enough to double and jump passing lanes. This list isn’t listing the four most versatile in Wisconsin. </span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="156076" first="Braelyn" last="Torres"]-5’8 G-’23-Kettle Moraine: </span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Torres is one of the best perimeter defenders in the state. Torres is intelligent defensively, which constantly demonstrates her understanding of opposing offenses. Torres is quick and makes the right reads on pick and rolls more often than not. When Torres switches on defense, it resembles a 4x100 relay team. When she takes the responsibility of the new defender, the pick almost seems useless. Torres has a knack for being in the best position to make plays. She even has enough size to get blocks on some rear contests to be a problem for offense all the time.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="206731" first="Lily" last="Truchon"]-5’11 G-’23-South Shore: </span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Truchon is a big guard who can make plays pressuring the point of attack. One of Truchon’s best traits is her instinct to know when to leave her assignment to make plays, either doubling on a post or reading passing lanes from across the court. Truchon put up absurd numbers a year ago. Truchon earned four and a half steals and two blocks a game. Even before finding film of her knowing that those were her numbers makes you take notice. Her last two seasons will probably look like more of the same. However, her summers will let everyone know how gifted she is on a bigger stage.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="156067" first="Neveah" last="Thomas"]-6’0 G/F-’23-Kenosha Bradford: </span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Thomas is a playmaker on the defensive end. Much like with Truchon, her numbers force you to take notice. Thomas earned four blocks along with two steals a game. Thomas is a very fluid athlete who excels in making plays happen. Over the next few years, if she continues to improve her reading of the game defensively, she has a chance to be the best defender in the state.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="347159" first="Brooke" last="Lechleitner"]-6’0 G/F-’22-Holcomb: </span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">I have, to mention the blocks leader a season ago. Lechleitner has been dominant for Lake Holcombe defensively. After averaging six and a half blocks and four steals a game. She is aggressive defensively Lechleitner is constantly slapping at the ball. I can’t say she is the best in the state, but what I can say is she is one of the best playmakers defensively going into her senior year.</span> &nbsp;