Defensive Film-Room: Versatile Forwards
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One of my favorite kinds of players can defend all five positions. The value of a mobile big is more valuable at the next level than it is in WIAA basketball. With no shot clock in Wisconsin, guards can isolate…
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Continue ReadingOne of my favorite kinds of players can defend all five positions. The value of a mobile big is more valuable at the next level than it is in WIAA basketball. With no shot clock in Wisconsin, guards can isolate bigs for the entire half if they want to, as long as they don’t get whistled for five seconds closely guarded. At the next level, with a shot clock, the ability to keep guards contained on the perimeter is valuable, and these are four forwards who can do that.
Madilyn Dogs Madilyn Dogs 6'0" | CG Kewaskum | 2023 State WI -6’0 F-’23-Kewaskum: On the defensive end of the floor, Dogs is a swiss army knife. The junior is the key to the way Kewaskum plays defense. They usually run a full-court press that relies on Dogs’ ability to move to put pressure on whoever receives the inbound pass, and it works. The junior also reads the game extremely well. When Dogs gets a steal, it usually leads to a layup because most of her steals come on the perimeter or in the backcourt. Dogs is quick enough and big enough to engulf almost any guard defensively and long enough to contest bigs at the rim.
Kallie Peppler Kallie Peppler 6'0" | PF Hortonville | 2024 State WI -6’0 G/F-’24-Hortonville: The younger Peppler has been a perfect fit on Hortonville her first two seasons. I’m not exactly sure what her best position is at the next level is yet, but I know she’ll be able to defend at the next level. Peppler is a key piece for the Polar Bears’ ability to put unbelievable pressure on opposing ball handlers. With the construction of the Polar Bear roster, Peppler didn’t defend opposing teams’ best players. The sophomore plays such a great help-side defensive role that I’m not sure if she’s at her very best guarding an opposing team’s best player. Watching Peppler read offenses from the opposite side of the floor is a treat.
Kelsey Cooper Kelsey Cooper 6'1" | C St. Croix | 2024 State WI -6’1 F-’24-St. Croix Falls: Cooper is one of the more athletic players in Wisconsin. The sophomore is quick in small spaces, and her size makes it hard for guards to get around her. It helps that Cooper has long arms, and her leaping ability makes it difficult to even shoot over her on the perimeter. Although Cooper plays at a school that isn’t necessarily a power Division 3 power, she has made a name for herself as a high-level athlete.
MiKayla Werner MiKayla Werner 6'0" | PF Hortonville | 2024 State WI -6’0 F-’24-Hortonville: Werner is another reason the Hortonville defense works so well. The sophomore’s size and mobility cause opposing teams issues every second when Werner is on the floor. Werner moves like a guard running in transition. The Polar Bears are also so good as a unit defensively that everyone looks good within their defense. Werner is no exception, but the fact she’s earned the opportunity to play gives me the thought that she’s even better than her stats may suggest. She has a lot of signs of a kid who will translate at the next level defensively.