Brady’s All Defensive Team
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I want to have a little fun today by naming who I’d select for an All-Defensive Team. I’ll list two guards and three forwards. Guards Shae Kelley Shae Kelley 5'9" | PG Brookfield East | 2024 State WI -5’9 PG-’24-Brookfield…
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Continue ReadingI want to have a little fun today by naming who I’d select for an All-Defensive Team. I’ll list two guards and three forwards.
Guards
Shae Kelley Shae Kelley 5'9" | PG Brookfield East | 2024 State WI -5’9 PG-’24-Brookfield East
What Kelley can do defensively is incredible. Having her on the floor could make even the worst defenses competent. The sophomore is a threat to create a turnover at all times. I’ve seen the Spartans full-court press utilize Kelley to double the ball handler in the backcourt, and it works more often than it doesn’t. The Spartans’ defense is good at every position, but having Kelley makes their defense one of the best around because I’m confident she can handle almost any defensive assignment in the state.
Kailey Wozniak Kailey Wozniak 5'9" | CG Pius Xi Catholic | 2023 State WI -5’9 G/F-’23-Pius XI
I’ve seen Wozniak play three times now, and it took until the third time I saw her play to realize how good she is on defense. Against Pewaukee, the Lady Pope guarded one of the best wings in the state, and she shined. The Pirates isolated her more times than I remember, and Wozniak stuck to her assignment like glue. I value that level of on-ball defense against elite offensive wings above all else, and Wozniak has the mentality and determination to do that repeatedly.
Forwards
Madilyn Dogs Madilyn Dogs 6'0" | CG Kewaskum | 2023 State WI -6’0 F-’23-Kewaskum
Every coach should be intrigued by a defensive prospect like Dogs. The Kewaskum junior is a six-foot wing who is a problem solver. The defensive versatility that she possesses is incredible. I’d be as comfortable asking her to smother a guard on the perimeter as I would be asking her to guard a six-foot-three post player. There is no scheme where Dogs wouldn’t thrive within. Outside of elite on-ball defense, the versatility to defend one to five is my favorite ability that defensive prospects can have.
Kallie Peppler Kallie Peppler 6'0" | PF Hortonville | 2024 State WI -6’0 F-’24-Hortonville
Peppler is a lot like the Kewaskum forward. I was at Hortonville’s games against Germantown and Appleton East, and what she did defensively against East was unbelievable. The Polar Bear guarded the Patriots’ lead guard, who’s one of the best playmakers and shooters in the state. When Peppler defended her, she used her five-inch height advantage to smother her. Having a kid like Peppler is valuable to a team looking to win a state title because there isn’t a matchup that will overwhelm her. The sophomore has both the elite on-ball defense and defensive versatility I love.
Nevaeh Thomas Nevaeh Thomas 6'0" | SF Kenosha Bradford | 2023 State WI -6’0 F-’23-Kenosha Bradford
The Kenosha Bradford forward finds ways to make plays on the ball all of the time. Thomas is one-tenth of a steal away from averaging three steals and three blocks. I selected Thomas due to her ability to play as a rim protector and find ways to create turnovers. The junior’s ability to make plays is something that coaches would love. I adore the versatility that she has shown over this season, and she belongs on this list.