Brady’s Observations: Defensive Prospects

<span data-preserver-spaces="true">After attending around 30 games this regular season, I’ve seen a lot of talented players. I want to highlight some players who stood out to me this season. These four players are different in how they excel on the defensive end, and I respect what they do. The players listed are in no particular order.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="379639" first="Bella" last="Oestreicher"]-5’9 SG-’23-Beaver Dam</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">I’ve highlighted the x-factor that Oestreicher can be offensively, but I want to touch on what she does defensively. The Golden Beaver may not be a 6-foot-1 guard, but it feels like she is watching her smother her assignment. I’ve seen her play four times now, and every time I watch her, it amazes me how much she takes away what opposing guards want to do. I have no measurements, but the junior is active and feels taller than her height would suggest. If you ask Oestreicher about her defensive game, you’ll likely hear talk about how she can get better because she isn’t a player who is content with who she is right now. Until she’s done playing the game, Oestreicher will be getting better, and that’s admirable.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="264945" first="Lili" last="Hartel"]-5’9 G/F-’23-Mukwonago</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">If you don’t lock in and watch Hartel on the defensive end, you’ll miss what makes her special. The Mukwonago wing works incredibly hard off the ball to make the opposing teams’ best player work for every inch of space. I wouldn’t be surprised if she doesn’t average that many steals. I say that is because it’s rare for her. After all, she’s forcing catches 35-feet from the basket. When I say that, I also want to highlight that Hartel forces turnovers, just maybe not many steals. The junior forces misplaced passes and poor decisions, leading to turnovers. For coaches interested in Hartel, I highly suggest that you watch what she does against some of the best players in the state away from the ball. It’s art.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Lucy Leininger-5’10 F-’24-Germantown</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">I’ve highlighted how important the Warhawk will be to her teams’ success this season. That said, on the defensive end, there isn’t much she can’t do. The sophomore averaged three blocks and over three steals. Outside of some foul issues, she’s an elite defensive prospect. Although she’s slightly undersized for a forward, she excels in that role. I haven’t seen many other players protect the paint at the level Leininger does, just as a sophomore. I fully expect her to clean up some of the foul issues over time and become one of the most interesting forward prospects in the Class of 2024.</span> <strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="206575" first="Lexi" last="Bugajski"]-6’0 F-’23-New Berlin Eisenhower</span></strong> <span data-preserver-spaces="true">The forward is the epitome of versatility. On the offensive end, Bugajski is one of the best passing forwards. She’s equally likely to score 20 as she is to pick apart defenses with passes. The ability that Bugajski has to switch onto guards is indispensable. The unique part about her defensive game is that there isn’t a place on the floor where the Lion wouldn’t excel. Her size and athleticism would qualify her to guard some of the best perimeter players, and her strength would make her a capable defender in the paint. I believe the school she ends up at at the next level will be better because of her presence immediately.</span>